History of Lee County

JOHN DIXON.

HEISTOHY

LEE COUNTY,

TOGKTHEK WITH

BIOGRAPHICAL MATTER, STATISTICS, ETC.

GATHERED FROM INTERVIEWS WITH OLD SETTLERS, COUNTY,

TOWNSHIP AND OTHER RECORDS, AND EXTRACTS

FROM FILES OF PAPERS, PAJMPIILETS. AND

SUCH OTHER SOURCES AS HAVE

BEEN AVAILABLE.

CHICAGO:

H. H. HILL AND COMPANY. PUBLISHERS.
1881.

SAUK VALLEY COLIiOt
LRC 67SS?

PREFACE.

In presenting the History of Lee County to the public the editors
and publishers have had in view the preservation of certain valuable
historical facts and information which without concentrated effort
would not have been obtained, but with the passing away of the old
pioneers, the failure of memory, and the loss of public records and
private diaries, would soon have been lost. This locality being com-
paratively new, we Hatter ourselves that, with the zeal and industry
displayed hy our general and local historians, we have succeeded in
rescuing from the fading years almost every scrap of history worthy
of preservation. Doubtless the work is, in some respects, imper-
fect;— we do not present it as a model literary effort, but in that
which goes to make up a valuable book of reference for the present
reader and future historian, we assure our patrons that neither money
nor time has been spared in the accomplishment of the work. Per-
haps some errors will be found. With treacherous memories, per-
sonal, political and sectarian prejudices and preferences to contend
against, it would be almost a miracle if no mistakes were made.
We hope that even these defects, which may be found to exist, may
be made available in so far as they may provoke discussion and call
attention to corrections and additions necessary to perfect history.

In the writing of the general county histor}^ Dr. Cochi'an has
had the advice and constant counsel of many of the early settlers of
the county, to whom the manuscript was submitted and by them
approved ; and while there may be some mistakes, it is thought that it
would hardly be possible, after so many years with nothing to depend
upon for many of the facts but the memories of the early settlers,
that it is as nearly correct as it could ]>nssibly be nuxde. Certain it is
that at no time in the future could such a work be undcrtak^-ii with
circumstances so favorable for the production of a reliable record
of the early times of Lee county.

6 PREFACE.

The townsliip histories, by E. S. Ricker, Prof. J. H. Atwood, C.
F. Atwood, and others, will be Ibiiiid full of valuable recollections,
which but for their patient research must soon have been lost for-
ever, but which are now happily preserved for all ages to come.
These gentlemen have placed upon Lee county a nitirk which will
not be obliterated, but which will grow brighter and broader as the
years go by.

The biographical department contains the names and private
sketches of nearly every person of importance in the county. A
few person, whose sketches we should be pleased to have presented,
for various reasons refused or delayed furnishing us with the desired
information, and in this matter only we feel that our work is incom-
plete. However, in most of such cases we have (obtained, in regard
to the most important persons, some items, and have woven them
into the county or township sketches, so that, as we believe, we can-
not be accused of either partiality or prejudice.

LIST OF PORTRAITS.

John Dixon (Fmntispifiee).

W. E. Ives, .

. 413

J. A. Werntck,

. 43

VoLNEY Bliss, .

429

AbIJAII PoWETiS,

61

Ira Brewer,

. 447

C. C. Hunt, . . .

. 7!)

97

. Ho

C. B. ThummeLi^

463

Abiiam Buown,

toHN H. Page,

. ^ 481

J. N. Hills, ....

(TEOR'tElH.. Page,

497

Alexander Charters,

138

E. H. Johnson,

. 515

Joseph Crawford,

. 151

A. P. Dysart, .

531

W. W. Bethea,

16!)

John Yetter,

. 549

W. H. Van Epps, .

. 187

Isaac Thompson,

565

H. T. Noble,

205

G. W. Hewitt,

. 583

John Dement,

. 323

U. C. Koe,

599

James A. Hawley, .

241

S. F. Mills, .

. 617

E. B. Stiles,

. 25!)

K A. Petrie, .

635

Riley Paddock,

277

Walter Litti,e,

. 653

George Ryon,

293

David Smith,

671

Lewis Clapp, .

311

William McMahan,

. 689

Alvah Hale,

. 327

J. H. Braffet, .

707

James H. Preston,

345

W. M. Strader, .

. 725

Chester S. Badger,

. 361

Gkorge M. Berkley,

743

Isaac Edwards,

37!>

William J. Fritz,

. 761

John B. Wyman, .

. 395

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

DISCOVERY AND EARLY HISTORY.

In sketching the history of Lee county we must take the
reader back to the early days of the northern part of the State of
Illinois, embraced in the great territory lying northwest of the Ohio-
river. This territory, embracing northern Illinois, was discovered
by Jacques Marquette, and Louis Joliet in 1673. Marquette was a
French Jesuit missionary, and Joliet was a Quebec fur-trader.
These men had penetrated the wilderness of Canada to the upper
lakes, each engaged in his appropriate occupation. The French,
missionary, wliile at La Pointe, received information through the
Illinois tribes who had been driven by the Iroquois from their hunt-
ing grounds on the shores of Lake Michigan to a region thirty
days' journey to the west, that there existed a "-great river" flow-
ing through grassy plains on which grazed countless herds of buffa-
loes. The same information had been received by Dablon and
AUouez, two missionaries, who wer6 exploring Wisconsin from the
Miamis and IMaskoutens. This information resulted in the appoint-
ment, by the governor of Canada, of Joliet to explore the "Great
River." Pierre Mai'quette was chosen to accompany him, "for in
those days religion and commerce went hand in hand." Joliet fitted
out the expedition, which consisted of "two canoes and five voy-
ageurs, and a supply of corn and smoked meat ; and May 27, 1673,.
the little band left St. Ignace for their perilous voyage through an
unknown country, preoccupied by wild beasts, reptiles, and hostile
savages." Coasting to the head of Green Bay, they "ascended the
Fox river ; crossed Lake Winnebago, and followed up the quiet and
tortuous stream beyond the portage ;" launched their canoes in the
waters of the Wisconsin, and without their Indian guides they
swept down this stream until they caught sight of the hills which
bound the valley of the "Great River," and at nightfall landed, to
eat their evening repast on the banks of the broad Mississippi, for
which they launched their canoes one month before. They floated
3

10 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

down the mighty current to the Arkansas, where they were com-
pelled to return because of the hostility of the Indians, who on the
lower Mississippi were furnished with rifles by the Spaniards,

Having determined to return to the north, on July 17, one
month from the discovery of the Mississippi, they launched their
canoes and started on the returning voyage ; and reaching the
mouth of the Illinois river they ascended this stream until they came
to a small village, then known as Kaskaskia, about seven miles
below Ottawa. Here they procured guides, who conducted them
up the stream to the head of the Des Plaines, when b}^ an easy port-
age thef entered the Chicago river, and thus reached Lake Illinoise
(now Lake Michigan), and were the first white men to visit what is
the present site of the city of Chicago, more than two hundred years
ago. From that point they passed up the western coast of Lake
Michigan northward, reaching Green Bay late in the month of Sep-
tember, after an absence of four months, and having traveled more
than twenty-five hundred miles. Here Joliet separated from his
traveling companion, Pierre Marquette, and '■'•hastened to Quebec to
announce to the governor the results of the expedition ; but almost
in sight of Montreal, in the rapids of La Chine, his canoe upset, a
portion of his crew were drowned, and he himself narrowly escaped,
with the loss of all his papers."

Joliet never returned to this territory ; but engaged in the fur
trade with the Indians of Hudson's Bay. Aftei- receiving from his
government, "in consideration of his sei'vices, a grant of the
islands of Mignan and Anticosti, he engaged in the fisheries." and
subsequently explored the coasts of Labrador. "He was made royal
pilot for the St. Lawrence, and also hydrographer at Quebec. He
died poor, about 1699 or ITOO, and was buried on one of the islands
of Mignan."

Marquette, however, through love of humanity and devotion to
the cross and the work of the Master, returned to the Illinois valley
late in the following autumn to preach to the benighted people of
that region. Leaving Green Bay in October of 1674, he with two
voyageurs started for the Chicago river, up which stream they
ascended to a point about six miles above the present locality of the
city of Chicago. Here he built a hut to shelter him from the storms
of winter, in which he remained until the following spring, when
he performed his last acts of devotion to his favorite cause — the
mission of the cross to the children of the forest — and with which
were associated the romantic sadness and sweet peace of the closing
scenes of the life of this noble man. Through the exposures of the
•expedition to the Mississippi and Illinois the previous summer, he

DISCOVERY AND EARLY HISTORY. 11

contracted a disease which proved to be fatal. Having suffered
much from hemorrhage he was illy prepared for his return to the mis-
sion field. His frail constitution suffered much from the exposures
of the voyage to Chicago, being late in autumn. The cold October
winds swept the lake and tossed them on a rough sea and drenched
them with cold rains. Their rude tents and camp-fires were insuf-
cient to give protection in the cold, damp October nights. The
hemorrhage from which he had previously suffered, returned and the
good man seemed conscious that he was making his last voyage in
time, and that the day was not far distant when he would cross that
river from beyond which there is no return. In their lonely hut he
and his two voyageurs spent the winter, surrounded by the wild
beasts that roamed over the prairies and wandered through the for-
ests from the waters of the Ohio on the south to the snowbound
regions of the north ; and from their hut could be seen in their
native wilderness the bufi'alo, the deer, the bear, and the wild
turkey. The historian says, "with the return of spring his disease
relented, when he descended the river to the Indian village below
Ottawa, whei"e he gathered the people in a grand council, and
preached to them concerning heaven and hell, and the Yirgin,
whose protection he had specially invoked. A few days after Easter
he returned to Lake Michigan, when he embarked for Mackinac,
passing around the head of the lake beneath the great sand-dunes
which line the shore, and thence along the eastern margin to where
a small stream discharges itself into the great reservoir south of
the promontory, known as the 'sleeping bear.' Marquette had for
some time lain prostrate in the bottom of the canoe. The warm
breath of spring revived him not, and the expanding buds of the
forest did not arrest his dimmed gaze. Here he requested them to
land. Tenderly they bore him to the bank, and built for his shelter
a bark hut. He was aware that his hour had come. Calmly he
gave directions as to the mode of his burial, craved the forgiveness
of his companions if in ought he had offended them, administered
to them the sacrament, and thanked God that he was permitted to
die in the wilderness." The darkness of the night settled over the
scene, and ere the dawn of the inorning light the noble spirit of
Pierre Marquette had crossed the river that flows between this and
the brighter worlds beyond. Thus closed the life of him who
accompanied the first exploring expedition which discovered the
territory of this commonwealth, and he was the first christian mis-
sionary to raise the standard of the cross to natives of the north-
west. He died on May 18, 1675, and was buried on the bank of
the stream that bears his name. His remains were subsequently re-

12 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

moved to St. Ignace and deposited beneath the floor of the chapel
in which he had so often administered the sacred rites of his church.

The xext white man to tread the verdant soil of this territory was
a Frenchman residing at Fort Frontenac (now Kingston), by the
name of Kene-Eobert Cavelier Sieur De La Salle, commonly
known as La Salle. He was born at Rouen, France, in 1643, of an
" old aud afiiuent family." He left his native country and arrived
in Canada in 1666. He learned through the Seneca Iroquois that
there was a river called the Ohio which flowed to the sea at a dis-
tance of many months' journey. Having resolved to explore this
stream, he sold his possessions in order to procure the necessary
funds to carry out his plans. Connecting his enterprise with other
parties, they left La Chine with a party of seven canoes and twenty-
four men, attended by two canoes filled with Senecas, who acted as
guides to the party ; in all, a fleet of nine canoes, which ascended the
St. Lawrence to Lake Ontario, and along the southern shore of that
water to the mouth of the Genesee ; then passed Niagara under the
sound of the great cataract to the village, where, in September,
1669, he separated from the seminary party, who started with him,
and alone plunged into the unknown wihlerness of the west. Pass-
ina: Onondaga he reached an aflluent of Ohio twenty or twenty-five
miles from Lake Erie, and followed down thiss tream to its junction
with the Ohio, which he descended to the falls of Louisville, where
his voyageurs deserted him, which compelled him to abandon his ex-
plorations and return to Canada. The following year, 1670, he
passed the head of Lake Michigan and penetrated to the waters
of the Illinois, by which he reached the Mississippi, which he de-
scended to some miles below the mouth of the Ohio. But little is
known of the route over which he returned to Canada. This expe-
dition, however, prepared him for his future enterprise in the local-
ity of Illinois, which has perpetuated his name in history for
succeeding generations.

In contemplation of a return to the Illinois country. La Salle de-
signed the building of a vessel for a voyage around the lakes ; and
in the spring of 16S0 the " Gritiin " was launched at the mouth of
Cayuga Creek ; and on the 7th of August her sails were spread and
she started on her voyage, being the first vessel that ever plowed the
waters of the notrhern lakes. On reaching the islands at the en-
trance of Grreen Bay he disembarked all his stores and sent the
" Griffin" back ladened with furs with orders to return to him ; but
he never saw her again, and it still remains a mystery as to what
her fate^was, or what became of her crew. La Salle, however, was
not to be deterred from his purpose by even the loss of his favorite

DISCOVERY AND EARLY HISTORY. 13

vessel, but having swept down tlie western shore of Lake Michigan,
passed the mouth of the Chicago, and rounded the liead of the hike to
the mouth of the St. Joseph, which he called the Miamis, and landed
on the 1st of November. On the 3d of December he left the waters of
Michigan, and with fourteen men and four canoes he ascended the
St. Joseph to the present site of South Bend, Indiana, where he
crossed a portage of five miles to the waters of the Thealike, or
Haukiki, now Kankakee, conveying their canoes and cargo, by
which they descended the Kankakee, down through the swamps, and
meandered out into the great prairies to the valley of the Illinois,
and reached Peoria Lake on the 30th of January, 1680. He con-
structed a fort on the southern bank of the stream below the lake,
and named it Creve-coeur. '* This was the first civilized occupation
of Illinois." After commencing the building of a vessel for the
waters of the Mississippi valley, La Salle returned for an outfit
to Canada, a journey of fifty-five days, and reached Fort Frontenac
May 6, 1680. Soon after his departure from the new settlement on
the Illinois, which he left in charge of Lieut. Tonty, it was destroyed
by a band of Iroquois. He returned in the autumn of the same
season, and finding all laid waste he returned to St. Joseph, where
he spent the winter ; and in the following spring returned to Cana-
da, leaving the St. Joseph in May, 1681, passing Mackinac, where
he rejoined Tonty, and proceeded to Fort Frontenac, where he
accumulated the necessary resources, and late in the season re-
turned to the Hlinois with twenty-three Frenchmen, eighteen
Mohegan warriors and their ten women and three children. The
expedition consisted of fifty-four persons, and their journey, from
Fort Miamis on the lake to Fort Creve-coeur on the Illinois, was beset
with hardships and perils. "It was in the dead of winter when
they set out. La Salle placed the canoes on sledges, and thus they
were conveyed around the head of the lake to Chicago, thence across
the portage to the Des Plaines and even to Peoria Lake, where open
water was reached." Here they launched their canoes, and passing
the lake they swept down the Illinois to the Mississippi, and on the
6th of April reached the Gulf of Mexico, where they erected, on a
"dry spot," near the mouth of the Mississippi, a column to France
and decorated it with the French arms. The last of the summer
they returned to Illinois, and stopping at a point on that stream
known as the " Starved Rock," La Salle began at once to fortify that
bluff, which has become famous in the history of Illinois. This
fort he named St. Louis, which crowned the summit of a natural
fortress. "At the base of the cliff he gathered about him the
Indian inhabitants who were sheltered in log cabins and bark

14 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

lodges. The resident aboriginal inliabitants in the region amounted
to about -i.OOO warriors or 20,000 souls." We must here turn aside
from this great man, and refer the reader to "The Discovery of the
Great West," by Francis Parkman, for the study of his character and
wonderful career in the wilds of America.

From the building of Fort St. Louis the French continued to oc-
cupy Illinois. As early as 1720 they had a chain of forts extending
from Canada to the mouth of the Mississippi.

In 1T62, by the treaty of Fontainbleau, all the territory east of the
Mississippi with the reservation of the island of New Orleans was ceded
to the British, and the territory west of the great river, including
New Orleans, was granted to Spain. In 1765 the British took formal
possession of the country through the military authority of Capt.
Sterling, a British officer who was sent to exact allegiance from its in-
habitants.

The cession of this region to Great Britain and their occupancy of
the territory caused dissatisfaction among the natives, who were un-
willing to abandon tlieir hunting-grounds, to which many of them were
attached as the inheritance of their fathers. They determined to drive
the invaders from their soil, and under Pontiac, an Ottawa chief, who
was an ally of the French, had seen much service and was famous as a
great warrior. " He organized one of the most formidable combina-
tions that the English on this continent were ever called upon to en-
counter. Having embraced in the league all the tribes from the lakes
to the Carolinas and from the MississijDpi to the Alleghanies, he con-
ceived the idea of attacking simultaneously all the English forts
throughout the west, stretching from Mackinac to Cumberland, and
numbering not less than sixteen. He assigned particular tribes to per-
form a particular work, and on the appointed day the assault was made
and all but three of the forts succumbed. Pontiac himself led the
assault on Fort Detroit, but his scheme having been divulged by a
squaw the night previously, was unsuccessful."

Pontiac being disappointed in his attempt returned from further
warfare, and leaving his native haunts in the vicinity of Detroit, he
lodged on the banks of the Mississippi, near Cahokia, and here he
was. assassinated by an Indian (^f the Peoria tribe. This assassina-
tion is laid to the charge of the English, who resorted to this method
to remove a formidable enemy. It is presumed that his remains rest
near the place where he met his fate. The treacherous murder of the
great chief created great hostility against the tribes of Illinois from
those of the north, and the former were well nigh exterminated by
the latter.

"In 1765 Col. George Croghan was sent west as a commissioner

DISCOVERY AND EARLY HISTORY. 15

to conciliate the Indians. He descended the Ohio as far as Shawnee-
town, and thence proceeded to Vincennes, when, after pausing a few
days, he ascended the Wabash 210 miles to the Ouiatonon, or
Weastown as it was called by the Americans, and thence crossed over
to Detroit."

In 1776 the relations of tlie colonies with the mother country were
severed by the Declaration of Independence. This territory was held
under the state authorities of A^irginia. At this time the French were
still occupying the posts all along the Mississippi, and had manifested
a want of sympathy with the revolution struggle ; as they had affiliated
with the natives for nearly a century and had intermarried into the
various tribes, had done but little to improve the country but were
satisfied to live in a rude and uncivilized state, and looked with but
little favor upon any change of government or civilization that would
tend to disturb their manner of life. That they might be made feel
and acknowledge the sovereignty of the United States, the governor
and council of Virginia sent an expedition of two hundred men, who
enlisted for three months, under the command of George Rogers
Clark, a Kentuck}^ backwoodsman, to occupy this territory. Clark
embarked with his force at Pittsburgh, and descended the Ohio river
to within forty miles of its mouth, where he landed, and after conceal-
ing his boats " he marched across the country to Kaskaskia, where the
first surrender was made without resistance ; their example being fol-
lowed by a general surrender and acknowledgment of the sovereignty
of the United States by taking the oath of allegiance to the constitu-
tional authorities of the government."

In October of that year (1776) the general assembly of the State
of Virginia constituted the county of Illinois, which embraced all the
territory north of the Ohio river. In this relation it remained until
1783, in which year that " state passed an act authorizing the cession
to the United States of this territory, and during the subsequent year
the deed was executed."

At a session of congress held in New York an ordinance was
passed June 11, 1787, titled "An ordinance for the government of
the territory of the United States Northwest of the Ohio." This act
forever excluded slavery from this part of the country, which has
proved to be a very important measure, in having much to do with
the future of this great nation ; for had this vast territory been open
to the introduction of American slavery it would have been quite
different with the progress and freedom which now characterize the
political and social economy of the nation ; and no people have
greater cause to be grateful for the wise enactment than those who
live on the fertile soil of the vast prairies of the northwest.

16 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

There were at this time but few Americans in this territory. Vir-
ginia having found it imjDracticable to maintain an outpost at so great
a distance in a wilderness, the men were "quartered on the French
residents, but ultimately were compelled to shift for themselves. And
a few Americans who had accompanied this expedition found their
way into the French villages along the Mississippi and remained."

In 1781 an expedition started from Maryland consisting of five
men, James Moore, Shadrach Bond, Robert Kidd, Larkin Ruther-
ford and James Garrison, who, taking their wives and children with
them, pushed out into the western wilds. They crossed the AUegha-
nies to the Ohio river, down which they passed to the Mississippi ;
thence up that stream to Kaskaskia, where they separated and settled
in different localities of that part of the territory. The first three
settled on what was known as the "American Bottom," while the
other two pushed on to Bellefountaine.

In the year 17S1 a small colony from the State of Massachusetts,
under the direction of Gen. Rufus Putnam, settled on the Ohio at
the mouth of the Muskingum river, on the present site of Marietta,
Ohio. It is claimed that this was the first organized English settle-
ment in this vast northwestern territory, and that Marietta is the
oldest town of the same origin northwest of the Ohio river.

"Prior to the year 1788 there were about forty-five improve-
ments made by Americans, which entitled each to 400 acres of land
"under a subsequent act of congress, which was passed in 1791."

The General Assembly of Virginia, on the 30th of December,
1788, passed an act authorizing the division of the Northwestern
Territory into republican states. In recognition of this the con-
gress of the United States, on August 7, 1789, passed enactments
providing for its government, and in 1791 there were but sixty-five
Americans who were capable of bearing arms.

First Oivil Government. — In 1788 Arthur St. Clair located at
Marietta, Ohio, to exercise official functions as governor of the terri-
tory, to which administrative position he had been appointed. Here
he organized a territorial government, and in 1790 he proceeded to
Kaskaskia on the Mississippi and effected a county organization,
which he named St. Clair. It was under this oflicial act that Illi-
nois was first placed under civil jurisdiction. The first territorial
legislature met at Cincinnati in September 1799, at which time Will-
iam Henry Harrison was elected the first delegate to congress.

On the 7th of May, 1800, the teri-itory was divided by an act of
congress, into two separate governments. At this time the popu-
lation of Illinois, which numbered about three thousand souls, were
>of French ancestry, and occupied the southern part of the state.

DISCOYEKY AND EARLY HISTOEY. 17

Under this governmental provision the territory remained but nine
years, when, in 1809, Illinois was set apart" to herself under a terri-
torial government; and in 1812 a legislature was convened and a
delegate to congress chosen.

The organization of the Illinois state government was authorized
by an act of congress passed on the 18th of April 1818 ; and on the
18th day of December following Illinois was admitted into the Union
as the twenty-second state.

Military Posts. — At the organization of the Illinois state gov-
ernment, the northern region of the state was not opened to settle-
ments, in which state it remained until after the Black Hawk war, in
1832 ; being occupied by the Chippewas, Ottawas, and Pottawato-
mies of the Illinois and Milwaukee. The government had, as early
as 1804, established a military post at Fort Dearborn, on the present
site of the city of Chicago. This fort was garrisoned with a com-
pany of infantry, who maintained amicable relations with the natives
until after the declaration of war, in 1812, when the Indians became
restless and gathered in the vicinity of the fort with evident signs of
hostility. Under orders from the war department. Captain Heald
negotiated with the Indians that he might withdraw from the fort,
leaving for them the "provisions and munitions in the fort." But,
true to the Indian character they ambuscaded the command when two
miles from the fort, but two or three escaping to record the fate of
their comrades. Four years following, in 1816, the fort w^as rebuilt
and garrisoned by two companies of infantry, who gathered the
bleaching bones of those who fell in the massacre four years before,
and carefully interred them with appropriate ceremonies.

Mineral . — The first discovery of coal ever made on the Amer-
ican continent was by Father Hennepin, a Jesuit priest, at Fort
Creve-coeur, on the Illinois, in 1879. He not only indicated on his
map a "coal-mine," but wrote in his journal that "there are mines
of coal, slate, and iron." The next discovery recorded was ninety
years later, in 1765, by Col. George Croghan, when as Indian
commissioner for the government he visited Illinois. He wrote in
his journal, " On the south side of the Ouabache (Wabash, probably
below Covington) runs a high bank in which are several fine coal-
mines." This precedes the discoveries of the Pennsylvania coal
beds, and strange as it seems the honor of the discovery of this
fossil product was left to the great prairie state of Illinois.

18 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

TOPOGRAPHY OF LEE COUNTY.

Geographical Position. — Lee county lies between 41 and 42 de-
grees north latitude, and its longitude is 12 degrees and 30 minutes
west of Washington. It is in the northern quarter of the' State of
Illinois in the third tier of counties from the northern boundary of
the state ; the eastern border of the county being near the median
line north and south between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi
river, and sixty-two miles west of Chicago. It is divided, north and
south, by the third principal meridian, leaving Ranges 1 and 2
east, and Ranges 8, 9, 10 and 11 west of said line.

Lee county embraces 792 square miles, and is bounded on the
east by De Kalb ; on the south by La Salle and Bureau ; on the
west by Whiteside, and on the north by Ogle county. ' The extreme
length of the county east and west is thirty six miles, and the ex-
treme width north and south is twenty-two on the western boundary
line, and eighteen on the eastern line. A variance arises from an
angle in the northern boundary line fourteen sections east of the
northwest cor er of the township where it turns to the south one
mile, thence east on the section line to the northeast corner of the
county, throwing the northern tier of sections from the point above
mentioned into Ogle county, though it geographically belongs to
Lee county. The northern boundary line also makes a deviation
to the north and south, folloAving the "grand detoure" of the river,
throwing all the land north of the detour into Ogle county.

The southern boundary beginning with Range 8, between
Townships 18 and 19, runs east to the third principal meridian,
where it turns three miles north on said line, then east to the south
east corner of the county. For convenience in civil purposes it is
divided into twenty-two civil townships.

In physical geography Lee is unsurpassed by any other county
in the state. It not only presents the quiet beauty of rounded out-
lines of the prairie, but the rugged grandeur of river bluffs and
rocky fastnesses. There are beautiful landscapes clothed with grassy
plains, interspersed with pleasant groves and forests of useful timber,
generally of a few hundred acres in extent, breaking the usual
monotony of the prairie landscape at very frequent intervals, and
affording a supply of fuel and fencing material. The county, how-
ever, is principally prairie.

The surface of the land in the county varies from the low swamps
of the south to the Rock river bluffs of the north. In the southwest
corner of the county we meet with the Winnebago swamp which
extends in a belt two and three miles in width across Hamilton
township from the southwest to the northeast into the north part of

TOPOGRAPHY OF LEE COUNTY. 19

East Grove and the south part of Marion townsliip, and sends a
branch west tlirough the southern portion of Harmon township.
This swamp is fed from the drainage of Inlet swamp, which is situ-
ated east of the center of the county embracing a portion of the west
of Viola township, the southeast corner of Bradford and the north-
east of Lee Center. The drainage of this into the Winnebago is
through Inlet creek which flows to the southwest, watering the Inlet
grove in Lee Center, passes to the south of the city of Amboy, and
spreads its waters into the latter swamp ; it is fringed in its meander-
ing course by groves of timber. As we go to the east from the
Winnebago swamp the land becomes rolling and of a sandy loam
soil of beautiful prairie dotted with groves to the eastern boundary
of the county. The Paw Paw grove, south of the village bearing
that name in Wyoming township, and Malugin's grove ten or twelve
miles east of the city of Amboy, are the largest in that part of the
county, each covering from one to two thousand acres. These fur-
nish much valuable timber for fuel and fencing purposes.

South of Amboy city we meet with a tract of timber-land embrac-
ing eighteen or twenty square miles. Along Rock river in the
northwest quarter of the county is found the largest timber supply.
Among the most valuable woods found there may be mentioned :
oak of different varieties, hickory, sugar maple, ash, poplar, etc. , of
abundant supply for present demands. Lee county, however, can-
not boast the luxuriant growth of timber found in other sections
of the country, as on the Ohio and Wabash rivers. Dr. Foster,
speaking of the northern part of the state, appropriately adds :
" The absence of a forest growth is no detriment to its development,
since beneath the surface at accessible depths are stored inexhausti-
ble supplies of fossil fuel, and the borders of the upper lakes are
fringed with forests of pine affording the best quality of lumber,
which can be delivered in the Chicago market at comparatively
cheap rates. The soil which sustains these pine forests contains only
three or four per cent of organic matter and is unfit for agriculture ;
while the prairie soil contains organic matter sufficient for fifty suc-
cessive crops." It is, therefore, more to the material interests of
the county to draw her supplies of lumber from other sources than
to divert her fertile acres from the growing of grain and other
products of husbandry.

Origin of the Prairies. — "This is not due," says Foster, "so
much to the mechanical texture, or chemical composition of the soil,
but to the unequal distribution of moisture. They are the phase in
a gradation between the densely wooded belt, where the moisture is
equally distributed, and the inhospitable desert, where it is nlniost

20 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

wholly withheld. The excess of moisture which is precipitated on
the plains during the spring and summer months, and the consequent
deficiency which ensues during the fall and winter months, are con-
ditions not favorable to the growth of trees. Leaving the thickly
wooded crests of the Alleghanies, and traveling westward to the
base of the Rocky mountains, the observer will witness the gradual
disappearance of those noble forms of arborescent vegetation which
are dependent for their growth on an abundant, equable supply of
moisture, and their final replacement by other forms, like the cactus
and artemisia, which flourish where the moisture is almost wholly
withheld."

Beginning on the east line of the county, five sections north of
the southeast corner and in the vicinity of Paw Paw, we find the be-
ginning of a ridge which extends westward two townships, where it
bears to the southwest through Sublette township, at which point is
the greatest altitude between Mendota and Dixon, sloping ofi" to the
Winnebago flats. There is a depression on the face of the land,
entering the county on the east and about midway north and south,
which runs westward through Willow and Yiola townships, then
bearing to the south it extends to the southwest corner of the county,
where we find the greatest depression. As we advance northward
we cross a ridge which passes from the eastern boundary along the
northern third of the county westward to the median line north and
south where it meets a like ridge extending down from the north,
then bearing southwest it becomes less prominent as it reaches the
western border of the county, between the low lands of the Winne-
bago swamp on the south and the tributaries to Rock river on the
north. As we advance to the north in the western third of the
county we come to the high lands and bluffs of Rock river, covered
with timber and presenting many attractions in connection with the
meandering waters of this beautiful and historic stream.

On the banks of Rock river and in the vicinity of Dixon are
natural observatories, from which the eye is greeted with such
grandeur of scenery as inspired the poetic mind of the honored Bryant,
whose visit to this county is recorded in the following pages. Of those
most prominent may be mentioned the Clarks blufiPs, on the south side
of the river and about three miles below the city of Dixon ; and the
"Hazlewood" blufts, on the farm of "Gov." Axa. Charters, which
lies west of the ri\'er and about two miles north of the city. The
forests and rocky fastnesses of the region of Rock river have been
so preserved in their rude native character, as not only to be attract-
ive to the eyes of men who appreciate the charms of nature, but to
the fowls and wild beasts of former days. The hunter's rifle occa-

TOPOGRAPHY OF LEE COUNTY. 21

sionallj brings down the gray wild-cat, and his hounds hay after the
retreating wolt whieli has chanced to wander down from tlie forests
of Wisconsin.

William C. Bryant, the poet, writing a letter after his visit to
Rock river, in 1841, described his ride through Lee county as fol-
lows : "As we descended into the prairie we were struck with the
novelty and beauty of the prospect which lay before us. The ground
sank gradually and gently into a low but immense basin, in the
midst of which lies the marshy tract called the Winnebago swamp.
To the northeast the sight was intercepted by a forest in tlit* midst
of the basin but to the northwest the prairies were seen swelling up
again in the smoothest slopes to their usual height, and stretching
away to a distance so vast that it seemed boldness in the eye to fol-
low them. We reached the Winnebago swamps, a tract covered
with tall and luxuriant water-grass, which we crossed on a causeway
built by a settler who keeps a toll-gate, and at the end of the cause-
way we forded a small stream called Winnebago Inlet. Crossing
another vast prairie we reached the neighborhood of Dixon, the ap-
proach of which was denoted by groves, farm-houses, herds of cattle,
and enclosed corn-fields checkering the broad, green prairie."

The general slope of this county is, with that of the most of the
state, to the southwest. The greatest depression in the county is, as
above given, in the southwest corner, known as the Winnebago
lands, which are doubtless the bed of an ancient lake, and ere long
will be valuable lands. The greatest altitude in the county is reached
on the Rock river heights, in the northwest corner of the county.

The drainage is generally good through many tributaries to Rock
river on the north and Inlet creek on the south. The northern third
of the county is drained by the smaller streams which flow from the
dividing ridge, above referred to, which extends from the northeast
to the southwest, emptying their waters into Rock river. These
tributaries flow to the northwest, cutting their course through the
bluffs to mingle with the latter stream. The central and southern
part of the county are drained by creeks and brooks which pour their
waters into Inlet swamp and Green river. The largest of these is
Willow creek, which rises in De Kalb county on the east, and cross-
ing near the middle of the east line of Lee, continues westward until
lost amid the grass and rushes of Inlet swamp. A few miles south
of this creek, about the village of Paw Paw, in Wyoming township,
is an elevated tract of land which becomes the dividing ridge be-
tween the headwaters of Green river and Kite creek, which rises in
the southeast corner of Lee county, and running south through Beau-
reau it empties into the Illinois within the borders of Putnam

22 HISTOKY OF LEE COUNTY.

county. The central-west of the township is drained by the Three
Mile branch and the Five Mile creek. The former heads in the
vicinity of ISTachusa, and meandering westward, passing Dixon three
miles to the south, as its name indicates, it empties into Eock river
near the county line. The Five Mile creek rises near Eldena Sta-
tion, west of the center of the county, and flows westward to the
county line and pours its waters into the Rock river within the bor-
ders of Whitesides county. Its waters are shaded nmch of its way
by the forest timber that fringe its banks. These streams are of
much value to the inhabitants through whose fields they flow.

The township of Palmyra, in the northwestern part of the county,
is traversed by Sugar creek, wdiich crosses the extreme corner of the
county, passing through the beautiful Sugar grove, which stands
near the center of the above township, and after emerging from Lee
county empties into Rock river.

Rivers and Ifavigation. — The principal stream in Lee county is
Rock river, which crosses the northwest corner, separating Palmyra
and Dixon townships from the other portion of the county. It first
reaches the county from the north, twelve miles east of the western
boundary, and flows one mile south, then turning to the west it makes a
detour back to the north, and passes west ol the first point one-half to
three-quarters of a mile. Then making another grand detour to the
north and west, returns and enters Lee county nine miles east of the
northwest corner. From this point of entrance it bears to the east
on its southern course for two or three miles, then sweeps ofl to the
southwest, cutting its way through the rocks and bluff's, making a
gentle curve here and there on its way, as if to add to its attractive-
ness and beauty, and emerges from the county, crossing the western
line nine miles south.

The beauty and attractions of this river are not equaled by any
other stream in the state. The Rock River valley has been the
theme of the richest prose and the sweetest poetry. It has awakened
the poetical genius of a William CuUen Brj^ant, and a Margaret
Fuller Ossoli. The former, when on a visit to Rock river in 1841,
feasted his eyes on the grand scenery presented to his view, as he
stood on Hazlewood looking out on the silvery stream, as it flowed
majestically through the forest and plains, and murmured at the base
of the rocks and bluff's. On his return home he wrote, on the 21st
of June, as follows: "I have just returned from an excursion to
Rock river, one of the most beautiful of our western streams. It
flows through high prairies and, not like most streams of the west,
through an alluvial country. The current is rapid, and the pellucid
waters glide over a bottom of sand and pebbles. Its admirers de-

TOPOGRAPHY OF LEE COUNTY. 23

clare that its shores unite the beauties of the Hudson and of the
Connecticut. The banks on either side are high and bokl ; some-
times they are perpendicular precipices, the bases of which stand in
running water ; sometimes they are steep, grassy, or rocky bluffs,
with a space of alluvial land between them and the stream ; some-
times they rise by a gradual and easy ascent to the general level of
the region, and sometimes this ascent is interrupted by a broad,
natural terrace. Majestic trees grow solitary or in clumps on the
grassy acclivities, or scattered in natural parks along the lower lands
upon the river, or in thick groves along the edge of the high country.
Back of the bluffs extend a fine agricultural region, rich prairies with
an undulating surface, interspersed with groves. At the foot of the
bluff's break forth copious springs of clear water, which hasten in
the little brooks to the river. In a drive which I took up the left
bank of the river I saw three of these in the space of as mam^ miles.
One of these is the spring which supplies the town of Dixon with
water; this spring is now overflowed by the dam across the river;
the next is a beautiful fountain rushing out from the rocks in the
midst of a clump of trees, as merrily and in as great a hurry as a
boy let out from school ; the third is so remarkable as to have re-
ceived a name. It is a little rivulet issuing from a cavern six or
seven feet high, and about twenty from the entrance to the further
end, at the foot of a perpendicular precipice covered with forest
trees and fringed with bushes.

"In the neighborhood of Dixon a class of emigrants have estab-
lished themselves (in 1841), more opulent and luxurious in their
tastes than most of the settlers of the western country. Some of
these have built elegant homes on the left bank of the river, amidst
the noble trees which seem to have grown up for that very purpose.
Indeed, when I looked at them I could hardly persuade myself that
they had not been planted to overshadow older habitations. From
the door of one of these dwellings I surveyed a prospect of exceed-
ing beauty. The windings of the river allowed us a sight of its
waters and its beautifully diversified banks to a great distance each
way, and in one direction a high prairie region was seen above the
woods that fringed the course of the river of a lighter green than
they, and touched with the golden light of the setting sun.

"I am told that the character of Rock river is, throughout its
course, much as has been described in the neighborhood of Dixon ;
that its, banks are high and free from marshes, and its water rapid
and clear, from its source in Wisconsin to where it enters the Mis-
sissippi amidst rocky islands."

Many springs empty their pure, cool waters into this stream,

24 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

which give it a purity which but few waters of its size possess.
The river being largely fed by inexhaustible fountains, it never falls
so low as most streams do in the dry summer season, and the waters
that are ever flowing are cool and refreshing, making it the best
stock-watering stream in the state.

Adding much to the charming beauty of the Kock river are her
numerous islands which divide her waters, and being carpeted with
green, tender grass, interspersed with beds of wild flowers, are as
beautiful as a cultivated lawn. Some are shaded with forests, while
the brows of the precipitous shores are fringed with trees of smaller
growths, from which the plain stretches across the valley to the
bluffs, presenting a scene most picturesque. There are not less than
twenty-five of these islands in the river's course through Lee county.
One a short distance above the Dixon bridge is set with forest trees,
and were it not for the occasional overflows it could be made a spot
of pleasant resort during the hot days of the summer months. At
this writing, April 20, it is covered with several feet of water, and
presents the view of a beautiful forest set in a crystal lake.

But as attractive as Rock river is in her ordinary mood, she is
not always as serene and gentle as poets have written of her, but at
times in her fury has challenged the boldness of a Byron rather than
the gentleness of the classic poetry of a Bryant, who through his
admiration for the beautiful river eulogized her as not subject to high
flows as many of her sister streams. She has at times been profligate
with property and life.

On March 2U, ISiT, a rise of water with floating ice carried away
the north half of the toll bridge, which had been finished some time
during the winter, causing an outla}' of ^$2,000 to make repairs. And
in June, 1851, the river overflowed its banks with two feet of water
on the public road around the Grand Detour, where on the 18th of
that month a stage crossing the flow was precipitated into ten feet of
water, drowning all the horses, and with the almost miraculous
escape of human life thus imperiled. Referring to this freshet the
city papers congratulated the citizens of Dixon on the fortunate escape
of the dam from the fate of most of the dams on the river, in the fol-
lowing strain : "The dam at this place has thus far successfully
withstood the tremendous rush of the high-water current, and we
think it will still do so. Other dams of Rock river we learn have
been compelled to yield." On February 14, 1857, the water rose to
the tops of the bi'idge-piers which stood below the railroad bridge,
and lifting up the solid ice which had formed around the piers car-
ried the entire bridge structure up with it from its resting places, but
the ice not breaking up it was let down again, but not without dam-

TOPOGRAPHY OF LEE COUNTY. 27

age, as it had to be rebuilt. About ten days later the toll bridge at
the foot of Ottawa street was carried away by the high water and
floating ice. And on June 3, the following year (1858), the papers
of Dixon made the following announcement: " Kock river at this
time is higher than we have ever known it. Both the wagon bridges
at this place have suffered in consequence of the flood. The free
bridge, but a small portion of which was carried away, will be re-
paired immediately. Steps will be taken by our citzens to build a
new bridge in place of the one swept away at the foot of Galena
street." In the following February (1859) the breaking up of the
ice by a heavy freshet carried away the dam and the new toll bridge.
The editorials of the 20th of the same month said : " The dam be-
came so clogged with floating ice that the weight caused it to give
way, descending ice and dam together, against the new bridge
erected only four months since ; it swept away two bents at one crash,
and later two more were taken. The bridge will be repaired imme-
diately in order to have it ready for the next descent, but in the
meantime the northsiders, by going three miles and paying 25 cents,
can reach town over the free bridge." Two months later, April 28,
two ftictories and a saw-mill at the north end of the bridge were un-
der-washed by the rushing waters from tlie dam, and when the build-
ings were slowly moving toward the water, which was twenty feet
deep, the machinery was removed, and fire set to the buildings to
save the bridge below from the fate of the one that had been swept
away so recently.

March 7, 1868, the high waters with floating ice swept away the
free bridge and battered down one pier of the railroad bridge, pre-
cipitating two spans into the river. It also washed out 120 feet of
the south end of the dam.

At the present writing Rock river is recording another epoch in
her historic fame. The tide is rushing down like a mighty ocean,
overflowing her banks at a depth, it is claimed, much greater than
ever known. The water is fifteen feet above low-water mark, and
two feet above the highest, with a velocity in the current of six to
seven miles per hour.

The Dixon Telegraph says: " The freshet which now rages down
the Rock river is one of the most remarkable ever known. At the
present writing (April 20) the water in the river is nearly two feet
higher than the highest water mark registered by the oldest inhabit-
ant, and the flood is still swelling, and ' Where will it stop?' is the anx-
ious inquiry of every one. Water street, below Galena, is covered;
and Col. Dement was compelled to move his horses from the stable,
and has since commenced moving out of his residence. On the

SAUK VALLEY COLLEGt
LRC 67667

28 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

north side about twenty families were compelled to leave their
houses; the flats below Bridge street are completely inundated, and
people are working in boats to secure barns, sheds, and other out
buildings from being carried down the river. The water sweeps
over the street at the north end of the bridge over two feet deep."
Green River. — This stream rises in the Inlet swamp east of the
center of the county, as has been described, and flowing to the
southwest through a beautiful grove in Lee Center township, mean-
dering on to the south of Amboy city to the great Winnebago
swamp, emerging from the county at the southwest corner, from
which point it continues on through Bureau and Henry counties to
mingle its waters with those of Kock river a few miles east of the
city of Kock Island. This stream with its tributaries traverses the
entire length of the county, through the Winnebago basin, which
begins in the county eastward and gently recedes to the southwest,
extending far beyond the boundary of Lee county.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Timber. — The emigrants to this county, as in most of northern
Illinois, had not to contend with a universal primeval forest, as in
many portions of the west. There were no great forests to hew
down with the axe, and by patient toil for a generation to clear up
a farm for their sons to inherit ; but they found, interspersed over a
fertile prairie, groves of timber of almost every variety common to
this latitude ; soft and sugar maple ; black walnut and butternut;
yellow and white poplar; oak, of white, black and other varieties;
of ash we find the white and black varieties; hickory of the princi-
ple varieties; lin or bass wood, gum, iron wood, cherry, crab-apple,
wild plum, thorn, hazel, etc.

Flowers and plants of great variety, embracing the timber and
prairie flowers of almost every kind and hue found in the latitude,
decorate the grassy prairie, the rocky bluff's and borders of the
streams. Among the prairie plants may be mentioned one that has
proved an annoyance to many an unsuspecting traveler, is what
is commonly known as the "Wild Parsenip." The great poet
William C. Bryant says of this plant: "Let me caution all emi-
grants to Illinois not to handle too familiarly the 'Wild Parsenip,'
as it is commonly called, an umbelliferous plant growing in the moist
prairies of this region. I have handled it, and have paid dearly for
it, having such a swelled face that I could scarcely see for several
days."

Wild Animals. — Of the nobler beasts of the unbroken prairie
and wild forest was the buffalo, more properly called bison, cover-

NATURAL HISTORY. 29

ing the prairies in great herds; while the stately elk, the timid deer,
and fleet antelope roamed over the plains and through the groves.
The tender, juicj grass of the plain, the cool shades of the groves,
and the refreshing waters of the fountains and streams that abound
in this country, make it a paradise for the wild grazing herds. But
these have retreated before advancing civilization beyond the great
waters of the Mississippi, while some of their number have left
their bones to bleach on the prairies and mingle with the soil of Lee
county, though their kind are now far removed from the reach of the
hunter's rifle. Of carniverous beasts were the bear, the i)rairie and
timber wolf, the wild-cat, the lynx, and the panther. The bear and
the panther have disappeared from the habitation of the old pioneers
of the county. In addition to these may be mentioned a variety of
smaller animals, such as the beaver, the otter, the mink, and the
muskrat, of the amphibious animals; the woodchuck, the red and
gray fox, the raccoon, the opossum, the skunk, and the brown and
white weasel. These are valuable for their fur. The smaller ani-
mals are the prairie squirrel, gray and striped, Norway rats, moles,
and the invincible mouse.

Fowls. — The native fowls of Lee county embrace almost
every species from the bald-eagle down to the humming bird.
Among the game fowl may be mentioned the wild swan, goose,
brant and duck among the water-fowls that throng the rivers, ponds,
and lakes ; the plover, snipe, woodcock, prairie chicken, pheasant,
quail, wild pigeon, turtle dove, and meadow lark. To these may be
added water-fowls that attract but little attention by the epicurean ;
such as the sand-hill crane, and his smaller neighbors ; the king
fisher, etc. Of forest birds are found the bluejay, the robin, the
bluebird, the peewee, and many others usually found in this lati-
tude. The Virginia nightingale, commonly called the "redbird, "
seldom appears in the forests in this vicinity ; and the same may be
said of many birds of beautiful plumage and sweet song that are
found in the more southern sections of the state. A variety of ra-
pacious and vulturous birds are also found ; the bald eagle, the vul-
ture, the buzzard, the crow, and a number of difl:erent kinds of the
hawk species. The crow has appeared in the more modern years of
the county's history. It was formerh^ unknown in this part of the
country. The plaintive notes of the whip-poor-will are occasionally
heard at nightfall coming from the shady grove.

In an early day the water-fowls visited the waters of Lee county
in great numbers. It was one of these annual visitors that awakened
the poetical genius of Bryant when he wrote that- excellent and clas-
sic poem :

30 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

TO A WATERFOWL.

" Whither, midst falling dew,
While glow the heavens with the last steps of day.
Far through their rosy depths dost thou pursue

Thy solitary way ?

Vainly the fowler's eye
Might mark thy distant flight to do thee harm,
As, darkly limned upon the crimson sky.

Thy figure floats along.

Seek'st thou the j^lashy brink
Of weedy lake, or marge of river wide.
Or where the rocking billows rise and sink

On the chafed ocean side ?

There is a power whose care
Teaches thy way along that pathless coast —
The desert and illimitable air —

Lone wandering, but not lost.

All day thy wings have fanned
At that far height, the cold, thin atmosphere,
Yet stoop not weary, to the welcome land.

Though the dark night is near.

And soon that toil shall end ;
Soon shalt thou find a summer home and rest,
And scream among thy fellows ; reeds shall bend

Soon o'er thy sheltered nest.

Thou'rt gone, the abyss of heaven
Hath swallowed up thy form ; yet on my heart
Deeply hath sunk the lesson thou hast given,

And shall not soon depart.

He who from zone to zone
Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight.
In the long way that I must tread alone

Will lead my steps aright."

Pisciciilture. — Nature did mucli in stocking the streams of Lee
county with a variety of fish; and some of choice quality. Among
the native tribes are found the pike, the pickerel, the several vari-
eties of perch; of bass, both rock and black; the cat and buflPalo;
of suckers are caught the black, the white and red-horse. From
the great numbers of these latter which, in an early day, passed up
the rock river in the spring and returned in the fall, the state has
received its vulgar name of the Sucker State. The modern im-
provements on the river, dams, drainage from manufactories, and
the seine, have reduced their number.

GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS. 31

GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS.

The geological formations of Lee county are of more than usual
interest, both to the mechanic and artist. There is found the finest
building rock, and the purest for manufacturing quicklime ; and
fossil rock capable of the highest polish, presenting a face variegated
and beautiful. The scientist may find almost every formation from
the lower silurian system up to the alluvium forming the basis of
the fertile soil of this region of country.

In the vicinity of Rock river may be found the St. Peter's sand-
stone which out-crops on the river above Grand Detour. We find
the Trenton or buff, and blue lime ; Galena limestone, without
mineral deposits as at Galena ; Cincinnati group ; green and blue
shales, with surface deposits ; sands, clays, soils, and gravel beds.

Quarries of the finest building rock are found along the Rock
river for miles below and above Dixon. Those below are of lime
and sand, and work easily when just removed from the quarry, but
harden on exposure to the atmosphere, a quality very desirable in
building rock. A blue limestone quarry is situated three miles
north of Dixon, west of the river, on Alex. Charter's farm ; and a
little below this is Strong's quarry of the same kind of rock. The
same is quarried on the east side of the river two miles northeast of
Dixon ; and going twelve miles east of Dixon, along the northern
border of the county, it crops out at Ashton, where some of the finest
quality of building stone is quarried. A quarry is also opened on
the farm of R. M. Peile, Reynold' township. Lee Center furnishes
building stone for the necessary supply of all demands in the central
part of the county.

An extensive lime kiln and quarry, known as Dement & De
Puy's quarry, are located on the south side of the river above the
water-power, and under the College hill.

The geology of Lee county is rich with scientific interest, and
abounds in some localities with fossil deposits. Two or three miles
northeast of Dixon, and east of Rock river, are quarried the finest
specimens of fossil i-ock, composed of shells of various varieties, and
so imbedded together as to form a texture as compact as marble,
and capable of as fine a polish.

The geological deposit of primary importance is the quarternary
system, which embraces all the superficial material, including gravel,
sands, clays, and soils. These are the more recent accumulations,
which cover the older formations and lay the foundation and give
origin to the soil from which we derive our agricultural resources.
"This system may be properly separated into four divisions, to wit:
post-tertiary, sands, and clays, drift clay and gravel, loess and allu-

32 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

vium. The post-tertiarj sands occupy the lowest portion in the
series, and consist of beds of stratified yellow sand and blue clay of
variable thickness, overlaid by a black or chocolate-colored loam soil,
containing leaves, branches, and trunks of trees in a good state of
preservation. This is an ancient soil which has been covered by the
drift deposits, consisting of blue, yellow or brown clays, contain-
ing gravel and boulders of various sizes," water-worn fragments
of rocks, which have been carried down from the northern shores
of the great lakes. Above this we sometimes meet with beds of
gravel.

The subsoil over the northern part of the state is predicated upon
the drift deposits, but it differs from them essentially in its character,
and probably owes its origin to other and more recent causes than
the drift agencies. It is generally composed of fine brown clay,
which differs in its appearance from the clays of the drift. Hence
we may infer that its origin is due to some cause subsequent in its ac-
tion to the accumulation of these deposits, and uniform in its effects
over formations essentially diff'erent in their constituent materials.
In the first volume of the report on the Illinois survey Prof. Les-
quereux has given the following on the formation of the prairies,
which explains the origin of the brown clay and the subsoil above it.
He says : " It is evident that the black soil of their surface (the prai-
ries), as well as the clayey sub-soil, whatever the thickness of these
strata may be, have been formed in place by the agency and growth
of a peculiar vegetation. In stagnant water, whenever water is low
enough to admit the transmission of light and air of sufficient quan-
tity to sustain vegetable life, the bottom is first invaded by confervas,
and especially by characete, and a peculiar kind of floating moss (h-yp-
num aduncum). These plants contain in their tissue a great pro-
portion of lime alumina, silica, and even of oxide of iron, the ele-
ments of clay. When exposed to atmospheric influence the characeae
become covered with an efflorescence of scarcely carbonized or pure
iron. Moreover, this vegetation of the low, stagnant waters feeds a
prodigious quantity of small mollusks and infusoria, whose shells
and detritus greatly add to the deposits. The final result of the de-
composition of the whole matter is that fine clay of the sub-soil of
the prairies wliich is indeed truly impalpable when dried and pul-
verized and unmixed with sands."

While it seems entirely satisfactory to recognize the origin of the
soil of the prairies from the growth and decay of vegetable matter in
shallow ponds and marshes, with the animal remains that abounded
in them, there are, however, traces of currents of water and floating
ice generally from the north, though it is claimed by good authority

EAELY HISTORY. 33

that there were counter currents. Boulders are found in different
parts of the country, distributed over the surface of the ground, which
have been carried down by the moving ice and deposited as strangers
on the prairie soiL A good place to study these stones is on the
bluffs southeast of Rock river, about one mile above Dixon, and on
the east slope of a ravine that drains into that river opposite the
island.

Along the bluffs of Rock river may be found the loess deposit,
which is described as " a tine mechanical sediment that seems to have
accumulated in a quiet lake or other body of fresh water. It is com-
posed of brown, buff or ashen gray marley, sands, and clays, and
contains numerous land and fresh-water shells of the same species
with those inhabiting the land and waters of the adjacent region."

Along the Rock river valley and in the Inlet and Winnebago
basin we meet with alluvium, as well as along some of the smaller
streams. This consists of sand, clay, and loam, irregularly stratified
with greater or less organic matter from the decomposed animal and
vegetable substances that are imbedded therein.

The soil of Lee county is fertile, well drained, and adapted to
agriculture and stock growing. A number of the citizens of the county
are engaged in the latter, and have many broad acres set in clover
and blue-grass, which grow most luxuriantly.

EARLY HISTORY.

Prior to the Black Hawk war. — For the early history of the
territory now embraced in Lee county we are called back to the
early days of Dixon's Ferry. It was the establishment of this en-
terprise, as the first improvement of the country, that invited to the
banks of Rock river the early pioneer settlement, that laid the foun-
dation for the future development of an intelligent and prosperous
community, and the building of the city of Dixon. The circum-
stances leading to the discovery of this locality have been noticed in
their proper relations to the discovery of Lee county.

Prior to the establishment of the ferry at this place, the broad,
fertile prairies and the beautiful groves of Lee county were left to
the wild beasts and wandering tribes of aborigines. The Galena
mines having been opened, there was a rusli of emigration to that
locality from the southern settlements along the Illinois river, by
the Rock Island route. But a Mr. O. W. Kellogg taking the more
direct route from Peoria — then Fort Clark — drove his team across
the country, in 1827, traversing the wild prairies, fording streams,
and camping at night without any shelter save the starry expanse
above, which seemed like a vast crystal canopy resting down upon

34 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

the boundless prairie sea which surrounded him on every side.
Reaching Rock river he crossed the stream at a point a few miles
above the present site of the city of Dixon, probably at the head of
Truman's Island ; passed between what is now known as Polo and
Mount Morris ; thence west of West Grove, from which point he
turned north to Galena. This prairie path-finder opened the route
afterward known as " Kellogg' s Trail." This path was soon occu-
pied by many fortune seekers, who disregarded the fertile soil over
wliich they were passing, and in which mines of wealth were stored
that would be inexhaustible for generations to come. Soon, how-
ever, it was discovered that this was not the most direct communi-
cation between the lower settlements and the mines, hence in the
spring of 1828 John Boles, bearing to the west of Kellogg' s Trail,
crossed Rock river at the present site of Dixon, not far from the
location of the Galena street bridge, possibly a few rods below
this point. This path, known as " Bole's Trail,'' became the com-
mon route between the above points.

The crossing of the river prior to the establishment of the ferry
was attended with difficulties and perils. The method is described
by John K. Robinson in the following manner: "The method of
crossing the river with teams before the establishment of a ferry was
primitive and simple. On arriving at the place of crossing the
wagons were unloaded and the loads carried over in canoes by the
Indians. The wagon was then driven with the side to the stream
and two wheels lifted into a canoe, then shoved a little out into the
river ; another canoe received the other two wlieels, when the
double boat was paddled or poled to the other side. The horses
were taken by the bridle and made to swim by the side of the canoe,
while the cattle swam loose. Then commenced the lifting out of
the wagon and reloading, after which the journey was renewed,
and all hands happy that the task of crossing the river was com-
pleted."

" Once James P. Dixon, well acquainted with the hardship of
crossing, arriving on the banks of the river with the mail wagon
called to the Indians for their assistance, but received no answer.
Yexed at their delay, and at their arrogance when they did assist, he
boldly unchecked his horses so as to give them a chance to swim,
and crossed the river with the mail and wagon in safety."

This incident illustrates some of the inconveniences to which the
early pioneers were subject. The Indians were not reliable as ferry-
men in the manner as above described, being frequently absent, or
ill disposed to render immediate assistance ; and it was only when
the river was low that it could be forded. To relieve the traveling

EAELY HISTORY. 35

public of this annoyance, and to open an avenue of pecuniary gain,
Mr. J. L. Bogardis, of Peoria, attempted the establishment of a
ferry at this point some time in 1827, or early in 1828. The enter-
prise, however, was a failure ; for the reason that the Indians, who
had been accustomed to pilot the strangers across the river in their
primitive style, were unwilling that the white man should create a
competition in the business over which they held a monopoly ; and
therefore they swooped down upon the two workmen, who had the
boat for the ferry well on the way, and burning the superstructure they
ordered the men back to the place from which they came. The
workmen made a hasty retreat, leaving the red-men in possession of
the situation, including a shanty 8 X 10 feet, which they had erected
on the bank of the river.

In the spring of 1828 Josep Ogee, a French Indian half-breed
and interpreter, settled here, erected a cabin on the bank of the river,
and established the first ferry without molestation from the Indians.
Ogee's wife was a Pottawatomie woman, and his relations and
customs were allied with their own people, so that he was permitted
to abide in peace and conduct his ferry until the spring of 1830,
when he sold to John Dixon, whose name the city of Dixon bears
to-day. Mr. Dixon had induced Ogee to build the ferry to accom-
modate the United States mail, which he was carrying from Peoria
to Galena. On the 11th of April Mr. Dixon arrived at the ferry
with his family and took charge of the transportation of the travel-
ing public across the river. He was regarded by the Indians as the
*' red-man's friend," whom they called "JSTa-chusa ;" which is a con-
traction of IS'adah-churah-sah, and signifies, " head-hair- white ;"
referring to Mr. Dixon's white, flowing locks, which came prema-
turely.

The first tavern opened in this vicinity was in 1829, by Isaac
Chambers, who built a house for public entertainment in Bufl'alo
Grove, through which he had cut a road for the new trail from the
ferry to Galena, two miles distant from the Bole's Trail, which it in-
tersected some distance north of the grove. This was the first white
family in this part of the country. That the reader may have a just
idea of the hardships of those days, and the primitive style in a
pioneer tavern, we give an extract below from the pen of John K.
Kobinson, an eye witness to many of the things of which he writes,
who came to the county in 1832, and became conversant with the facts
here related :

"From 1829 to 1835 the travel crossing Rock river at the pres-
ent site of Dixon was extensive. In early spring the emigration to
the lead mines was one perpetual rush — like in character to the gold

36 HISTORY OF LEE COUIMTT.

fever of later years. It swept over Rock river in swarms of from
five to twenty teams a day through May and June ; then again there
was a mighty stream southward during September and October.
Among the many passing through we had of ministers : John Sin-
clair, John T. Mitchell, and Erastus Kent, all honored as faithful
men and able ministers ; judges: Thomas Ford, afterward governor
of Illinois, and Young; lawyers: Mills and Sheldon; and black-
legs whose name is legion. Accommodations were furnished the
travelers as far as the beds, bedding, and table room of the
"tavern" would reach. Between the two houses forming the long,
one-story portion of the building was a ten or twelve foot hall, with
a doorway at either end, facing the north and south. Entering the
hall from the south , on the west was the family sitting-room, on
the east was the travelers' and hired help's room, each room
eighteen feet square. The furniture of the west room consisted of
two beds, quite a number of chairs, and a table extending clear
across the room, where the meals were taken in cold weather ; in
warm weather the meals were taken in the hall. The east room
contained four beds, one in each corner. When driven to extend
this bed-room, the "shake-down" was resorted to, which was of
common occurrence. A buffalo robe or bear skin spread on the soft
side of the floor, with a blanket or quilt for covering, made a bed
good enough for anybody. The floor was often covered in both
rooms, and the hall filled to overflowing, with these hastily and easi-
ly prepared beds. Floor room was not always of sufficient propor-
tion to accommodate tht- entire party ; the remainder encamped all
about the premises, there was room enougli out doors for all.
Owing to the base of supplies being so distant — Peoria ninety
miles, and Galena sixty-five miles — wv were often driven to extremi-
ties. ISTo weather or bad roads satisfied hunger or stayed travel.
Armies, feeling this gnawing, grow restless and insubordinate. Our
own family and travelers gave vent to human nature without stint.
Few could take in the difficulties of having the whole of a large
caravan to feed. The Inlet stream was unbridged and frequently
swimming, and in that direction our supplies were often crossed un-
der water before they leached us. Our horses were taught swimming
and became proficients in that calling. I have been employed a lit-
tle below the present road crossing Inlet creek, swimming horses
and wagons across one way and back the other, for more than two
hours at a time, and once safely swam a four-horse team attached to
a wagon loaded with lumber across the stream at the imminent risk
of myself and team. Mail stages were three times submerged and
ruined in Inlet. Northward, Apple river and both Plumb rivers

EARLY HISTORY. 37

were alike difficult to cross and much more dangerous, as the cross-
ings were bad and the current rapid.

Father Dixon did his trading with the Indians as a matter ot
necessity. He had lived at Peoria and learned the character of the
average trader and determined to deal more justly with the Indians
than had been done. He ingratiated himself with them as their ad-
viser and friend, strongly urging them to a civilized life and habits
of sobriety, diligence and honesty. The store-room in which he
traded with the Indians was in the east building (the two-story
house), where he sold powder, lead, shot, wampum, tobacco, pipes,
shrouding (a coarse cloth), blankets, guns, beads, needles, awls,
knives, spears, muskrat and otter traps, calicos, etc., and but one
thing at a time. Why ? The Indian is a thief always and every-
where. In return he had their furs, dressed deer skins, moccasins,
and fancy articles made by the female portion of his traders. These
found a ready market in Galena, Peoria, and St. Louis.

Directly after taking up his permanent home at Dixon's Ferry,
and while coming down the river from the place of ferrying. Father
Dixon heard his Indian name excitedly called out. Turning around
he saw a naked savage within 100 feet of him running toward him
and gesticulating angrily with a muskrat spear which was made of a
sharpened 5-8 incli round iron rod, from two to three feet in
length, fastened to a wooden handle from four to six feet in length^
making a formidable weapon. To defend himself unarmed was
impossible ; to flee cowardly. He took in the danger, but his man-
hood refused to carry him out of danger, as his fleetness would have
enabled him to do. Pie boldly faced his adversary, bat before the
Indian had an opportunity to throw his spear his arms were secure-
ly grasped by some of the Indian spectators, who interfered for
Dixon's safety. After the drunken debauch was over the Indian
asked an interview with Father Dixon, which he refused him until
the band to which the Indian belonged interceded for him. Much
ceremony suits the Indian ; the talk commenced, when the Indian,
whose name was Dah-shun-egra, acknowledged his murderous inten-
tion ; " that bad whisky made bad Indian," and asked forgiveness.
He asked Father Dixon what he would have done if he had thrown
the spear and missed his aim. In reply Father Dixon said : "Had
you thrown the spear and missed me, the spear would have passed
by me and I should have reached it lirst, and should have killed
you on the spot with your own spear." His coolness in the hour of
danger, and this open avowal of a determined man to defend him-
self and repel force by force, were qualities that the savages could

88 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

full J understand and appreciate. It established Father Dixon's
character among the Indians as a White Brave."

While Mr. Dixon carried the United States mail the streams were
unbridged, not even "corduroyed;" swamps undrained ; roads al-
most impassable ; houses few and far between. Snowstorms were
more severe and the cold more intense than in later years. In the
winter of 1830-1 (the winter of the deep snow) the snow averaged
three feet deep from Xew Year's Day to the 15tli of March. No
track was kept open from one settlement to another, and it was with
great difficulty that roads were kept open even in densely settled dis-
tricts. Fifteen to twenty-seven miles was the usual distance between
the homes along the route. On one of the longest routes during this
memorable winter Mr. Dixon and some of the stage passengers were
so benumbed with the cold as to be unable to get out of the stage
without assistance.

In the year 1829 a post-office was established at Ogee's Ferry to
accommodate the traveling public, and a Mr. Gay was appointed post-
master. In September, 1830, Mr. Dixon superseded Mr. Gay, by
government appointment, and in the following year the name of the
post-office was changed, as the ferry had been, to Dixon's Ferry. The
few settlers who had located in the vicinity of Kockford came to Dix-
on's Ferry for their mail matter, and being the only ferry cros?ing for
many miles up and down the river, Dixon at this early day was a
central point of interest for thirty or forty miles north and south, and
from Chicago, a small frontier post, to the Mississippi ; and in the
time of the Black Hawk war it became the rendezvous of the United
States troops. It was the central depot for supplies, and aiforded the
most advantageous point for military maneuvering.

" At this time," says the " History of Dixon,'' published in 1880,
" the banks of Rock river at the present site of Dixon were gently
sloping to the water's edge, covered with grass, not abrupt as at pres-
ent. Teams were loaded wherever the ferry-boat struck a suitable
place on the shores. The ferry-boat was propelled by the old-fashioned
' setting pole,' attended with any amount of fatigue. It was one of
the schools of patience in its day. A rope ferrj^, similar to the one
now at Grand Detour, succeeded the primitive institution in 1835.
A rope was stretched across the river from the tops of strong posts
placed on either bank of the river at Galena street, and with the lee
board as motive power more rapid and far easier transportation was
secured."

We may note at this point that Mrs. John Dixon was the first
white woman who settled in the Rock River valley, in the bounds of
Lee county.

THE BLACK HAWK WAK. 89

About eighteen (ft twenty miles south, and not far from the pres-
ent Lee county line, in the south part of the county, another pioneer
by the well known name of " Dad Joe " Smith had located at a very
early day, the date of which we cannot give definitely, but it was,
however, prior to the Black Hawk war, and of sufficient length of time
for him to become familiar with the Indians of the country to secure
his safety during the Black Hawk campaign. Having secured the
safety of his wife and children he remained at his home at "Dad
Joe's Grove " and attended and gathered his crops during the entire
war unmolested. He had fought in the battle of the Thames ; came
to this county with the first emigrants and " settled in the shadow of
this grove," and commenced opening a farm. At the time of the
advance of Atkinson's army he served as a guide. He also served as a
spy under command of Zachary Taylor. He was an early settler, and
of such long standing that he was rather looked upon as a kind of patri-
arch in the country, and to distinguish him from other Joe Smiths —
perhaps a son bearing his father's name — he received the venerable
appellation of "Dad Joe." Mr. J. K. Robinson said of him: " He
was one of the good, jolly men, who had made their homes along the
route of the early thoroughfare between Peoria and Galena. ' Dad
Joe ' had an uncommonly loud voice. It was often remarked in that
day ' We knew they were all well at Dad Joe's, this morning, for we
heard him calling his hogs just twenty miles away.' "

In the spring of 1832, at the settlement at Buffalo Grove, ten
miles up the Galena road, were located Isaac Chambers, O. W. Kel-
logg, Mr. Reed, and a Mr. Bush, and their families. Mr. John K.
Robinson had joined John Dixon at the ferry where he settled, and
"Dad Joe" twenty miles south on the road. These were the way
stations on the great thoroughfare of travel from the southern settle-
ments to the Galena mines on the north, and were as oases in the
desert to the pioneer traveler.

THE BLAC^K HAWK WAR.

The Black Hawk war broke out in 1832, when Dixon's Ferry,
where the city of Dixon is now located, became the rendezvous of
the United States troops and the raw levies that were raised for the
defense of the frontier, as it proved to be a central position for the
speedy and successful manoeuvreing of troops and their supplies.

"A treaty had been made in 1804 with the Sacs and Fox Indians,
in which those powerful tribes ceded to the United States all their
lands lying east of the Mississippi, and agreed to remove to lands
west of that river. Black Hawk and other chiefs not being present
when the treaty was made, refused to be bound by it." It is but just

40 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

that the noble warrior, Black Hawk, be heard respecting this treaty,
and the relation of his people to the origin of the war which fol-
lowed. In his account given to Antoine Leclair, United States
interpreter for the Sacs and Foxes, and published in the "Life of
Black Hawk," by J. B. Patterson, of Rock Island, in 1834, he said :

" One of our people killed an American and was confined in the
prison at St. Louis for the offense. We held a council at our village
to see what could be done for him, which determined that Quash-
qua-me, Pa-she-pa-ho, Ou-che-qua-ka, and Ha-she quar-hi-qua should
go down to St. Louis, see our American father, and do all they could
to have our friend released by paying for the person killed, thus
covering the blood and satisfying the relations of the man murdered.
This was the only means with us of saving a person who had killed
another, and we then thought it was the same way witli the whites.
The party started with the good wishes of our whole nation, hoping
they would accomplish the object of their mission. The relatives of
the prisoner blacked their faces and fasted, hoping the Great Spirit
would take pity on them and return the husband and father to his
wife and children. Quiish-qua-me and party remained a long time
absent. They at length returned, -^ * ■» and gave to us the
following account of their mission :

" On their arrival at St. Louis they met their American father
and explained to him their business, and urged the release of their
friend. The American chief told them he wanted land, and they
had agreed to give him some on the west side of the Mississippi and
some on the Illinois' side opposite the Jeffreon. When the business
was all arranged they expected to have their friend released to come
home with them, but about the time they were ready to start their
friend was let out of prison, and he ran a short distance and was
shot dead. This is all they could recollect of what was said or
done. They had been drunk the greater part of the time they were
in St. Louis.

'• This is all myself or nation knew of the treaty of 1804. It has
been explained to me since. I find, by that treaty, all our country
east of the Mississippi and south of Jefi'reon was ceded to the
United States for one thousand dollar's a year. I will leave it to the
people of the United States to say whether our nation was properly
represented in this treaty, or whether we received a fair compensa-
tion for the extent of counti-y ceded by those four individuals. I
could say much about this treaty but will not at this time. It has
been the origin of all our difficulties."

After the treaty of peace between the United States and Great
Britain, Black Hawk and his chiefs went down to St. Louis to con-

THE BLACK HAWK WAE. 41

firm the treaty of peace, and "Here," says Black Hawk, "for tlie
first time I touched the goose quill to the treaty, — not knowing,
however, that by that act I consented to give away my village. Had
that been explained to me I should have opposed it and never would
have signed their treaty. What do we know about the laws and
customs of the white people ? They might buy our bodies for dis-
section and we would touch the goose quill to confirm it without
knowing what we were doing. This was the case with myself and
people in touching the goose quill the first time." Black Hawk
also claimed that they did not cede their village to the government.
This village was situated on the north side of Eock river, at its mouth,
on the point of land between this river and the Mississippi. Their
corn-fields extended up the Mississippi for two miles, where they
joined the Foxes on the north. Rock Island was the summer resort
for their young people, their garden which supplied them with
berries and fruits, and the rapids of Rock river furnished them
with the finest fish. "A good spirit had care of it, who lived in a
cave in the rocks immediately under the place where the fort now
stands (1834) and has often been seen by our people. He was white,
with large wings like a swan's, but ten times lai'ger. We were par-
ticular not to make much noise in that part of the island which he
inhabited for fear of disturbing him ; but the noise of the fort has
driven him away and no doubt a had spirit has taken his place."

It is not to be thought strange that those native tribes would be
unwilling to leave this beautiful and rich country, the home of their
fathers for more than a hundred years. And besides Black Hawk
claimed, as did also Quash-qua-me, who conducted the ti'eaty, that
their Rock Island village had not been sold, as claimed by the gov-
ernment. On this they predicated their claims and all their troubles.

The whites, however, occupied their village, and Black Hawk
says "they brought whisky into our village, and made our people
drunk, and cheated them out of their horses, guns and traps!" It
may be noted here that the first temperance crusade in this country
was headed by Black Hawk, chief of the Sacs. He says : "I visited
all the whites (in the village) and begged them not to sell whisky to
my people. One of them continued the practice openly. I took a
party of my young men, went to his house, and took out his barrel
and broke in the head and turned out the whisky." He then adds:
"Bad and cruel as our people were treated by the whites, not one of
them was hurt or molested by any of my band. I hope this will
prove that we are a peaceable people, having permitted ten men to
take possession of our corn-fields, prevent us from planting corn,
burn and destroy our lodges, ill-treat our women, and heat to death

42 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

our men without offering resistance to their barbarous cruelties.
The whites were complaining at the same time that loe were intrud-
ing upon their rights! They made themselves out the injured
party, and we the intruders ! and called loudly to the great war-chief
to protect their property ! How smooth must be the language of
the whites when they can make right look like wrong and wrong
look like right !"

This brave and proud warrior would not surrender his village
until the last hour, when the United States soldiers were on the
ground for the purpose of forcing him to terms. The night before
the day appointed by Gen. Gaines to remove them, the chief and
his people crossed the Mississippi and encamped below the mouth of
Rock river. Black Hawk went to their agent and requested that a
house be built for him, and a iield plowed in the fall, as he desired
to live retired. This being promised, he went to the trader and ob-
tained permission to be buried in the graveyard in their old village.
''I then returned," said Black Hawk, " to my people satisfied." He
had not remained long in quiet retirement when in 1831 the restless
chief and his band (known as the British Band of Sac Indians)
crossed the river to their old homes at the mouth of Rock river, but
after preparations of war were made for his extermination he nego-
tiated a treaty and returned to the west side of the Mississippi, re-
ceiving liberal presents of goods and provisions from the govern-
ment, and promised never to return without the consent of the pres-
ident of the United States or the governor of Illinois.

Here he remained quietly until the following year, when discon-
tent was created by the bad counsel of British officers on the upper
Mississippi ; and on April 6, 1832, he again recrossed the Missis-
sippi with his entire band and their women and children, and soon
commenced his march up the river, intending to take possession of
the Kishwaukee country on the upper Rock river, claimed to have
been given him by the Pottawatomies.

Black Hawk's policy was to ascend the Rock river in peace, until
he had the expected reinforcements from the Ottawas, Chippewas,
Pottawatomies, and Winnebagoes, from the upper Rock river and
lake region, as he had been told. Ascending the river to Prophets-
town, he received an order from Gen. Atkinson (White Beaver) to
return or he would pursue him and drive him back. The chief re-
fused, sending word to the general if he wanted to fight to come
on, and moved on up river.

Mr. John Dixon, then proprietor of Dixon's Ferry, was advised
of the approach of the Black Hawk band of Indians, and would have
abandoned his home, and sought safety elsewhere, but his faith in

di

Ay^^ky^tyLU

0 rl j '■y\^^iJ^-i-Ay\y\\

i;K_

THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 45

humanity was of that kind that " Hopeth all things, of all men" —
even the Indians. A leading Winnebago chief, Pachinka (Crane in
English), had told him that the Winnebagoes held possession of the
lands through which the Sacs would have to move, and that they
would not dare injure tlie white friends of his nation. So Father
Dixon was here when the savage army passed early in May. He so
arranged his family and hired help as to ascertain the force of the
hostiles. This he accomplished without exciting their suspicions.
His estimate gave them 600 men. The band encamped at a spring
a few hundred yards above the ferry, now submerged by reason of
the dam.

The war chief had not forgotten the kindness of Mrs. Dixon
during the preceding winter, when he, a chief from Rock Island, and
the prophet from Prophetstown, met in council with the Pottawato-
mies at Dixon's Ferry, when Black Hawk negotiated for the occu-
pancy of Spotted Arms' Town near the jjresent site of Rockford.
During their stay the chiefs at the council fire were regularly invited
as guests to Mrs. Dixon's table. She served them as waiter, and
even sat down and ate and drank with them. Black Hawk not only
reminded her of his appreciation of her kindness, but called the at-
tention of the other chiefs to her care for them.

"On May 12 Governor Reynolds was at Dixon's Ferry, with
about 900 mounted riflemen, under command of Gen. Whitesides,
awaiting the arrival of Gen. Atkinson's forces of the regular army,
coming up the river with army stores, provisions, and the general
impediments of a moving army.

"Immediately after the arrival of the forces at Dixon's Ferry Gen.
Whitesides sent a party of four men, a guide and interj)reter, under
command of Capt. John Dement (then state treasurer), to Shabbona's
Grove, just within the borders of the present county of De Kalb, to
warn the friendly Pottawatomie chief, Shabbona, who lived there
upon a small reservation with his family and a few followers, not- to
allow Black Hawk to come upon his lands to live."

Having lost their way they were, toward the close of the second
day out, approaching a grove to the northwest of Shabbona's Grove,
which they were seeking, when Peter Manard, the interpreter of the
party, who was familiar with Shabbona and his people, approached
the grove in advance of the party expecting to meet the friendly Pot-
tawatomies. Crossing a small stream he entered the grove, where he
found an unoccupied lodge. Alighting from his pony, he was trying to
strike a fire preparatory to an encampment for the night, when Capt.
Dement, who was approaching the grove at another point, descried
some Indians in the timber trying to conceal themselves in the
4

46 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

thicket ; leaving his party to watch the movements of the savages,
he rode down the grove to see what had become of Manard. whom
he found in possession of his lodge, happily anticipating a good
smoke in his efforts to strike a fire ; but at the word from the captain
he mounted and joined the party. The Indians soon rushed from
the grove with yells and menaces of war. The scouting party fear-
ing the presence of superior numbers galloped away over the
prairie ; but discovering that only two or three Indians were follow-
ing them they reined up their horses when the Indians came up,
laughing and pretending friendship.

From these Indians they learned that Black Hawk and his band
were encamped on a stream but two miles away, and that they were
going over to Mud lake to hunt. They invited the captain and his
party to lodge with them for the night, promising to feast tliem
on fresh venison. The captain declined their hospitality, preferring
a long horseback ride in the night, though weary from the long travel
of the day. He turned toward Shabbona's grove to mislead the
red-men should they attempt to follow or intercept them, and when
beyond their view the party headed toward Dixon's Ferry and rode
all night, reaching Inlet grove in early morning. After halting a
short time at this point they continued their march to Dixon's Ferry,
and reported the result of their expedition to the commanding general.

"■Just before Capt.Dement and his party returned to Dixon's Ferry
from Shabbona's grove Maj. Stillman was permitted to advance up
the river and spy out the hostile camp. Maj. Stillman was at the
ferry when Gen. Whitesides arrived ; he had command of a small
battalion of green volunteers, who, in their inexperience, were eager
to get a shot at an Indian. On the evening of May 15. or 16
Stillman encamped on a small stream near Ivishwaiikee creek, in what
is now Ogle county, about thirty miles from Dixon. He was about
five miles distant from Black Hawk's camp on Kishwaukee creek,
but did not know it."

Black Hawk says that at about this time " the Pottawatomie chiefs
arrived at my camp. I had a dog killed, and made a feast. When
it was ready I spread my medicine bags, and the chiefs began to eat.
When the ceremony was about ending I received news that three or
four hundred white men on horseback had been seen about eight
miles off. I immediately started three young men with a white flag
to meet them, and conduct them to our camp, that we might hold a
council with them, and descend Rock river again." These three
men, according to Black Hawk, were captured by the whites and
taken to their camp. One of them was shot, and the other two
escaped to their own camp.

THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 47

After Black Hawk had started the three, as above, he sent five
more joung men to follow after and see vs^hat the result would be.

These proceeded to a mound about a mile and a half from Still-
man's camp where they displayed a flag of truce. " They were dis-
covered by some of the men, who, without reporting to their com-
mander, and without orders, hastily mounted and rode toward the
Indians. These, not understanding this sudden movement, and ap-
parently suspicious, commenced to retreat toward the camp of their
chief. The whites dashed after them, fired and killed two of their
number and captured two more, the others escaped, still pursued by
the reckless volunteers. When Black Hawk and his war chief, Ne-o-
pope,saw them dashing down upon their camp, their flag of truce disre-
garded, they raised the terrible war-whoop and prepared for the fray. "

Black Hawk says, " When they came in with the news I was pre-
paring my flags to meet the war chief. The alarm was given. Nearly
all my young men were absent, about ten miles off". I started with
what I had left (about forty), and had proceeded but a short distance
before we saw a part of the army approaching. I immediately placed
my men in front of son:ie bushes, that we might have the first fire.
They halted some distance from us, when I gave another yell, and
ordered my braves to charge upon them, expecting that we would all
be killed. They did charge. Every man rushed and fired, and the
enemy retreated in the utmost confusion and consternation before
my little but brave band of warriors. I found it useless to follow
them, as they rode so fast, and I returned to my encampment with a
few of my braves, about twenty-five having gone in pursuit of the
enemy. I lighted my pipe, and sat down to thank the Great Spirit
for what he had done for my people."

Our own historian says of the defeat, when Black Hawk met the
charging volunteers, "It was now the turn of the volunteers to re-
treat, which they did with wonderful celerity. Supposing they were
pursued by a thousand savage warriors, the flying soldiers rushed
throu^i the camp, spreading terror and consternation among their
comrades. The wildest confusion ensued, there was ' mounting in
hot haste'; and the eff'orts of the officers to rally the troops were
without avail. The panic was complete; every man seemed bent
upon saving his scalp, aud fled, never stopping until they reached
Dixon's Ferry, or some other place of safety. It is said that the
first man to reach Dixon was a Kentucky lawyer, not unknown ta
fame in Jo Daviess county, who reported that every man in Still-
man's command had been killed except himself. Nearl^y every man,
as he came straggling back to the Ferry during the night, had a like
report to make."

48 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

The narrative continues: " It is a well known fact that Stillman's
men were well supplied with whiskey, and that many of them were
drunk, which may account for their rash act in firing upon the white
flag in utter disregard of all rules of warfare recognized, even
among the Indians. On the approach of day the order was given
for a forced march to the fatal field, and about eight hundred of the
volunteers moved out, leaving two hundred men to guard the ferry;
but the enemy had gone, the main body moving northward, and the
rest scattering in small bands to avenge the death of their people
upon unoffending settlers. Eleven of Stillman's men were killed.
Their mutilated remains were gathered and buried, and the place is
known as "• Stillman's Kun " to this day It is supposed that nearly
all of those who were killed were not in the first melee, as all but
two or three of the bodies were found on the side of the creek upon
which Stillman camped; they were probably unable to get to their
horses before the savages dashed through their camp. Being out of
provisions the pursuing army were obliged to return to Dixon's
Ferry, to await the arrival of the boats. This defeat was the open-
ing of hostilities, and justice compels the impartial historian to re-
cord that the whites were the aggressors."

Had tlie counsel of Captain Dement been followed, at this time
a conflict and loss of valuable lives might have been averted. On
the captain's return with his scouting party to Dixon's Ferry, he
informed the commanding general of the situation of Black Hawk,
and the friendly attitude of those of his army they had met. No
blood having been shed, he thought that the chief could have been
induced to return peaceably to his home in Iowa; and the account
afterward given by Black Hawk indicated that the captain was cor-
rect in his judgment of the situation.

Said Black Hawk: "Never was I so much surprised in my life
as I was in this attack. An army of three or four hundred, after
having learned that we were suing for peace, to attempt to kill the
flag-bearers that had gone, unarmed, to ask for a meeting of the
war chiefs of the two contending parties to hold a council, that I
might return to the west side of the Mississippi, to come forward,
with a full determination to demolish the few braves I had with me,
to retreat, when they had ten to one, was unaccountable to me. I
sent a flag of peace to the American war chief, expecting as a matter
of right, reason and justice, that our flag would be respected."

The expected provisions having reached Dixon's Ferry, the army
again moved north, following the Indians to Fox river.

"The term of enlistment having expired, the volunteers demanded
to be dismissed. They were mustered out May 26 or 27, and a new

THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 49

call issued for volunteers. Whitesides and two or three hundred vol-
unteers remained in arms for the protection of the settlers until the
new levies could be organized. These, with several companies of
regulars, made their headquarters at Dixon's Ferry. .Ranging com-
panies were formed to keep up communication between the lead mine
region and more southern counties. Maj. Riley, of the United
States army, converted the former residence of O. W. Kellogg, at
Kelldgg's Grove, thirty-seven miles northeast of Dixon, into a small,
well appointed stockade, and other temporary fortifications were
raised in different localities."

During this time Black Hawk was making the best possible way
north to the Four Lakes, to find safety for his women and children.

"The fatal act of Stillman's men precipitated all the horrors of In-
dian border warfare upon the white settlements in Jo Daviess coun-
ty, as it then existed, and in the adjoining portions of Michigan
Territory. Nor is it certain that all the outrages were perpetrated
by the "British Band." It is certain that young Pottawatomies
and Winnebagoes joined Black Hawk, and, after the war suddenly
closed at Bad Axe, it was ascertained that many of the murders had
been committed by these Indians. Among the first results of" Still-
man's defeat " was the descent of about twenty-five Indians upon an
unprotected settlement at Indian creek, where they massacred fif-
teen men, women and children, and captured two young women,
Sylvia and Rachel Hall. These girls, seventeen and fifteen years
old respectively, were afterward brought in by Winnebagoes to Gra-
tiot Grove, and were ransomed for $2,000 in horses, wampum and
trinkets. Part of the compensation agreed upon by Gen, Dodge for
their ransom was paid to "Whirling Thunder," one of the Winne-
bago chiefs, at Dixon's Ferry.

"The atrocities perpetrated by the Indians upon the bodies of
their victims aroused the vengeance of the settlers and miners,
many of whom had previously felt that the Indians were not so
much in fault, and had needlessly been provoked to bloodshed. Un-
expected and mortifying as the beginning of this war had been, its
relinquishment was not dreamed of, and every eff'ort was made to en-
sure future protection. A fair wagon road was made from Dixon's
Ferry to Rock Island, which was the base of supplies. Another
road, but more imperfect, was made from Rock Island to Fort Kosh-
kanong (near Madison, Wisconsin,) and to other temporary fortifica-
tions. Conforming to the inevitable, a fort was constructed on the
north side of the river, consisting of two block houses within an in-
closure made by a breastwork of sod and earth four and a half feet
high, and abutting on the river a few rods west of the ferry. The

50 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

northeast block house was two stories high, and was so arranged as
to command the north and east sides of the fort. Here Captain
Pahner was stationed with one company of United States infantry
to guard the ferry, thus atfording a safe and speed}" passage to pass-
ing troops at all times, endearinghimself to citizens and soldiers alike
by his gentlemanly bearing and deportment.

" On Saturday, May 19, Sergeant Fred Stahl (now a respected citi-
zen of Cialena) and four privates, with John Winters, the mail con-
tractor, tor guide, left Galena to bear dispatches to Gen. Atkinson,
who had arrived at Dixon's Ferry. On the evening of that day they
were ambuscaded by Indians just at the edge of Buffalo Grove, now
in Ogle county. One of the party was instantly killed and the
others narrowly escaped to Galena.

"May 23, Felix St. Train, agent for the Sacs and Foxes, bearer
of dispatches, left Gen. Atkinson's headquarters, at Dixon's Ferry,
accompanied by six men. At Buffalo Grove they found the body of
the volunteer that had been killed a few days before, and buried it.
The next day (24th) they were attacked by a party of thirty Indians,
near "Kellogg's old place.'' St. Train and three others were
killed. The remaining three escaped and arrived at Galena on the
morning of the 26th.

"•On the 15th of June the new levies of 3,000 volunteers, in
camp at Foi't Wilburn, near La Salle, were formed into three
brigades, under command of Gen. Atkinson. The first brigade was
commanded by Gen. Alexander Posey ; the second by Gen. Milton
R. Alexander, and the third by Gen. James D. Henry. They moved
to Dixon's Ferry a few days after.

'' Capt. John Dement was elected major of an independent spy bat-
talion, consisting of three companies of about 140 men, belonging to
Gen. Posey's brigade. Maj. Dement was sent in advance of the main
force to report Indian depredations that had been committed in the
Bureau woods, to Col. Taylor at Dixon's Ferry. After scouring the
woods he arrived at the river the evening of the second or tliird day.
He arrived just after two C(jmpanies of regulars had been driven in
from an attempt to keep open the load between Galena and Dixon.
Taylor met Dement as he arrived, and informed him that he had
come just in time — that he had just the place for him, and directed
him to swim his horses across the river in the morning and receive
his orders. In Maj. Dement' s command were men who had held
nearly every office in the state from governor down. His men were
fatigued from their long ride and expected a short rest when they
arrived at the river. Dement, although ready to do his duty without
flinching, was desirous of not appearing anxious to get his men prema-

thp: black hawk war. 51

turely into a fight, when the regulars could not hold their own, and
a large force of volunteers were so soon to arrive ; he therefore re-
quested Col. Taylor, when he should deliver him his orders, to read
them to his men, that they might know that he (Dement) was not re-
sponsible for the movement. As they were ready to start, Taylor
read the orders, and then addressed the men in a very abrupt man-
ner, alluding to the unfortunate propensity of the Illinois militia for
running away, and said that if they wished to sacrifice the reputation
of the militia, already so poor, they had an opportunity to do so.

"Maj. Dement replied that the discontent Col. Taylor alluded to
was greatly exaggerated, and its cause by no means understood,
and allusion to the courage of the soldiers, unjust and entirely
uncalled for from men who, with the experience of the regular
army would entrench themselves behind walls and send to the front
men who had never seen service. Then telling his men that none
need obey his orders to march that didn't wish to go, he moved off,
and all, save one man, followed, and he came up after they had gone
a short distance. By evening of the second day they arrived at the
stockade at Kellogg' s Grove, and encamped. In the morning, learn-
ing that an Indian trail had been seen four or five miles from the grove
where they were encamped, the major called for twenty-five volun-
teers to go and investigate. These were immediately forthcoming,
and among them were the only captains he had in his command.
These men started just before sunrise, leaving Maj. Dement giving
instructions to those who remained, and on reaching the edge of the
grove they discovered seven Indians a few hundred yards on the
prairie. The cry of "Indians!" was raised, when the men in the
grove sprang to their horses in confusion, and by the time Maj.
Dement had brought them to order and finished his instructions, the
volunteers were a mile out on the prairie in pursuit. Being splendidly
mounted Maj. Dement rapidly overtook a number of them, but sev-
eral were too far in advance ; the Indians making for another grove
some three miles away, where Dement was convinced a large num-
ber of Indians lay concealed. Finding it was impossible to overtake
some five or six who were in advance, on arriving at a ridge some
400 yards from the grove to which the Indians were running, he
halted the remainder of his men and formed line. As he feared, 'on
nearing the grove those in advance were received with a warm fire,
which killed two and wounded a third, and with hideous yells a large
body of Indians poured from the grove, extending to the right, and
left, to outflank the little band, and rapidly approached. They were
all mounted, stripped to the skin, and painted for battle. As the
Indians reached the bodies of the dead soldiers a large number sur-

52 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

rounded them, clubbing and striking the lifeless remains. A volley
from the rifles of Maj. Dement' s men killed two or three at this
point, but by the time two or three men had reached the ridge, the
Indians were close upon them, and were on both flanks. Then came
an exciting race for the grove, Indians yelling, bullets flying, and woe
to the man whose horse stumbled or gave out !

"Here occurred an unfortunate circumstance: Three men whose
horses had strayed during the night had, early in the morning, gone
out in search of them, and were now caught on one of the flanks. The
Indians swept over them, killing every one.

"The men in the grove hearing the firing and yelling, instead of
remaining in ambush as they had been instructed, mounted in hot
haste and started to the rescue of their comrades. On discovering
the superior force of the Indians, they fell back again and reached
the grove with 9Y0 men, and almost neck and neck with the Indians,
sprang from their horses and occupied the log house and barn there
situated. On the least exposed side of the house was a work-bench ;
over this Dement threw his bridle rein, and most of the horses in-
stinctively huddled together at this house as if conscious of danger.
As the Indians swarmed int(j the grove and covered themselves, an
ominous stillness for some minutes prevailed, which was soon broken
by the sharp crack ! crack ! of many rifles. The best marksmen
and best rifles were placed at the port-holes and a lively fire was
kept up by the little garrison. The Indians finding they made no
impression turned their attention to shooting the horses, some twenty-
five of which they killed. It was unpleasant to the volunteers,
who rode their own horses, to hear the crack of the rifle and the
heavy thud of the bullet and see some favorite horse spring as the
ball struck it. After a sharp contest of an hour or two, the Indians
withdrew, leaving nine dead and losing probably several others killed
and wounded. Reinforcements were sent for the relief of Dement
from Dixon's Ferry, but too late to assist him or follow the retreat-
ing body of Indians.

" It is a remarkable fact that this was the first instance during this
war where the Indians were defeated and the position of the volun-
teers held until reinforcements came up. Previous to this the de-
tachments of troops were always driven back to the main army by
the overwhelming numbers of Indians. After this fight the Indians
would not come to open battle of their own volition with the whites,
and the onl)^ fights that occurred were when the soldiers overtook
the Indians in their retreat; which style of warfare continued until
hostilities ceased with Black Hawk's surrender in August."

Black Hawk described the battle in which he claimed to have two

THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 53

hundred warriors in the following manner: "We started in a direc-
tion toward sunrise. After marching a considerable time I discovered
some white men coming toward us. I told m j braves that we would
get into the woods and kill them when thej approached. We con-
cealed ourselves until they came near enough and then comnaenced
yelling and firing and made a rush upon them. About this time
their chief, with a party of men, rushed up to rescue the men we had
fired upon. In a little while they commenced retreating and left their
chief and a few braves who seemed willing and anxious to fight. They
acted like hraves^ but were forced to give way when I rushed upon
them with my braves. In a short time the chief returned with a
larger party. He seemed determined to tight and anxious for a
battle. When he came near enough I raised the yell and firing com-
menced on both sides. The chief, who seemed to be a small man,
addressed his warriors in a loud voice, but they soon retreated, leav-
ing him and a few braves on the battle-field. A great number of my
warriors pursued the retreating party and killed a number of their
horses as they ran. The chief and his few braves were unwilling to
leave the field. I ordered my braves to rush upon them, and had
the mortification of seeing two of my chiefs killed before the enemy
retreated. Tliis young chief, Col. Dement, deserves great praise f(»r
his courage and bravery. During tlie attack we killed several men and
about forty horses, and lost two young chiefs and seven warriors."

Gen. Atkinson commenced his slow and cautious march up the
river about the 25th of June, and finally reached lake Koshkanong, Wis-
consin, where he was joined by Gen. Alexander's brigade, and then
continued his march to White river, or Whitewater, where he was
joined by Posey's brigade and Maj. Dodge. Gen. Alexander, Gen.
Henry and Maj. Dodge were sent to Fort Winnebago for supplies.
Here they heard that Black Hawk was making liis way toward the
Wisconsin river, and, disobeying orders, Henry and Dodge started
in pursuit (Gen. Alexander and his brigade returned to Gen. Atkin-
son), struck the broad fresh trail of tlie Indians, and followed them
with tireless energy. Black Hawk was overtaken at the Wisconsin
river, and his braves offered battle to enable the women and children
to cross the river. The battle of Wisconsin Heights was fought on
July 22, 1832, at which the Indians were badly whipped. Skirmish-
ing commenced a little after noon, but the heaviest fighting was
about sunset. About ten o'clock the men bivouacked for rest on
their arms.

The next morning not an Indian remained on the east side of the
Wisconsin. Gen. Henry pushed back for supplies, and Gen. Atkin-
son's forces coming up. the pursuit was renewed and the battle of

54 inSTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Bad Axe was fonglit August 2, 1832. This terminated tlie war, and
Black Hawk's surrender, subsequent visit to Washington, and return
to his people in Iowa, are events familiar to the reader. Black
Hawk claimed : "In this skirmish with fifty braves I defended and
accomplished my passage over the Ouisconsin (Wisconsin) with a
loss of only six men, though opposed by a liost of mounted militia."

At the close of the war the United States troops that had not
previously been discharged were mustered out at Dixon's Ferry.
The pack horses from all the territory between Dixon and the Wis-
consin river, the mining region and the scene of Black Hawk's de-
feat were gathered and corraled here, preparatory to being driven
farther south for sale in more densely settled portions of the state.
The wounded and sick soldiers were brought here and carefully
nursed and cared for.

By the terms of Gen. Scott's treaty at Rock Island the Winne-
bago Indians were to have 40,000 rations of bacon and flour, as a
remuneration for the sufferings they had endured during the sum-
mer by the occupation of their hunting grounds. The rations for
the Rock river band of that nation were moved here in boats from
Rock Island, and Father Dixon appointed to distribute it to the
Indians at his discretion.

It is an interesting circumstance that at this remote outpost of
civilization there met a number of men since famous or infamous in
their country's service : Gen. Scott, Col. Zachary Taylor, subse-
Cjueutly president of the United States ; Gov. Reynolds, and Gen.
Atkinson ; Lieut. Robert Anderson, the defender of Fort Sumter ;
Maj. John Dement, now of Dixon ; private Abraham Linccdn, after-
ward president of the United States during the rebellion ; and
Lieut. Jeff. Davis, afterward the leader of the rebellion. These
were all here in their country's service.

When Maj. Anderson visited Washington after the evacuation of
Fort Sumter, during a conversation the president said: " Majcjr, do
you remember of ever meeting me before ;?" "ISTo," replied Ander-
son, "I have no recollection of ever having that pleasure. "'My
memory is better than yours," said Lincoln, "You mustered me
into the U. S. service as a high private of the Illinois volunteers at
Dixon's Ferry in the Black Hawk war."

During this war, and, in fact, for years after. Father Dixon's log
h(nise was a "house of calT' for the traveler and the wandering
tribes of red-men. There might have been seen the raw-boned
Hoosier bound for tlie lead mines, yellow-breeched Sucker with his
boat-shaped "prairie schooner," with four, five or six yoke of oxen;
the tramping hunter, the Pottawatomie, the cunning Winnebago, or

THE BLACK HAWK WAE. 55

the treacherous Sioux ; all these were welcomed under the hospitable
roof of the white-haired pioneer, whom the Indians called Na-chusa
— the white-haired — and were made to keep the peace with one an-
other about the friendly fireside of him whom both the red and the
white man loved and respected.

Early in the spring of 1833 the Winnebago Indians became res-
tive, and many families again abandoned the homes to which they
had so recently returned. Father Dixon's old counselor could not
talk so assuring of liis own tribe as in 1832. He frankly admitted
the trouble that was likely to follow, and faithfully said that the tem-
per of his people was too uncertain for assured peace. The peaceful
family in the okl log house was broken up, and mother Dixon, with
the children, went to Peoria county, and remained there until the
war-cloud passed over. The last of the Indians left in 1836.

During the Black Hawk war Father Dixon liad the contract for
supplying the army with beef from the time the Wisconsin river
was crossed until the final battle of the Bad Axe river. His place on
the march was in the rear of the army, and many times he was left
so far behind as to be out of supporting distance. It so happened on
the march, that at one time midnight was passed before he came to
camp. He was hailed by the sentinel with the snap of the lock of
the gun in the sentinel's hands and the words: "Who conies
there?" Father Dixon replied: '' Major of the Steer Battalion."
The soldier gave the order: "Major of the Steer Battalion, march
in." This sally of wit on both sides was the foundation of Father
Dixon's military title. Another time he had been ofi" the trail hunt-
ing one of his beeves, and on again returning to the trail he suddenly
found himself face to face with two Indians, who were as much as"
tonished at the meeting as he was. It was no time for ceremony.
All were armed ; Father Dixon lowered his gun and, walking about
five rods, gave his hand to the nearest savage, saluting him in Win-
nebago. The Indian replied in Winnebago. Father Dixon and both
the Indians were alike overjoyed at this unexpected good fortune — ■
Father Dixon, that he was permitted to save his scalp for another
day ; the Indians, that they had found some one understanding their
own language, under whose influence they could safely be introduced
to Geii. Atkinson, for whom they had important dispatches. Their
life was endangered to be seen by a soldier, and they felt their peril
and were in serious embarrassment about how to approach the army.

The Black Ilaroh Canoe. — On the surrender of Black Hawk at
the battle of Bad Axe his canoe was captured and afterward broken
into pieces and carried ofli" as relics. One fragment of black walnut
timber fell into the hands of Mr. Geo. J. Anderson, of Dixon, who

56 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

worked it into three walking-sticks, and on the occasion ot an old
settlers' reunion at Dixon, one, which had been mounted with a
golden head, was publicly presented to Col. John Dement as a
memento of his conflict in battle with the brave warrior during the
Black Hawk war. The presentation was made by Dr. Oliver Everett,
of Dixon. It was a complete surprise to Col. Dement, and awakened
emotions through vivid recollections of the scenes of early military
life. Mr. Anderson holds in possession one of the three canes, for
which he has refused the liberal sum of ten dollars, although it is
unfinished and unmounted with gold or silver.

AFTER THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

Peace and quiet were soon restored at Dixon's Ferry, and there
were signs of returning travel and consequent prosperity.

The first notion store was opened in 1833, in the block-house
which stood on the north side of the river, by a Mr. Martin,
'\where," says a pioneer writer, "the prime necessaries of life were
sold ; such as pipes, tobacco, tea, cofiee and sugar were sold to
meet the wants of advancing civilization. Life's luxuries, — shoes,
boots and clothes, — were not yet so imperative."

In the winter of 1833 and 183-1 a school was opened in the house
partly built by Ogee and finished by Mr. Dixon. This was the first
house erected at the Ferry, and this the first school opened in the
bounds of Lee county. The pioneer writer, in the History of Dixon,
says of this school : " Unpretentiously it was the pioneer of the more
costly school edifices of our town. Its teacher and only one of its
scholars survive to live in memory of its feeble infancy. There are
structures where better facilities can be had for a sound education,
but none are found where a more genuine good will prevails than
existed in that old log house."

Mr. John Dixon having secured under the preemption laws the
northeast quarter of section 5, township 21, range 9 east, of 4th prin-
cipal meridian, he laid out the first plat of the present city of Dixon
as early as 1834 or 1835 ; a Mr. Bennett, from Galena, making the
survey. The second house built at Dixon's Ferry was on the south
side of the river, and was built by James Dixon, back of where the
Exchange building now stands. It was a log cabin about sixteen fe t
square, with a small "lean-to" built against the east side of the
house used as the village post office, where Mr. John Dixon distrib-
uted the mail to his neighbors. It is stated by old citizens that
this house and the old block-house on the north side of the river
disappeared about 1855. The foundation of the latter has jr.st been
exposed by the rushing of high waters in the Rock river at this

AFTER THE BLACK HAWK WAR, 57

writing, April 1881. After the close of the war the Indians lingered
in the vicinity of Lee county until 1836, when the last wandering
tribes of the red-men disappeared.

John K, Robinson, who came to Dixon's Ferry in May 1832,
and made his home with Mr. J. Dixon, and who now resides at Men-
dota, this state, writes: "In 1833, the last week of December,
Zachariah Malugin, with myself as his only assistant, built the first
house in Lee county, outside of Dixon, at the grove that still bears
his name. There was no other settlement made in Lee county that
year. A few months later the families of Gilmore and Christance
came to Malugin's Grove in the spring of 1835.

In 1833 and 1834 a settlement began in the southern part of the
county, in what is now known as East Grove township. Of this
neighborhood were Joseph Smith, H. W. Bogardus, Charles Falvey,
and F. Anderson, who settled in that early day, built their cabins,
and commenced opening up farms for their future homes.

About this time improvements were opened at Sugar Grove, now
in Palmyra township, in the northwest part of the county, where, in
April 1834, Isaac Morgan and his sons, Harvey and John, com-
menced the first improvements in that part of the county, and they
were joined by a number of families the autumn of the same year,
among whom may be mentioned Mr. Wright, Mr. Tomlin, Capt.
Oliver Hubbard, and John H. Page. In 1834 Stephen Fellows, with
a family of eight, Michael, Simon, Samuel, William, Alfred, George,
Albion, and Stephen. Absalom Fender, with a large family, came
in 1835, and also W. W. Bethea. To these were soon added C.
B. Anthana, Anson Thummel, Geo. L. Llerrick, Jack Kej)linger,
Enoch and Noah Thomas with their father, Nathan Morehouse, two
brothers, Sandy and Elkanah Bush, and Martin Richardson. These
families, with others who are worthy of note, but whose names will
appear in the chapter on Palmyra, soon attracted attention to the
fertile lands and beautiful groves of the northwest neighborhood,
and others followed soon to swell the number of the new settlement.

In May, 1834, Adolphus Bliss commenced a settlement at Inlet
Grove, to which was added that summer or autumn Ozra Wright
and two or three others. About this time Paw Paw Grove at-
tracted the attention of Charles Morgan, J. Alcott and David A.
Town, first settlers in Wyoming township. Mr. Harris, the
father of Benjamin Harris, who came with his father and brother
and a large train of relatives, settled at this grove. These were
followed by a Mr. Gillett and Levi Kelso, Esq., who settled at
the north side of the grove. During this time, when settlements
were springing up like magic in different parts of the county, the

58 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

settlement at Dixon's Ferry was by no means neglected, but it
being the center of attraction of a large scope of country, because
of the United States mail and store supplies reached at this place,
there were additions made to the community. In the summer of
1834 a Mr. Bush, brother-in-law of Judge Logan, lately deceased in
Chicago, opened a farm below Dixon on the north side of the river,
now owned by J. T. Lawrence. The same summer John K. Robiii-
son, now of Mendota, opened a farm on the north side of the river
two miles below Dixon, and was joined afterward by two sons (jf
John Dixon. This farm has been since known as the Graham farm.

Probably the third house erected on the south side of the river
in Dixon was by Judge Wilkinson, on the corner of Water and Ga-
lena streets, and was built near the time James P. Dixon erected his
house, mentioned above. Judge Wilkinson purchased the Kirk-
patrick place.

In Dixon, as in all places of central interest, the spirit of compe-
tition was early manifested. The future of the locality seemed to be
impressed upon the minds of some of the most enterprising citizens,
ami they began to cast about to best establish themselves for the in-
coming tide. Mr. Bush, below Dixon, established a ferry across tie
river opposite his farm. A Mr. Kirkpatrick, who settled one and
a quarter miles below Dixon, attempted to start a town on his prem-
ises called Burlington, but stakes and a euphonious name will not
build a city any more than an act of congress, recognizing the Rock
river as a navigable stream, will send the great steaniersup her chan-
nel without legislating a greater supply of water to float the craft
with her cargo ; so the enterprise, laudable as it may have been,
failed, as did also the ferries above mentioned.

"In the autumn of 1834," says Mr. J. K. Eobinson, "Mr. Holl-
ingshead made arrangements for the erection of a log house south-
east of Grand Detour, which was built in January 1835." Mr. Holl-
ingshead, not finding the country congenial to his tastes, returned to
Kentucky. Cyrus Chamberlin, Esq., who came to this vicinity in
1835, purchased this farm, on which he lived, occupying the position
of county commissioner for a number of years until his death, which
he met in a ripe old age.

In the winter of 1834 Grand Detour was taken by Leonard'Andruss
and W. A. House, where for many years the former ran a plow factory
in connection with Mr. Deere, now of Moline.

In 1835 Judge Wikinson built a saw-mill at the foot of Peoria
street. Mr. Talmage, and other mechanics from Buffalo, ISTew York,
came to Dixon to perform the work. It seems that this mill, how-
ever, was run but a short time by Messrs. Huff & Thompson, and

AFTER PIIE BLACK HAWK WAK. 59

eonvei'ted into a distillery and vinegar factory. This was the first
saw-mill in the bounds of Lee county, and it is to be regretted that
it so soon met a sad fate. In the same year Smith Gilbraith also
bought in Dixon, and figured largely in the public affairs of the
town until his death.

In the spring of this year, 1835, Mr. Joseph Crawford arrived in
Dixon, where he still resides, having served as first surveyor in Ogle
county, which then embraced Lee, and afterward was first surveyor
in Lee county. Mr. Crawford cultivated a farm near the Grand De-
tour. The Messrs. Cutshaws arrived in Dixon the same year, and
were Dixon's first carpenters. During the previous year, 1834, the
township of Dixon was surveyed by the government, although the
citizens were not prepared to eflfect an organization for some years
later. About this time, as before stated, Dixon's Ferry was surveyed
and platted for the first time, and will be more particularly noted in
the chapter on the city of Dixon, In prospect of the growing town,
and for the accommodation of the traveling public, the first house
built by Ogee and Mr. Dixon was converted into a tavern in 1835,
and in the early part of 1836 Messrs. Chapman and Hamilton opeiied
a store in the "block" part of this building. Dixon could now
boast of a post-office, store, and a house of public entertainment.
It was about this time that Mr. John Dixon removed to his farm, w hich
was situated a little southeast of where the ^Northwestern depot now
stands. During 1835 Mr. Hamilton, above mentioned, erected the fii'st
frame house built in the town. This residence stood opposite the
house of James P. Dixon.

" Other improvements in the vicinity of Dixon were made as. early
as 1835. Dr. Forest, from Kentucky, opened the Woodford farm.
George A. Martin commenced improvements on the Truman farm.
Mr. E. W. Co veil was building up on the north side of the river, and'
Caleb Talmage was improving a farm about one mile south of Dixon.
Dr. Forest had erected a log house on the corner of Water and Ottawa
streets, and John Wilson had erected a blacksmith shop on Main
street. On September 3, 1836, Dr. Oliver Everett came to Dixon,
where he still resides as one of the oldest citizens of the city."

About this time Mr. Badger, then an aged gentleman, located
with several sons near the present city of Amboy, and was soon fol-
lowed by Benjamin Wasson, L. C. Sawyer, Asa Searls, Joseph Doane,
and John Dexter. The same year Mr. Wily settled in Franklin Grove,
and became one of the contestants of an early claim trouble, which
was adjusted by arbitration, Mr. John Dixon and two others serving
as arbitrators in the case.

Other families were being added to the little settlements begun in

60 HTSTOKY OF LEE COUNTY.

other parts of the county. John Gihiiore settled in Brooklyn town-
ship, and R. Town, B. Harris, and J. Alcott in Wyoming.

In the autumn of 1836 the village then consisted of the "old
mansion," the original home of Mr. John Dixon; James P. Dixon's
house before described ; a small frame building opposite Mr. James
Dixon's, built by Mr. Hamilton the previous year; also on the
opposite side of the street from this, and a little east, stood a
small building which had been erected and occupied by John Wil-
son, an old bachelor, who occupied a small addition to the smith
shop as his residence. In 1837 the latter was finished above, floor
laid, and walls plastered, after which it was occupied as a court-
house. The first court of Ogle county, which at that time embraced
Lee, was held in this building. It was afterward occupied by the
engineer corps of internal improvements.

In the winter of 1836 and 1837 Peter McKinney and H. Thomp-
son opened a new hotel, called the Western Hotel, which is now
the northern part of the Huntley House. These gentlemen had
charge at the same time of the "Tavern" in Dixon's oriii;inal log
house.

In the month of December of this year the original county of
Ogle was organized, then including the present territory of Lee
county. Referring to the poll list, there were but two hundred votes
cast, although it was claimed to be a hotly contested election; and
all legal voters of six months residence were entitled to a vote.

Up to 1836 the wandering tribes of Indians still lingered in the
vicinity of Lee county, but during this year they bid adieu to their
former hunting grounds and the graves of their fathers, and turning
westward they sought a retreat from the advancing civilization of
the white man, beyond the surging waters of the Mississippi. Their
Removal gave assurance of safety to the homes and families of the
pioneers. This change was the signal for the advance of the pio-
neer corps from Kentucky and Tennesee, who laid off claims by
driving stakes, turning a furrow, or beginning a cabin house. By
the autumn of 1837 the claims covered all the prairie lands skirting
the timber. The holders of tins land secured their title to the same
from the government under the preemption laws. These claims had
to be respected, as the pioneer settlements were a "law unto them-
selves," in mutually protecting each others' interests. The writer has
been told of a stranger coming forward to bid in lands that had been
covered with a previous claim, when a number of pioneers tied him
to a tree and leveled their i-ifles at him, when he recalled his bid,
and on being released he withdrew, leaving the claimants to secure
their lands from the government without further competition.

,^-5b

tfOiy'K , y-^^^^Z^^^A^

AFTEK THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 63

In 1837 a claim association was formed for the protection of
members in their "reasonable claims made according to the customs
of the country." The following list of names shows the citizens who
became original members in 1837 and 1838: Samuel C. McClure,
Hugh Moor, Samuel Anthony, John H. Champlin, James Moor,

A. Menten, S. K. Anthony, Henry Moon, Cyrus Chamberlin, Will-
iam G. Elder, Josiah H. Moores, J. D. Pratt, Robert Murry, Ed-
win Hine, I. S. Boardman, jr., J. B. Dills, Alonso Dickerman,
John Richards, Caleb Tallmage, Charles Franks, Smith Gilbraith,
Oliver Everett, Joseph Crawford, Timothy L. Miner, Samuel M.
Bowman, James Kent, Moses Crumby, Major Cliamberlin, Daniel
Koons, JSTehemiah Hutton, James M. Santee, William P. Burroughs,
Thomas S. Bunner, Charles F. Hubbard, John Carr (by C. F. Hub-
bard), William Graham (by C. F. Hubbar>l), Eilward Brandon, G.
Metzlar, J. Caldwell, J. Young, James P. Dixon, John Dixon,
J. Murphy, James Evans (by John Dixon his agent), James W.
Stephenson (by S. Gilbraith), John W. Dixon, Joseph Courtright,

B. B. Brown, Samuel Johnston, Jessee Bowman, James Hawley,
Thomas McCabe, W. C. Bostwick (by his agent John Dixon), John
Wilson, John Brandon, J. W. Hamilton, Ward Rathbone, Daniel
O'Brien, Stephen Fuller, and Jessee P. Baily.

As soon as settlements were established along the main thorough-
fares stage lines were opened and coaches were run regularly on the
more important routes. A main line was established between this
point and Galena. There were other lines centering at Dixon and
connecting with the main line to the Galena mines, as follows: The
Naperville and Chicago line ; the Troy Grove and Ottawa, and the
Windsor, Princeton and Peoria line. Dixon was the great transfer
station on the stage lines that traversed the country then as the
railroads do now. In the early settlement of the country "every
dwelling house," says a writer, "was a place of entertainment, and
the hospitable dwellers of the then hastily erected houses, most of
which were of logs, were always ready to furnish the weary traveler
with the best that the country afforded." But as the travel through
this country increased it became necessary that Dixon should be
provided with more extensive accommodations than private dwell-
ings could give ; and in the latter part of 1836 and the first of 1837
the Western Hotel was built, and during the same year the Rock
River House was erected by Messrs. Crowell and Wilson. This
was afterward known as the Phoenix.

In this year, 1837, S. M. Bowman and Isaac S. Boardman opened
the first dry-goods store in Dixon, on the corner of River and Galena
streets. Others had conducted a general notion trade before this,
5

64 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

which we have before mentioned in their proper places ; but of a
general dry-goods stock this tirm was the pioneer of Lee county.

In 1837 the number of families had increased in the different
settlements of Lee county. There were thirteen additions in Dixon,
besides others in the vicinity. In Wyoming, Charles Morgan, J. D.
Rogers, and others ; in Amboy, A. B. Searls and L. D. Wason in-
creased the number in their several neighborhoods.

About this time, or in 1836, William Guthrie made claim on sec-
tion 35 in Yiola township ; and Evens Adrian, of Ireland, followed
in the same township, and now owns a farm of eleven hundred acres
of land.

Attention was now being given to education in the older settle-
ments. Dixon built the first school-house in 1837, and a school
opened in the following year. This building was a small one-story
frame structure, erected at the expense of the friends of the cause,
detailed in the chapter on educational matters. This was the only
public building in the town until 1840, and served the purpose of
court-house, meeting-house, town-hall, and school-house.

The first death recorded in Dixon was in the autumn of 1836. A
man by the name of Lafferty died in the building on the corner of
Water and Galena streets, and was the first interment in the ceme-
tery.

The following extract from an old day-book used by Mr. John
Dixon during his dealings with the Indians may be of interest to the
reader, showing the manner of trafiic with those people :

Chief Cra?te,-

-Pach'W^ka.

Grey Head Potiowataraie.

Two shirts,

6

Gun worm,

1

Tobacco,

1

Steel on axe.

2

Two combs.

2

Making spear out of file.

2

Paint,

2

Bushing gun,

1

Corn,

2

Mending hoe,

1

Powder,

3

Blanket,

25

Salt,

1

Squaw axe,

2

Spear,

6

Shirt,

4

New axe for

old

one.

2

Looking glass,

2

Mending axe

'?

1

Flints,

1

One pair red leg

gins.

5

Two knives,

3

It is interesting to glance over the curious names and descriptions
of some of the Indians trading with Father Dixon a half-century
ago. Among his customers were : " Old Blue Coat," " Squirrel
Cheeks," "Yellow Man," the old "blind man's son," " Sour Head
Ox," "Doctor's Husband," "Raw Bone Black Face," "Limpy,"

THE ORGANIZATION OF LEE COUNTY. 65

"Consumption," "Blinky," " Daddy Walker," "Man that has a
sick wife," "Old Grey Head's fat son," "Canoe Thief," "Old
White Head Pottawatomie's son."

THE ORGANIZATION OF LEE COUNTY.

Previous to 1836 Jo Daviess county embraced all the northwest
part of the state, including the present territory of Lee, which was
embraced in what was called the Rock River precinct of Jo Daviess
county, and in the fall of 1836 the polls were opened for the presi-
dential election in that precinct in Dixon.

In December, 1836, Ogle county was organized ; and the first
court convened in the county was held in Dixon, September 1837.
Judge Stone was on the bench, and Thomas Ford, who was after-
ward chosen by the people governor of the state, acted as district
attorney by appointment of the judge.

On the 27th of February, 1839, the act of the general assembly
creating Lee county was approved by the official authority of the
governor of Illinois, and it became a law recognizing Lee as one of
the counties of the commonwealth. Messrs. D, G. Salisbury, E. H.
Nichols and L. G. Butler were appointed commissioners to locate the
county-seat, and in the prosecution of the duties imposed to their
trust these gentlemen, on the 31st of May 1839, selected Dixon as
the capital of the new county.

The following piece of ingenuity, called in an early day " sharp
practice," may be of interest : In 1839, when the state legislature
was in session in Vandalia, then the capital of the state, Mr. F. R.
Dutcher, now of Aml)oy, but then residing in Dixon, and Mr. Smith
Gilbraith visited Yandalia to present a petition to the general assem-
bly praying for the creation of the county of Lee, the name being sug-
gested by Mr. Dutcher in honor of Gen. Lee, who in after years be-
came notorious as the defender of the Confederate cause and surren-
dered to Gen. U. S. Grant at the close of the rebellion. On arriving
at Vandalia Messrs. Dutcher and Gilbraith found a Mr. Boague in
advance of them with a remonstrance from Buffalo Grove and Grand
Detour. The latter gentleman, however, had not his complete list
of names to his remonstrance, and was anxiously looking for other
papers from home that would give him a large majority of remon-
strators over the Dixon petitioners. The Dixon gentlemen knew if
Mr. Boague got in the full list of signatures to his remonstrance that
their cause would be defeated ; and to forestall this Mr. Gilbraith
perpetrated a very shrewd piece of business, by presenting himself
at the post-office on the arrival of the mail from the north and in-
quiring of the postman, "anything for Boague?" A package was

66 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

handed over, whidi went down into the great-coat pocket, and Mr.
Boague anxiously looked for the desired document in vain. And
what made the situation more sei-ious was that there was not sufficient
time to send back to his constituents foi- a duplicate list of remon-
strators before the adjournment of the legislature. Messrs. Dutcber
and Gilbraith were not satisfied with this piece of irregularity to secure
their purpose, but knowing Mr. Boague to be an abolitionist orator,
they encouraged the project of that gentleman to deliver an abolition
speech on a certain evening, to which the members of the legislature
were invited. The effect was, as designed, to alienate the sympa-
thies of the members of the general assembly from the orator and
his cause. This gave the situation to the petitioners, who obtained
the object for which they prayed.

Mr. Dutcher was not only one of the prime movers in securing
the creation of the county of Lee, but suggested the name which it
bears. He came to Dixon on May 9, 1838, armed with a letter of
introduction from Judge Massey, of New York, to Stephen A. Doug-
las, of Illinois, and on reaching Yandalia he inquired for Mr. Doug-
las. Douglas was pointed out to him, who was in the playful act of
trying, though a very small man, to climb a very tall Kentuckian
who was standing in the hall of the state house, Mr. Dutcher was
appointed postmaster in Dixon in 1839, and in the same year was
elected magistrate, in which office he served until 1846. In 1840 he
rode over the entire county of Lee on horseback and took the census
for that year, which enumeration amounted to 2035.

The first election of county officers was held on the first Monday
in August of the same year, which resulted in the election of the fol-
lowing persons : county commissioners, Charles F. Ingals, Nathan
R. Whitney, and James P. Dixon ; Isaac Boardman, clerk of com-
missioners' court; Aaron Wakely, sheriff; Joseph Crawford, county
surveyor ; H. Morgan, probate justice ; G. W. Chase, recorder.
The commissioners' court conducted the affairs of the county, in-
cluding that which is now done by the townships. The county com-
missioners held their first session in the Dixon school-house on Sep-
tember 13, 1839, for the purpose of organizing said county, and were
duly qualified by administering the proper oath of office to each
other; after which Isaac S. Boardman, jr., gave approved bonds and
took the oath of office as required by law. The court proceeded to
determine the terms of their respective offices by lot, which resulted
in three years' service to Charles F. Ingles and one year's term to
Nathan Whitney. There being but two members elect present, the
court adjourned to meet on the following Monday, at which time
James P. Dixon presented his certificate of election and took the

THE ORGANIZATION OF LEE COUNTY. 67

oath of office as a member of the court. His term of office was de-
termined to be two years. They having provided that the term ot
commissioners shoukl be for three years, it was determined as above
that two shoukl vacate the office before the expiration of the legal
term, that thereafter one might be elected annually.

At this session the court divided the county into six election pre-
cincts, and appointed judges of elections for the several divisions :
Gap Grove precinct, west of the river in the northwest corner of the
county ; election to be held at the house of William Martin ; judges
of election were Thomas J. Harris, William Morelin, and William
J. Johnson. Dixon precinct, embracing the present townships of
Dixon and Nelson, with a portion of South Dixon, and northeast
Nachusa. The place of elections was the Dixon school-house ;
judges of election were James Sairtu, Samuel M. Brown and Thomas
McCabe. Franklin precinct, which embraced what is now four town-
ships— Nachusa, China, Ashton, and Bradford — held elections at
the house of Jeremiah Whipple ; judges of election being Cyrus
Chambers, Jeremiah Whipple, and Daniel Cooper. The Winnebago
precinct embraced the territory of six present townships, Hamilton,
East Grove, May, Harmon, Marion, and the south lialf of South
Dixon ; the election to be held at the house of David Welty ; judges
of election, David Welty, Henry W. Bogardner, and Nathan Brooks.
Inlet precinct embraced the three townships of Amboy, Lee Centre,
and Sublette ; elections to be held at the house of Benjamin Whita-
ker ; judges of election were Daniel M. Dewey, Daniel Frost, and
Asa B. Searls. Winnebago precinct embraced all of Lee county east
of the third meridian, including six present townships. Elections
held at Malugin's school-house; judges of elections were David A.
Town, Zachariah Malugin and J. K. Robinson.

The clerk of the commissioners' court was instructed to procure
a seat for the court as soon as convenient for him to comply with said
order. The court issued treasury certificates for the first time in
favor of the several members of the court.

The commissioners' court met in special session, October 2,
1839 ; at which time a county election was ordered, to be held in the
several precincts of the county, for the purpose of electing two jus-
tices of the peace, and two constables in each precinct respectively.
At the same session the court ordered that the clerk give public
notice that sealed proposals would be accepted at the December
term of the court for the building of a stone court-house on the pub-
lic square in Dixon. The court subsequently received proposals for
building the court-house in brick, and also for the building of a county
jail. The court awarded the building of the court-house, per bid, to

68 TirSTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Samuel M. Bowman, and the building of the jail was awarded to
Zenos Aplington and G. G. Holbrook. The court-house was to be
built for the consideration of $6,800, in accordance with the bid sub-
mitted ; the commissioners contracting to pay an additional sum
for work not before specified. The jail was to be built for $1,495.

On March 7, 1840, John Morse was appointed first assessor for
the county, and at the same term of the court the county was di-
vided into sixteen road districts, and the following gentlemen were
appointed road supervisors in their respective districts : District
No. 1, John Morse; No. 2, William W. Bethea ; No. 3, S. A. Ma-
son ; No. 4, Lewis Davis ; No. 5, Solomon Shelhammer ; No. 6,
William • Seward ; No. T, James Hawley ; No. 8, — Scott; No. 9,
Otis Timothy ; No. 10, Charles S. Badger ; No. 11, Charles Stark ;
No. 12, Johnathan Peterson ; No. 13, Curtis T. Bridgman ; No. 14,
Henry W. Chocland ; No. 15, Abraham Y. Christiance ; No. 16,
John Sims.

The following list gives the names of the first county officers :
county commissioners, C. F. Ingals, Nathan Whitney, and J. P.
Dixon, elected in 1839 ; C(ninty judge, H. Morgan, elected in same
year ; county clerk and recorder, G-. W. Chase, in 1839 ; county
recorder, M. Fellows ; county treasurer, John Morse ; sheriff, A.
Wakely ; superintendent of schools, E. R. Mason ; county surveyor,
Joseph Crawford, from 1839 to 1844 ; coroner, Samuel Johnson,
from 1839 to 1841 ; circuit judge, Daniel Stone, in 1840.

The first term of the circuit court convened in the Dixon school-
house on the third Monday in April, 1840. Judge Stone, of Ga-
lena, presided. The members of the first grand jury had been sum-
moned on the third of the month to appear at the opening of the
court, as above, and consisted of the following citizens : William
Martin, Noah Beede, Reuben Eastwood, John H. Page, Oscar F.
Ayres, Elijah Bowman, John Brown, Thomas McCabe, Cyrus
Chamberlin, Cyrus R. Miner, Erastus De Wolf, David H. Birdsall,
George E. Haskell, Daniel M. Dewey, David Baird, James Bain,
Joseph F. Abbott, Peter T. Scott, Nathan B. Meek, John Willson,
Zachariah Malugin, John K. Robinson, and Jacob Kiplinger.

At the same time and for the same session of the circuit court a
petit jury was paneled, consisting of the following persons : Oliver
Hubbard, Simon Fellows, James M. Johnson, Benjamin H. Steward,
William F. Bradshaw, Hiram Parks, Jeremiah Murphy, Josiah
Mooer, Charles Edson, Joseph Crawford, Samuel McClure, John
Chamberlain, Edward Morgan, Amos Hussey, Daniel Frost, John
Done, Richard F. Adams, Sylvenus Peterson, Asa B. Searls, R. B.
Alben, William Guthrie, John Gilmore, jr., David AVelty, and

THE ORGANIZATION OF LEE COUNTY. 69

James S. Ball. The above lists may have been changed some from
the above footing by relieving some and substituting others. We
may notice in this connection that there has never been a district
court organized in this county up to the present writing (1881), the
circuit court holding jurisdiction over the criminal code.

The legal officers present at the organization given above were
as follows: The Hon. Dan Stone, judge; Aaron Waklee, sheriff;
Shelton L. Hall, circuit attorney, and George W. Chase, clerk.
After considering the bonds and securities of the constable, sheriff,
and coroner, the court proceeded with regular business.

The first appeal case tried in the circuit court was at its first
sitting in 1840, involving rights of property. Smith Gilbraith vs.
Buckner J. Morris. The first case of appeal from the justice court
was in a case of fine for an assault and battei-y. The fine, however,
being reduced from s27 to ^20, it was paid without further litigation.

In March, 1840, the boundaries of the road districts were
• changed, and their number increased to forty-two.

The first collector for Lee county was David Tripp, who received
his appointment in June, 1840 ; and at that time Richard F. Adams
was appointed to take the first census of the county.

In the year of 1840 the court-house was built according to the
contracts noted above, at the cost of |Y,610, and 80 acres of land ;
the former donated by the citizens of Dixon and the latter by the
founder of the city, John Dixon. The jail was also completed this year.

On the 16th of June the commissioners appointed Joseph Saw-
yer the first overseer of the poor, and David Tripp the first collect-
or for the county of Lee.

Bearing the same date (April 16, 1840) the first license to sell
intoxicating liquors in Lee county was issued to Rodney Burnett for
a term of two years, for which Rodney paid the sum of 25 cents.
And the first indictment by the grand jury for selling spirituous
liquors without license was at the first term of the circuit court in
1840.

In the autumn of 1840 the land office was removed from Galena
to Dixon. Mr. John Dixon visited Washington in this year, with
application for the removal of the land office to this city. Gen.
Scott being a personal friend of Mr. Dixon, and having been at
Dixon during the Black Hawk war and learned the topography of
the country, he rendered valuable aid to him in introducing him to
the president of the United States, Mr. Yan Buren, who issued the
order for its removal. Col. John Dement was appointed receiver,
and Major Hackelton register. These gentlemen were succeeded
by D. G. Garnsey, receiver, and John Hogan, register.

70 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Toumshij) Organizations. — Tlie original organization remained,
with regular change of officers, nntil 1850, when by virtue of an act
of the legislature, approved by the chief executive of the common-
wealth February 12, 1849, providing for the organization of coun-
ties and townships when a majority of the legal voters of a county
at any general election should so determine, by vesture of power in
three commissioners, organized and established boundary lines by
which the county of Lee was divided into ten civil townships.

Pmo Paw Township, embracing the three eastern political town-
ships, E"os. 37, 38, and 39 N., R. 2 E., of third meridian.

Brooliijn Townshlj), embracing the three political townships east
of the tliird principal meridian, E'os. 37, 38, and 39 N., R. 1 E., of
third principal meridian.

Hanno Tovynslivp embraced No. 19 N., R. 11 E., of the fourth
principal meridian.

Lee Center TownsJiip, embracing No. 20 IST., R. 11 E., of the
fourth meridian.

Bradford Township, embracing No. 21 N., R. HE., and the
S. \ of No. 22 N., R. 11 E., of the fourth principal meridian.

Hamilton Tovmshlp, embracing No. 19 N., R. 10, 9, 8E., of the
fourth principal meridian, and No. 20 N., R. 8 E., and the S. |^of No.
20 N., R. 9 E., of the fourth principal meridian.

Amhoy Township, embracing No. 20 N., R. 10 E., and the N. ^
of No. 20 N., R. 9 E., of the fourth principal meridian.

Tremont Townshlp>, embracing No. 21 N., R. 10 E., and the S.
part of No. 22 N., R. 10 E., of the fourth principal meridian, in Lee
county.

Dixon Township, embracing No. 21 N., R. 9 E., and that part
of No. 22 N., R. 9 E., of the principal meridian, which is situated
aud lying in Lee county.

Palmyra Townslilpj, e nbracing that part of No. 22 N., R. BE.,
that is in Lee county ; also that part of No. 21 N., R. 8 E., that is
S. of Rock river.

Palmyra Township, embracing that part of No. 22 N., R. 8 E.,
that is in Lee county ; also tliatpart of No. 21 N., R. 8 E., that is N.
of Rock river.

Prior to July 2 of the same year the name Wyoming was substi-
tuted for Paw Paw, and China was substituted for Tremont.

During 1855 the following townships were organized and added
to the original list, making in all thirteen townships, namely. May,
Willow Creek, and Marion. In 1857 Hanno was discontinued, being
superseded by Sublette. The same year Harmon was organized,
which was followed in 1859 by the creation of a new township called

THE ORGANIZATION OF LEE COUNTY. 71

Reynolds, after an early settler of that township. One township was
added in 1860, known as Nelson, and in 1861 the board of su])er-
visors created three new civil townships, Alto, Ogle, and township
38, political survey, which received in 1862 tlie name of Viola. Since
that date Ogle has been eliminated from the list and two added, Ash-
ton and South Dixon.

In February, 1871, the town of China was divided, and a new
township called Nachusa was created out of the territory composing
the W. |- of T. 21, R. 10 ; and also extending north on the same line
through T. 22, R. 10 E., of the fourth principal meridian to the
Ogle county line, being the W. -J of the present township of China.

In February, 1872, the town of Dixon was divided and a portion
thereof was added to the town of Nachusa, commencing at or near
the center of Rock river, at or near the center of Sec. 10, T. 22, R.
9 E., of the fourth principal meridian, at the point where the line
dividing the E. -J and the W. ^ of said Sec. 10 strikes the center of
said Rock river ; thence south on the half section line to the center
of Sec. 34 ; thence east to the center of Sec. 35 in the town and range
aforesaid ; thence south to the center of Sec. 2, T. 21, R. 9 E., of the
fourth principal meridian ; thence west 80 rods ; thence south to tlie
north line of South Dixon. Effort has been made to have a portion
of Nachusa thrown back to Dixon township, but the committee to
whom it was referred reported adversely and asked to be released
from any further consideration of the matter. This leaves the county
of Lee, at this writinu', with twenty-two civil townships, fifteen of
which are divided according to the political survey, while seven in
the N.W. J of the county were created irrespective of the political
townships.

County Office'r's.- — Below we give a list of all county officers from
the organization of the county to the present time :

County Commissioners. At the first election in 1839 three com-
missioners were elected ; after this one commissioner was elected
and one went out of office each j^ear. C. F. Ingals, Nathan Whit-
ney and J. P. Dixon were elected in 1839, A. E. Haskell in 1840,
Joseph Crawford in 1841, O. F. Ayres in 1842, J. C. Morgan in 1843,
D. Baird in 1844, D. H. Birdsall in 1845, James Goble in 1846, N.
"Whitney in 1846 (to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of D.
Baird), W. Badger in 1847, Stephen Fuller in 1848, John Gilmore
in 1848 to fill vacancy.

County Judges. H. Morgan from 1839 to 1843, O. A. Eddy to
'47, Lorenzo Wood to '54, David Welty to ^62, W. W. DeWolf to '69,
John D. Crabtree to '76, Jas. B. Charters present judge.

County Clerks. I. S. Boardman from 1839 to 1843, Chas. T.

72 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Chase to '49, J. B. Gregory to '53, Thos. W. Eustace to '61, Jas.
A. Hawley present clerk.

Circuit Clerks and Eecorders. G. W. Chase from 1839 to 1841,
C. T. Chase to '51, N. F. Porter in '51, I. S. Boardman to '57, G.
E. Haskell to '59, I. S. Boardman in '59, B. F. Shaw to '68, J. N.
Hyde to '76, R. AVarriner present Clerk.

Recorders. M. Fellows from 1839 to 1844, E. W. Hine to '50.
Since which time the circuit clerk has served as ex-officio recorder.

Treasurers. John Morse 1840 to 1843, N. Morehouse to '46, S.
Parker in '46, W. W. Bethea to 50, E. B. Stiles to '57, T. B. Little
to '59, E. B. Stiles to '63, J. T. Little to '71, Josiah Little to '76, F.
A. Truman to '79, Josiah Little present treasurer.

Sheriffs. A. Wakelee from 1839 to 1841, A. L. Porter to '42,
Jas. Campbell to '48, Jas. Goble to '51, A. L. Porter to '53, O.
Wheeler in '53, Wm. Butler to '56, O. Wheeler to '58, Lester Hard-
ing to '60, A. L. Porter to '62, Chas. F. Lynn to '64, E. P. Tread-
well to '66, T. L. Pratt to '68, G. M. Berkley to '76, J. N. Hills
to "78, Walter Little present sheriff.

Superintendents of Schools. E. R. Mason to 1840, J. T. Little
to '43, D. B. McKenney to '46, Lorenzo Wood to '50, J. Y. Eus-
tace to '53, John Stevens to"'55, S. Wright to '57, J. A. Hawley to
'59, John Monroe to '61, W. H. Gardner to '63, B. F. Atherton to
'65, J. H. Preston to '73, Daniel Carey to '76, J. H. Preston present
superintendent.

Surveyors. Joseph Crawford from 1839 to 1844, S. H. Whit-
m.ire to '46, S. Parker in '46, C. Camp to "49, J. Crawford to '55,
A. W. Tinkham to '57, M. Santee to '61, K. F. Booth to '63, W. B.
Andrus to '65, C. R. Hall to "67, Wm. McMahan to '80.

Coroners. Sani"l Johnson from 1839 to 1841, John Lord to '48,
Sol. Parker to '50, Jas. Goble to '54. D. B. McKenney to '56, H. O.
Kelsey to "64, J. Hatch, jr., to "66, H. Barrell to "70, A. E. Wilcox
to '78, J. E. Church present coroner.

State's Attorneys. Wm. E. Ives from 1872 to 1876, A. C. Bard-
well to '80, Charles B. Morrison present incumbent.

The Circuit Judges have been Daniel Stone two terms of 1840,
Thos. C. Browne to '48, B. R. Sheldon to '51, I. O. Wilkinson to '56,
J. W. Drurey in '56, J. V. Eustace to '61, W. W. Heaton to '78,
J. Y. Eustace present judge.

March 7, John Morse was appointed first assessor for the county.

The present county officers are as follows :

County Clerk — James A. Hawley.

Circuit Clerk — Remington Warriner.

Countv Treasurer — Josiah Little.

PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF LEE COUNTY. 73

County Recorder — Remington Warriner.
County Judge — James B. Charters.
County Sheriif— Walter Little.
County School Superintendent— Jas. H. Preston.
County Coroner — John C. Church.
State's Attorney — Chas. B. Morrison.

Judges 13th Judicial District — Hon. Wm. Brown, Hon. John Y.
Eustace, Hon. J. M. Bailey.

PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF LEB COUNTY.

Two or three years after the Black Hawk war the Indians were
removed from the northern part of the state, leaving the country
open for the white man to occupy. Settlers began to fill up the
country, and in a few years all the prairie land adjoining the groves
of timber was taken up. Dixon advanced from four families in
1836 to thirty-five or forty in 1838. In 1836, when Lee county was
embraced in Ogle, at a closely contested election growing out of a
rivalry between Dixon and Oregon, less than 200 votes were cast al-
together in the county, and that under the old state constitution, pro-
viding that all white inhabitants of six months' residence in the state
should be legal voters. One writer says : '' As early as 1838 several
wealthy families from New York and other parts of the country, at-
tracted by the beautiful scenery and fertile lands along the Rock
river, settled in the vicinity of Dixon. Among them were Capt.
Hugh Graham, an old gentleman of fine presence and courtly man-
ners, and Mr. Alexander Charters, familiarly called "the governor,"
whose genial, and characteristic hospitality, and whose picturesque
and finely kept place, two miles above the town, have been to thou-
sands the most attractive feature of a visit to Dixon."

Ill 1839 the general assembly having created Lee county, which
was approved February 27, 1839, the citizens of Dixon had the oppor-
tunity to retrieve their losses in their defeat for the court-house in
1836. On the location of the county seat at this place, with the or-
ganization of a new county and the erecting of the necessary public
buildings gave an impulse to the improvement and development of
the county. The removal of the United States Land Office from
Galena to Dixon in the autumn of 1840, and the establishment of
the ofiice of the engineer of the "Internal Improvement System"
at Dixon, gave the new county a prominence that but few have been
favored with.

It was reported for Lee county, in 1840, a population of 2,035.
Dixon precinct had a population of 725 ; 125 persons were employed
in agriculture, 17 in commerce, 55 at manufacture and trades, 12 in

74 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

the learned professions and engineering. There was one school and
30 scholars.

For a few years succeeding 1840 the county was of slow develop-
ment. "The state suifered from the great indebtedness and loss of
credit occasioned by the visionary and disastrous internal improve-
ment system of 1837, and increased in population very slowly from
1840 to 1850. The fear of taxation diverted emigration, and agri-
cultural interests languished for want of inter-communication. There
was no market for the products of the country nearer than Chicago,
and the expense of transportation of them was often equal to the
value of the products when sold. The cash trade of the interior
towns was meager, and a credit system, ruinous to the merchant and
demoralizing to the customer, prevailed."

The county, however, steadily advanced in population ; lands
were taken up and farms were being improved, so that by 1845 the
county had a population of 3,282, an increase of 1,247 since the cen-
sus of 1840 ; the village of Dixon had, at this time, a population of
400. There were in the county at this time 2 grist-mills, 5 saw-mills, 1
carding macliine and 1 iron foundry. The assessed value of property
in the county was |28,000 ; horses^ 900 ; cattle, 3,222 ; sheep, 2,197,
and hogs, 3,905.

In 1850. as noticed previously, there was a reorganization of the
county, at which time it was divided into towns, each being repre-
sented by a supervisor in the transaction of the county business,
which had been done by the board of commissioners. The board of
supervisors held their first session on May 13, 1850. At this time
the population of Lee county was 5,289, being an increase of 2.007
since 1845 ^ Dixon township's population was 1,073. The value of
real estate was $215,360, and of personal property $168,341. There
were twelve corporations or individuals in the county, producing ar-
ticles to the value of $5,000 annually. One was engaged in the man-
ufacture of harvesting machines ; one manufacturing plows ; one
producing lime ; two in lumber, and two in the milling business ;
the capital invested was $24,300 ; the average number of hands em-
ployed was twenty-three. The county had one academy, with two
teachers and forty pupils ; public schools, with forty-six teachers and
1,518 pupils. The average monthly wages for farm hands was $12,
and that paid to day laborers was 63 cents per day with board, and

75 cents per day without board; carpenters, $1.50 per day; female
domestics, $1.25 per week. Board for laborers could be obtained at
$1.50 per week.

Within the next decade the county made wonderful progress,
being less embarrassed by threatening taxation, while the Illinois

PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF LEE COUNTY.

75

Central railroad was opened through it in 1855, which contributed
largely to the development of the country. We find the population,
as given by the census of 1S60, for Lee county to be 18,854, an in-
crease from 1850 of 13,604, or a little over 1,300 annually. This
was the great decade of the popular increase of Lee county. Emi-
gration flowed in like a tide. The material wealth of the county
greatly increased. The decade of 1860 and 1870 increased 8,012
over the preceding ; so that the census of 1870 gave a total popula-
tion for the county of 26,866 ; this period embraced the years of the
great struggle during the rebellion. Emigration was greatly re-
tarded, and many of the brave sons of Lee county went to the front
at their country's call and never returned. During the period from
1870 to 1880 the population of Lee county increased 3,037 over 1870.
While there has been a great falling off in the increase of population
within the last census period, it arises from the fact that the lands
had been generally occupied ; that there was not the inducement to
land seekers as had formerly been. Some lands, however, were to
be improved, which brought in the faithful yeomanry from the east,
and manufacturing interests offered inducements to the mechanic, so
that in 1880 Lee county had a population of 30.186.

COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP CENSUS FROM 1850 TO 1880.

TOWNSHIPS.

1850

1860

1870

1880

Alto

504

158
354

687

1,072

315

475

293

587

808

301
2,507

1,253

1,324
1,712

3,408

355

148
763

1,007
688
362

1,055
288

1,123

729
1,237

832
4,104
1,007
1,086
1,335
2,351

757
4,687

765

186

542

1,028

397

747

600

1,109

742

905

1,300

639

1,019

1,280

Amboy

Ashton

4,699
1,009

848

Bradford

Brooklyn

1 296

China,

Franklin

Dixon

1,411

730

4,241

797

East Grove

Hamilton

427

Hanno

Harmon

1,254

1,229

903

848

Lee Center

Marion

May

Nelson

3 313

Palmyra

1,118
743
973

Reynolds

South Dixon

Sublett

1,384
685

Viola

Willow Creek

Wyoming

1,348
1,931

County

5,252

18,359

27,138

30,186

76

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Internal Improve'ments. — Yery early in the history of Lee coun-
ty a system of internal improvements was inaugurated in the state,
for which tax was laid upon the people that became a burden, em-
barrassed the settlement and growth of the state, and from which Lee
county suffered greatly. Railroads were contemplated as well as
the improvement of Rock river by a system of slack-water naviga-
tion. These works were begun and carried forward as long as the
state exchequer was flush, but it was afterward abandoned tor want
of means to carry forward the project. This being in 1836 and 1>^37,
before the county was developed, the embari-assment enforced upon
the new state deferred the building of railroads for near twenty
years, when the Illinois Central ran her first train across the Rock
river bridge at Dixon in 1855. This event was of first importance
to Lee county, causing not only the rapid growth of Dixon but the
founding of Amboy car works, which gave rise to the growth of that
young city. This road was followed by the Chicago & Northwestern
road, the Chicago & Rock River, and the C. D. & M. road.

The Dkcon Air Line Railroad was built by the Galena & Chi-
cago Onion Railroad Company from the junction, thirty miles west
of Chicago, in 1854 and 1855, The original design seems to have been
to make this a branch to operate as a feeder to the main line, tapping
the Rock river valley at this point. The subsequent rapid develop-
ment of the country and the constant increase of business induced its
extension westward, striking the "Father of Waters" at a point
opposite Clinton in Iowa. Soon after the Galena & Chicago Union,
with its branches, and the Northwestern (Chicago & Green Bay) were
consolidated under the general name of the Northwestern, a railroad
bridge crossing the Mississippi at Clinton was completed, and the
"Dixon Air Line" became one of the leading trunk lines between
Chicago and the Pacific coast. Mr. Charles Chase was appointed
agent at Dixon. The first business done in the receipt and shipment
of freights at this point was about February 10, 1855, five days before
that branch of business was commenced at the Illinois Central depot.
Mr. Chase was succeeded as agent by Mr. J. R. Stewart, Mr. Charles
Murray following, then Mr. George Rogers, who was succeeded by
the present agent, Mr. H. E. Hand.

BUSINESS DONE BY THE N. W. R. R. AT DIXON DEPOT FOR PREVIOUS YEAR.

FREIGHT FORWAKDED.

FREIGHT

RECEIVED.

Tonnage.

Unpaid.

Tonnage.

Unpaid.

18,595

$48,248.56

10,313

$31,409.62

PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF LEE COUNTY.

77

SALE OF TICKETS.

Local Tickets.

Coupon Tickets.

Extra Baggage.

$1,728.42

$668.95

$255

For 1880.

COAL RECEIVED AND FORWARDED.

Soft coal via. 111. Central and distributed
at Dixon for the company.

Hard coal received and delivered at
Dixon.

Weight.

Ch'g'spaidl.C.R.R.

Weight.

Unpaid.

49,290,700

$10,464.20

1,882,717

$2,076.41

GRAIN SHIPMENTS TO CHICAGO.

Wheat.

Corn.

Oats.

Barley.

Rye.

8,954

197,239

37,481

8,181

8,654

The Illinois Central was also built in 1854 and 1855. Its beauti-
ful iron bridge at this point was completed January 1, 1855 ; the last
rail was laid upon it in the midst of a furious northwest snowstorm
on that day. Receipts and shipments of freight commenced on Feb-
ruary 15, under Mr. Addison Chase as agent ; Mr. Chase was suc-
ceeded by Mr. S. Y. Pierce, then Mr. A. E. Mason, who was fol-
lowed by Mr. W. C. Wooley. The latter was appointed September
15, 1858.

In the summer of 1876 a project was formed for building the Rock
River Valley railroad, connecting the Rock Island & St. Louis with
the Chicago & Pacific, thus forming another trunk line between
Chicago and St. Louis and the great west and south. A company
was formed, with Mr. James A. Hawley, of Dixon, as president, sur-
veys and location made, grading commenced along the line of "Water
street in this city, when the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy ab-
sorbed the stock of the southern portion of the road, thereby crush-
ing the Valley road, together with all the fine schemes of the inhab-
itants, for the present, for the further development of the water
power and manufacturing interest of the valley. Some consolation,
however, for the loss of these prospective commercial advantages
lies in the fact that had the road been completed on the line as lo-

78 HISTORY OF LP:E COUNTY.

cated, the iron horse, with its trains of living freight and commerce,
would have marred some of the most beautiful natural scenery to be
found on the continent.

The Illinois Central enters the county on the south, crossing the
line twelve miles west of the southeast corner of the county, and
running due northwest passes Amboy to Dixon, where it crosses the
Rock river, following that valley two or three miles north, then bear-
ing west it passes out of the county five miles east of the northwest
corner of the county. The track of this road is laid through Dixon
on a high grade and system of arches over the principal streets, ai d
across the river by a magnificent iron bridge resting on huge stone
abutments and piers.

The Chicago & Northwestern enters the county on the north,
eleven miles west of the northeast corner, passing south of the city
of Dixon, where it crosses the Illinois Central, and passing down the
Rock river valley it emerges from the county on the west, one mile
north of the river.

The Chicago & Iowa, known as the Chicago, Dubuque & Minne-
sota road, crosses the northeast corner of the county dividing Alto
township, diagonally, into two ecpial parts.

The Chicago & Rock River road enters the county on the east,
at Paw Paw, four miles north of the southeast corner of the county,
and bearing north of west to Amboy, and from thence to the Rock
river, passing out of the county on the west two miles south of Rock
river.

Navigation. — But little can be said respecting navigation in Lee
county. Although congress recognized Rock river as a navigable
stream, they neglected to legislate >uflicient water in the channel, in
consequence of which tlie commercial world failed to utilize what
water already flowed between its banks. There are times, however,
that were it not for the bridges and dams that now obstruct the river
the heaviest Mississippi boats could safely pass up to Dixon. In an
early day the Mississippi river steamboats occasionally made trips up
Rock river. In April, 1838, the steamer Gipsey went up the river
as far as Oregon ; she had on board a load of bacon bought in St.
Louis by Mr. Phelps, of Oregon. There was some dissatisfaction
in regard to the contract and Mr. Phelps would not take the meat ;
Smith Gilbraith was aboard the boat and told the captain to turn
around and unload the bacon at Dixon. It was unloaded at the foot
of Peoria street. In July, 1844, the Lighter ascended the river as
far as Janesville, Wisconsin. Perhaps this is the time that Col. John-
son wanted the " boys" to "fire ofi'the stump " in honor of her arrival,
which some of the early settlers recall witli so much amusement.

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 81

It had been announced that a boat would be up the river on a
certain day, and preparations were made to receive her, and Col.
Johnson was selected to make the address of welcome to the captain
and crew. Being in primitive days there was no navy howitzer or
military field-piece with which to fire the salute. The colonel, how-
ever, was equal to the emergency, and ordered a stump, which stood
on the bank of the river, to be bored with a large auger, and loaded
with powder and tow, to be in readiness to fire ofi* on the approach
of the expected steamer. An adjacent saloon was chosen as the base
of observation. Here they would plan the reception, and anon appear
on the bank looking for the " smoke way down the river," which
was slow to appear. The day was far spent, and the sun was fast
sinking behind the western hills, and they were weary of waiting
and watching for the great water-witch, when the cry was raised,
"the steamboat is coming.'' Headed by the colonel the anxious
committee emerged from the saloon to hail the great steamer. It
was, however, but a small hull, but being blinded by weary watch-
ing the orator mistook the stranger for the long expected, and lifting
his hat he delivered his address of " welcome, welcome to our shores,"
and, turning to the artillerymen, the order was given, "Boys, shoot
off the stump;" and as the reverberations of the shooting stump
were dying away beyond the Rock river hills the little cruiser
rounded into port, and, safely mooring, received the honors which
were designed for one that did not come. The old citizens believe
until this day that the address of welcome and the cannonading in-
junction were appropriate to the occasion.

A small steamer is now plying between Dixon and Grand De-
tour, a run of nine miles up the river. In this distance there is a
fall of nine and a half feet, and the fiow of the current of Rock river
at low-water mark is 7,355 cubic feet of water per minute, which is
sufiicient for good water-power, but requiring slack water for naviga-
tion. This is met by the dam across the river at Dixon, which is
seven feet in height. In an early day the commissioners of Lee
county granted the right to build a dam across the river at Dixon.
Kow the river is spanned by bridges and obstructed by dams, an in-
dication that the idea of the profitable navigation of Rock river has

been abandoned.

COUNTY BUILDINGS.

Location. — The undersigned commissioners appointed by the act
creating the county of Lee " Approved February 27, 1839," having
been duly sworn and after examination, having due regard to the set-
tlements and convenience of the present and future population of said
county of Lee, do hereby locate the seat of justice for the aforesaid
6

82 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

county of Lee at the town of Dixon ; and have stuck the stake for the
place or point at which the public buildings shall be erected on the
quarter section composed of the west half of the northwest quar-
ter of the section four, township number twentj'-one, i-ange nine
east, of the 4th principal meridian, and tiie east half of the
northeast quarter of section number five, same township and
rano'e aforesaid. And we further report that the pi'oprietors and
owners of lots in the aforesaid town of Dixon liave executed cer-
tain bonds guaranteeing the payment of six thousand four hundred and
sixty dollars, which is exclusive of one thousand and fifty dollars
signed by Messrs. Gilbraith, Wilkinson & Dement, which is embraced
and included in a bond of three thousand dollars, and included above;
also one bond for a deed of eighty acres of land adjoining said town
of Dixon : all of which is respectfully submitted to the county com-
missioners' court of Lee county. Given under our hands and seals this
21st day of May, A. D. 1839. D. G. Saltsbuey. [seal].

Ethan H. Nichols. [seal].
L. G. Bdtler. [seal].

On the 27th of December, 1839, the court of commissioners received
plans and specifications which were submitted by the clerk for the
building of the court-house of stone or brick, and put the same on file.
At the same time the clerk submitted plans and specifications for build-
ing a j-iil of stone and timber, which was also accepted and placed on
file. The clerk was further ordered to advertise for sealed proposals,
which would be received up to the 6th of January, 1840, for building
said court-house and jail ; and on the 7th of Januarv the court awarded
the building of the jail to Messrs. Aplington & Holbrook for the sum
of fourteen hundred and ninety-five dollars; and the building of the
court-house was awarded to Samuel M. Bowman, which was to be of
brick and was to cost the sum of six thousand and eight hundred dol-
lars, in accordance with his bid.

The court-house was erected according to the contract during the
year 1840 ; and as it was accepted of the commissioners from the hands
of the builders, it is just to presume that it was located on the parcel
of ground that was pinned by the stake which was driven by the com-
missioners on the selection of the site for the seat of justice. That was
a great day for the county of Lee, which saw the stake driven that has
held the seat of justice on the beautiful eminence for more than forty
years.

The commissioners were fortunate in the selection of a location
" so beautiful for situation." The plat of ground on M^hich it stands
extends from Second to Third street, north and south, and from Ottawa
street on the east to Galena street on the west. It is inclosed and the

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 83

yard has been cultivated into a beautiful lawn and shady grove in the
midst of which the court-house stands. From the court-house the
ground recedes with a gentle slope so that the people emphatically " go
up to the house of justice," The court-room is on the second floor,
and over the judge's stand hangs upon the wall a life-size portrait of
Mr. John Dixon, the founder of the city and the first white settler in
Lee county. From the observatory may be seen the clear waters of
Rock river as they flow out from between the hills far away to the
north and come meandering down the beautiful valley and flow away
to be lost behind the forest-covered bluffs to the southward.

The jail was built of hewed logs erected on a stone foundation and
was located on the south side of Third street opposite the court-house.
It was erected during 1840 ; but a brick building for the county
sheriff's mansion being erected on the southeast corner of Ottawa and
Second streets in 1846, the jail was removed to that location and re-
erected back of said building some time in 1847. This wooden structure
served the county for the incarceration of her criminals until 1872.
Although it had been set on fire at different times it was able to hold
those committed to its keeping. In 1868 or 1869 a prisoner attempted
to burn his way out of his confinement with a hot poker, and would
doubtless have succeeded had not some small boys been playing near
by and discovered the burning of the jail. In the February term of
the court, 1873, the supervisors provided for the building of the present
jail by making an appropriation of eighteen thousand dollars for the
purpose. There were also plans provided for the sale of the old jail
property and the purchase of new lots for the jail and sheriff's house.
This was prosecuted and the buildings erected where they now stand,
on lots Nos. two and three on the southeast corner of Third and Hen-
nepin streets. The contract was let to Messrs. Jobst & Price, of Peoria,
this state.

The sheriff's house is built of brick ornamented with dressed stone,
making it a very attractive edifice. The jail which connects it on the
rear is built of dressed stone, and is very secure. The buildings are
not only an addition to the good appearance of that part of the city,
but are a credit to the count3\

The Government Land Office.— In 1840, when the government
land office was removed from Galena to Dixon, the mode of convey-
ance, as well as the means of communication, was in a primitive state.
The office, with its iron safe, papers and maps, was loaded upon a
" prairie schooner," under the command of Col. John Dement, receiver,
and Mayor Hackelton, register. Left in charge of a driver, and pro-
pelled by half a dozen yokes of oxen, this conveyance was many days
on the road, traveling a distance of sixty-five miles. It arrived in the

84 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

fall of that year, in the midst of tlie presidential campaign which re-
sulted in the election of Gen. Harrison. It was tirst opened in the
Yan Arnam building, on Ottawa street. At that time but a small
portion of the lands in the district had been brought into market, and
the subsequent heavy sales brought people from all parts of the coun-
try loaded with specie with which to make their entries. The specie
was subsequently shipped to the sub-treasury at St. Louis.

The small stone building occupied by the land office department,
is still standing on the northwest corner of Ottawa and Second streets.

RELIGIOUS PROGRESS IN THE COUNTY.

The first Methodist sermon preached in the region of country be-
tween Rock Island and Galena, was b^^ the I^ev. Mr. Sugg, in the
house of John Ankany. Tlie Illinois conference recognized this as
missionary territory in 1835, and appointed Rev. James McKean in
charge of what M^as called the Henderson Mission. Rev. Henry Sum-
mers was presiding elder of the district. The headquarters of the
mission was Elkhorn Grove. Early in 1836 Rev. McKean passed
Dixon's Ferry ; and after crossing the river he returned and announced
to the few people who were standing on the bank of the river, " I
will preach in this place four weeks from to-day," and rode away, leav-
ing his auditors to conjecture as to who and what manner of man he
was. On the appointed day the mysterious stranger appeared w^th
saddle-bags, hymn-book and Bible, and found the neighbors assembled
to hear what message he might bring to them. He continued his
visits to the ferry, preaching in their cabins or in the grove, until some
time in 1837, when he organized the first Methodist class in Dixon and
Lee county. The following persons were I'eceived as the original
members of this class: S. M. Bowman, and Mrs. E. A. Bowman;
John Richards, and Ann Richards; Caleb Tallmage, and Amanda
Tallmage, and Maria McClure. The society worshiped in a room over
Messrs. Bowman & Boardman's store, corner of Galena and Water
streets. In the following fall (1837) Revs. Robert Delap and Barton
Gartwright were sent as circuit preachers, by the authority of Bishop
Roberts; Alfred Branson being presiding elder. The preaching place
this year was in a frame school-house, 20x30 feet. This house was
used as a court-house and all public gatherings as well as a place for
worship. Rev. Delap's health failing, he retired from the work in
May, leaving his colleague in full charge until the close of the year.
He was known as the " Prairie Breaker," which honor he received as an
expressed appreciation of Christian and earnest work as a missionary
on the great prairies of Illinois. The circuit being large, the
society received a visit from their minister once in six weeks. Not un-

RELIGIOUS PROGRESS IN" THE COUNTY. 85

frequently the pioneer preacher would be absent from his home for a
number of weeks successively without so much as hearing;^ from home
and loved ones who were anxiously waiting and longing for his return.
In the autumn of 1838 Isaac Pool and Riley Hill were appointed to
this mission by Bishop Soul. Rev. Hill was esteemed as a young man
of fine talents, but his work was short, having fallen in his Master's
work early in the next year at the inlet, now called Lee Center. His
place was filled by Rev. Luke Hichcock, who was reappointed in the
fall of 1839, by Bishop Roberts. Bartholomew Weed was appointed
presiding elder of the district.

There had been received in the society, in addition to the original
members, up to August 1839, T. D. Boardman, Mr. and Mrs. Perry,
and Mr. and Mrs. McCabe, and in the following October the society
was greatly strengthened by the addition of O. F. Ayres and wife. In
the fall of 1840 Richard A. Blanchard was appointed to the Dixon
circuit, by Bishop Waugh. During this conference year the Rock
River conference was organized (in May, 1841), and held its first ses-
sion at Mount Morris; John Clark being presiding elder of the dis-
trict, known as the Mount Morris district ; and at this session of the
conference Philo Judson was appointed to Dixon circuit, and S. S.
Stocking, presiding elder.

At a quarterly conference that convened at Daysville, June 8, 1842,
the first steps were taken toward the building of a house of worship,
by appointing T. Judson, S. G. Holbrook, L. G. Winkoop, and J.
Dixon a committee to estimate the probable expense of erecting a
church edifice in Dixon. They reported at a subsequent meeting,
which lead to the beginning of the building which was completed the
following year, and dedicated by the Rev. John T. Mitchel, at that
time presiding elder of the district. It was a brick structure, and was
completed at a cost of $4,000. It was located on Second street, near
Ottawa. The board of trustees consisted of J. P. Dixon, C. Edson, O. F.
Ayres, W. G. Winkoop,Thomas McCabe, J. Brierton and S. M. Bowman.

At the session of Rock River conference held in Chicago, August 3,
1842, Bishop Roberts presiding, the Dixon circuit which then embraced
Washington Grove, Lighthouse Point, Jeff"erson Grove, Daysville,
and Paynes Point, was extended so as to include Palestine Grove,
Malugin's Grove, and Inlet Grove, now Lee Center. Philo Judson
and W. H. Cooley were appointed circuit preachers. This work was
divided, soon after, by the presiding elder Mitchel setting ofi" all the
territory north of Franklin Grove to W. H. Cooley, and the southern
division was left under the pastoral care of P. Judson. This order,
however, was revoked at the following quarterly conference held
November 12, 1842, placing it back to its former arrangement.

86 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

Sabbath-schools were now organized. — the first at Dixon soon after
the dedication of the chapel ; and at the quarterly conference held July
15, 1843, the following was reported: "There are two schools in the
lower division of the circuit ; and one at Dixon with eight teachers,
sixty scholars, and a library of ninety volumes." The superintendent
was O. F. Ayres ; the secretary, T. D. Boardman, and John W. Clute
was librarian. This was a union school up to 1845, when it became a
Methodist denominational school. O. F. Ayres continued superin-
tendent for ten years, when the demand upon his time and talents for
the pulpit was so great that he was compelled to resign his office, to
the regret of himself and the school. |

Washington Wilcox was appointed to the circuit in 1843, and was
succeeded by the appointment of David Brooks in the autumn of 1844,
and Stephen P. Keys in 1845, under whose labors a great!,temperance
work was done, closing up all places where strong drink had been sold.
The number in church membership was increased one third during the
year. In the fall of 1846 his place was^'filled^ by the appointment of
Milton Henry and R. W. H. Brent to the charge.

At the [session of Rock River Conference in the autumn of 1847
the Dixon circuit was embraced in the Rock Island district, under the
presiding eldership of John Sinclair. R. P. Lawton was appointed
preacher in charge of the circuit, and in the following year under the
labors of Rev. William Palmer, appointed by Bishop Morris, the church
enjo^^ed the visitation of|a special revival, under which many were
converted and added to the church. The Sabbath schools were pros-
pering. In the Dixon school were eight teachers, fifty scholars, and
twenty dollars' worth of new library books. During the pastorate of
Mr. Palmer, the basement of the chapel was finished, and a bell pur-
chased for the tower. He was succeeded? by Thomas North in 1850,
under whose labors a noted revival occurred.^

Soon after Rev. McKean visited the neighborhood of Dixon's
Ferry, the Rev. Thomas Powel, of the Baptist church, came to Buffalo
Grove as the forerunner of that denomination ; and as early as 1838
organized the first Baptist church of the vicinity at Buffalo Grove,
which was the parent society of the First Baptist church of Dixon.
The original society was divided into the Buffalo church and the
Dixon church. The former, however, was subsequently discontinued.

Rev. Thomas Powel was an earnest pioneer missionary, and lives
in the memory of the church revered as the founder of the Baptist
denomination of the christian church.

In connection with these pioneer ministers may be mentioned also
the Rev. L. Hitchcock, Bishop Chase, of the Episcopal church, and
Rev. James De Pui, who experienced with them the privations of

EELIGIOUS PROGRESS IN THE COUNTY. 87

the early days of Lee county. The life of the itinerant in those days
was one of sacrifice not only to the faithful minister, but to his family.
Exposed to perils in floods and storms, as well as long tedious rides
across the unbroken prairie, fording streams, sometimes by svvimming
his faithful and orthodox horse ; startled by the scream of the wild-cat
or howl of the wolf from the evening shades of a neighboring grove ;
lodging in the pioneer cabin, whose clapboard roof but illy turned the
falling rain or drifting snow.

On July 5, 1843, a Congregational society was organized at the resi-
dence of Moses Crombie, and was called the "Congregational Church
of Palestine Grrove." The congregation worshiped in a school-house
about a mile from the present site of the city of Amboy. They were
ministered to by Rev. John Merrill, Rev. Ingersoll, father of the notorious
Robert Ingersoll of the present day, Rev. Joseph Gardner and Rev.
Mr. Pierson. The last two divided their labors with Grand Detour
and Palestine Grove. This society was formed before there was a
house erected where Amboy now stands. The organization was after-
ward removed to Lee Center, in 1849. In 1854 the Amboy Congrega-
tional church was organized. But as these local societies will be noticed
in connection with the township in which they are located, we will not
give a detailed account in this connection.

At an early day a Rev. Mr. Warriner^ of the Baptist faith, com-
menced preaching at Paw Paw Grove, in the southeast corner of the
township, and afterward became the pastor of the present Baptist society
in that place.

The religious societies have exerted a salutary influence on the
moral development of the county.

Scibbath Schools. — The first Sabbath school was organized as a
union school, in the new Methodist Episcopal church soon after its
dedication, and on July 15, 1843, there were reported eight teachers,
sixty scholars, and a library of ninety volumes. O. F, Ayers was super-
intendent, T. D. Boardman, secretary, and J. W. Clute, librarian. This
school afterward became the denominational school of the Methodist
church. Other schools were organized as the several denominations
organized societies. Sabbath schools are, at present, connected with all
the churches in Lee county, and special reference will be made to them
in connection with the history of each society. The total number of
members of the several schools in Dixon aggregate about 800, the
total number of volumes in library in the several schools is about 2,025.

At an early day, and about the time of the organization of the
union school in Dixon, referred to above, there were schools organized
in other parts of the county, — Inlet Grove, Malugin's Grove, and prob-
ably at Palestine Grove.

88 HISTORY OP^ LEE COUNTY.

Tlie method of conductii^^ Sabbath schools at this early day was
quite primitive. There were but few conveniences compared with
what are regarded as essentials in a well reojulated modern Sunday
school. There was no literature provided specially for the young, no
Sabbath-school songs as now. The old hymn or psalm book was in
constant use. It would seem odd, in these days of advancement and
improvement, to require the infant class to repeat their A B C, or
rehearse a spelling lesson, after opening the school by singing "Am I
a Soldier of the Cross ? " and before singing the closing hymn " How
Tedious and Tasteless the Hours !" ; and yet such was the custom of the
gone-by days. But these primitive schools were not failures, but served
to impart moral sentiments and cultivate religious tendencies that have
developed some of the best men of the country. At the present time
the Sabbath schools of Lee county are i'nWy abreast of the times.

Heresy. — Lee county has been visited by religious heresy and
fanaticism under the banner of Mormonism. After the murder of the
great Mormon high priest, Joe Smith, his brother, William Smith, with
a small band of followers, took up their residence in Lee count}^, about
twelve miles south of Dixon, where they kept up their organization
and meetings for some time.

At the April term of circuit court in 1853, on the trial of the appli-
cation of William Smith for a divorce, the jury found a verdict for the
lady.

The following is part of a letter showing the " mind of the Lord"
as revealed to his servant William Smith :

" Behold, verily, this is the mind of the Lord concerning those
females who have received the priesthood by being sealed to my ser-
vants William Smith and Joseph Wood [for many years a lawyer at
Paw Paw, this county], and have been washed, anointed and ordained
under their hands, having been i-eceived into the priestess' lodge —
having taken the covenant thereof; if they, or either of them, shall
fall, or turn altogether therefrom, she or they shall be excluded there-
from and from my church also, and shall not come forth in the resur-
rection of the just. * " *

" Therefore, I, Jesus Christ, who am your Father and God, say unto

you, if your wives be treacherous and sin against you and repent not,

I will reveal it unto you. Therefore confide in me, and I will be your

God and you shall be my servants. Amen.

" Yours truly,

" William Smith."

Tlie First School-house. — Dr. O. Everett, in the " History of Dixon
and Palmyra," published in 1880, says:

"In looking over some old papers recently, I came across the sub-

KELIGIOUS PKOGRESS IIST THE COUNTY.

89

scription paper for building the first school-house in Dixon, and have
thought that it would not be without interest to many of your readers.
This paper was got up in January 1837, and contains many names
familiar to the old settlers. The subscription paper reads as follows :

" ' We, the subscribers, agree to pay the sums severally attached to
our names, for the purpose of erecting a school-house in the town of
Dixon. Said school-house shall be for the teaching of primary schools,
and shall be open for religious meetings of all denominations when not
occupied by the schools.

" ' Said house shall be one story high, and at least forty feet by
twenty on the ground, and shall contain two rooms, which shall be
connected by a door or doors, as may be thought proper.

" ' The subscribers shall meet on Monday, the 20th day of February
next, at six o'clock p.m., and choose three trustees to superintend the
building of said house. The trustees shall have power to collect the
money subscribed, contract for and purchase materials for said house,
and employ w^orkmen to build the same. Thej^ shall see that it is done
in a plain, workmanlike manner, so far as the funds shall warrant.

NAMES.

Jas. P. Dixon, . . $25 00
Oliver Everett, . .25 00

John Wilson, . . .25 00

Caleb Talmage, . . 20 00

J. B. Barr, . . . 10 00

Samuel Leonard, . . 5 00
Jacob Rue, ... 5 00

B. B. Brown, . . 5 00

Samuel Gatten, . . . 5 00

Edwin Hine, ... 5 00

Elijah Dixon, . . .15 00

Hiram P. Parks, . . 10 00
John Q. Adams (expunged), 00 10

Setii D. Brittain, . . 20 00

(If he settles here.)

Lemuel Huff, . . .15 00

Alanson Dickerman, . 5 00

John Snider, . . . 5 00

H. Martin, . . . 5 00

W. P. Burroughs, . . 15 00

John Dixon, . . . 20 00

1. S. Boardman, . . 10 00

A friend, ... 5 00

M. McCabe, . . .10 00

Allen Wiley, . . . 10 00

J. W. Hamilton, . . 5 00

" It will be noticed that many of the subscribers were

living some distance in the country, and of those who came

NAMES.

Geo. L. Chapman,
W. H. Rowe, .
J. W. Dixon, .
E. W. Covin,
E. A. Statia,
S. W. Johnson,
Poboi't Murra}',
Sam'l C. McClure.
Mrs. E. N. Hamilton,
Horace Thompson,
Mrs. R. Dixon, .
L. D. Butler, .
M. L. Dixon,
Mrs. A. Talmage, .
Mrs. M. H. Barr,
J. Murphy,
N. W. Brown, .
S. M. Bowman,
John Richards, .
C. F. Hubbard,
W. W. Graham,
T. L. Hubbard,
John Carr, .
George Kip, .
Wm. Graham,

$5 00

10 00

10 00

25 00

5 00

10 00

10 00

15 00

15 00

5 00

30 00

5 00

5 00

5 00

10 00

10 00

5 00

10 00

10 00

5 00

5 00

5 00

6 00
5 00
5 00

persons
to the

90 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

county during the next season. The reason that Father Dixon's name
was not at or near the head of the list is that he was away that winter
to Vandalia, then the capital of the state. It may also be noticed that
the matter dragged somewhat, as such enterprises often do, and the
ladies took it up, Mrs. Dixon giving the largest subscription on the
list and Mrs. Hamilton a generous amount. Again it may be noticed
that one John Q. Adams, not our present John Q. Adams, but an un-
worthy bearer of a great name, in subscribing put two 00 where the
dollars ought to have been, making his subscription but 10 cents.
When his attention was called to it he said it was just as he intended
to have it. His name was dealt with as was fashionable at that time;
it was expunged.

" The old school-house was built during the summer of 1837, of the
size and form specified in the subscription paper, about twenty rods
west of the cemetery, on or near lot one, block sixty-nine, now occupied
by Harry Smith. It was built perfectly plain, without a cornice, and
inclosed with undressed oak siding and a hardwood shingle roof. The
inside consisted of two rooms, one six feet by twenty, extending across
the end of the building, serving as an entrance-way or vestibule to the
main room, which was twent}' by thirty-four feet, with three windows
on either side and one at the end of the room opposite the entrance.
It was plastered on the inside with a single coat of coarse brown mor-
tar, and was warmed during winter with a wood fire in a large box
stove. In 1839 it was moved down to the north end of lot five,
block seventeen, on the east side of Ottawa street, just south of the resi-
dence of Dr. Nash, now occupied by Daniel McKenney, fronting to
the north upon the alley. There it remained for several years, and was
used for school-house, meeting-house and court-house (the first three
terms of the circuit court of Lee county were held in it). Elections
and political meetings and conventions were held in it, and it was
always used for whatever other purpose the people might congregate.

" The old school-house was very plain, rough and uninviting to look
upon, but there are many recollections associated with it which are
always dwelt upon by the early settlers with great interest, and should
make the memory of it dear to the people of Dixon. It was within
its rough brown walls that the venerable and revered Bishop Chase,
then senior bishop of the American Episcopal church, first preached
to the scattered members of his fold as were hereabout, and broke to
them the bread of the sacrament, and where Rev. James De Pui, a man
of rare culture and gentle and genial social qualities, preached for more
than twelve months. It was there that the Methodist and Baptist
churches of this place were formed and nurtured in their infancy.

" The Rev. Dr. Hitchcock and the Rev. Philo Judson, who for

RELIGIOUS PROGRESS IIST THE COUNTY. 91

nearly half a century have been among the foremost laborers in the
great and beneficent organization to which they belong, then in the
vigor of early manhood, each preached his two years there. The Rev.
Thomas Powell, a devoted missionary of the Baptist denomination,
well known among the early settlers of no inconsiderable portion of the
state for his indefatigable and faithful service in the religious interest
of the people, then often living remote from each other, and either des-
titute or but poorly supplied with competent religious teachers, often
held services in the old school-house, and officiated at the formation of
the Baptist church of Dixon. Also the Rev. Burton Carpenter, the
remembrance of whose labors here is cherished by many of the old set-
tlers, and who in the high standing he afterward attained in the
denomination to which he belongs, and in a life of great usefulness in
another part of the state, he has not disappointed the expectations of his
early friends, commenced his labors in the ministry and preached about
three years in this same old school-house. During nearly the whole
time religious services were held in the old school-house the Methodist
and Baptist congregations occupied it alternate Sundays, — the Meth-
odist clergyman preaching at Inlet Grove or Sugar Grove, and Mr.
Carpenter at Bufi^alo Grove the intervening Sabbaths.

" In the spring of 1840 there was a convention of the whig party of
the Jo Daviess representative district, which embraced the whole north-
western part of the state, held at the school-house, and Thomas Drum-
mond, known in this generation as Judge Drunimond, of the United
States court at Chicago, then a young lawyer of Galena, was nom-
inated as a candidate for member of the house of representatives in
the state legislature. Here presented an extent of territory now con-
stituting nearly two congressional districts. Among the teachers in
the old school-house was the late lamented W. W. Heaton, whom
the citizens of Dixon have seen rise by his industry and legal acquire-
ments from the schoolmaster's chair to the bench.

" In the beginning of the year 1843 the Methodist church was
finished and dedicated, and the court-house was so far completed that
the courts were held in it, and was used for religious and political
meetings, and the old school-house fell into comparative disuse.

"Some time during the year 1844 it began to be noised about that
John Yan Arnam claimed the old school-house as his property, as he
had purchased the lot upon which it stood. One day the people were
notified that upon a tap on their windows the night following they
might know that they were wanted at the school-house, and the less said
about it the better. Upon arriving there we found it surrounded by a
great crowd busy at work. Some were raising the building with crow-
bars and levers, others adjusting planks and rollers under the sills.

92 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

There was that prince of movers of old buildings, N. G. H. Morrill, as
usual, directing operations, not giving authoritative orders to others,
but by taking hold and showing them how by doing the major part of
the work himself. The industrious crowd tugged away in silence or
talking in whispers or suppressed tones, now moving the heavy oak
building an inch or two, and again making a more fortunate move and
getting ahead several inches or one or two feet, nntil it was thought
the building was entirely over the edge of the lot, but by pacing from
the street and making observations in the dark it was thought best to
give it just anotlier little shove to make the thing sure. So all took
hold with a will, and the old school-house began to move again upon
the rollers and made a lunge of twelve or fifteen feet, creaking and
groaning as it went, as if conscious of the ignoble uses of trade to which
it was destined, for the time came (my pen grows shaky as I write it)
when it w^as used for liquor selling. Upon this last move of the old
school-house every tongue seemed loosened, and all gave vent to their
satisfaction in a wild shout or cheer, which rang through the darkness,
and by its heartiness (so I was informed) quieted the fears of some of
the ladies whose husbands had at the tap on the window so mysteriously
bounced out of bed and left them without saying a word. About this
time Mr. Morrill, upon a vote of two freeholders at an election held for
the purpose of voting upon the question of building a new school-house,
was building the stone structure for that purpose back of the Na-
chusa house, so the old building was sold and moved down on the
corner of Main and Hennepin streets, and was used for various pur-
poses of trade, and finally burned in the great tire on Main street in

1859."

CRIME.

It is by no means a pleasant duty to the historian to chronicle the
wicked deeds of men, or bring to light the dark phase of humanity to
cast a siiadow upon the fair fame of a civil and cultured community ;
but there are obligations which the science of history imposes upon
every hand that wields a historic pen, that cannot be disregarded and
claim the honor of an impartial historian ; though gladly would we
draw the veil of oblivion over the faults of erring humanity were they
not so intimately associated with the welfare and peace of a community.

As every page of human history seems to be stained with blood
and bedewed with tears, the fair pages of the history of Lee county are
not unsullied by the dark spots of crime. These rolling prairies and
beautiful groves have been the theater of bloodshed and crime. The
following anecdote written by an early citizen of Palmyra, Lee county,
will be in place here to illustrate the mixed state of society in the early
days of the history of Lee county. He says :

CRIME. 93

"We had a weekly eastern mail, carried from Chicago in the Frink
& Walker coaches, on Saturda}'. On that day all those who had rea-
son to expect letters met in Dixon to get their mail and exchange
drinks at a little building near the ferry, called "The Hole in the
Wall." Here we also met many of those curious waifs and strays of
society, of which Dixon, like all frontier towns, had her full share.
Among them was a man by the name of Truett, who had shot an ed-
itor of a paper in cold blood, but had escaped the rope. An old gentle-
man had been introduced to him ; without hearing his name distinctly,
after some conversation with him, said to his introducer, " Who is that
fellow, Billy, you introduced to me?" "Oh, that," said he, "is Truett
— Truett who murdered Dr. Early." His horror on hearing this was
most ludicrous. "Shaken hands with a murderer!" he exclaimed.
" Good God !" shaken hands with a murderer ! Bring me some water."
And he continued to turn his hands over and over and vociferate for
water until a basinful was brought and he was enabled to wash out
the spot."

Lee county was infested with members of the great " Banditti of
the Prairies," that was exposed and published by Edward Bonney as
early as 1844. This author sa,js: "The valley of the Mississippi river
from its earliest settlement has been more infested with reckless and
blood-stained men than any other part of the country, being more con-
genial to their habits and offering the greatest inducements to follow
their nefarious and dangerous trade. Situated as it is, of great com-
mercial importance, together with its tributaries stretching four thou-
sand miles north from the Gulf of Mexico, and draining all the country
south and west of the great chain of lakes, and between the Alleghany
and Rocky mountains, it has afforded them an unequaled chance to
escape detection and pursuit, and thus wooed, as it were, countless vil-
lains and blood-stained, law-doomed ones to screen themselves in its
bosom.

" Organized bands, trampling upon right and defying all law human
and divine, have so annoj'ed the peaceful and quiet citizens of this
great valley, that in the absence of a sufficient judicial power the aid of
"Judge Lynch" has been but too frequently' called in and a neighbor-
ing tree proved a gallows, and 'a short shrift and strong cord' been
the doom of those who have ever plead vainly for mercy at its bar."

The same author adds: "So great, indeed, was the terror that the
banditti had caused that the good, quiet, and orderly citizens, before
retiring to rest at night, made all preparations for resistance that were
in their power, and armed to the teeth, with doors and windows se-
curely barred and bolted, laid down in fear and trembling to wish for
the return of morning again."

94 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

A plan had long been on foot to rob the Dixon land office, by in-
tercepting the stage conveying the deposits to Chicago. Large sales of
public lands had been made and the money deposited in the Dixon
land office. " One of the gang, in order to ascertain the particulars
and tlie precise time of its removal, took occasion to ask the receiver
when he intended to go to Chicago. The receiver, however, being
upon his guard, and a prudent man, set the time one week later than
he intended to start, and thereby baffled the preconcerted schemes of
the robbers."

At the time designated by the receiver for making the deposit the
stage-coach belonging to Frink, Walker & Co., which was supposed
to be carrying the money, was stopped near Rockford, and a trunk
taken out by the robbers, which contained, however, only clothing.
Every eflPort to apprehend the perpetrators of the theft was fruitless.

William Cullen Bryant wrote in June 21, 1841, "When I arrived
in Dixon I was told that the day before, a man named Bridge, living
at Washington Grove, Ogle county, came to town and complained that
he had received notice from a certain association that he must leave
the county before the 17th day of the month, or that he would be
looked upon as a popular subject for lynch law. He asked for assist-
ance to defend himself and dwelling against lawless violence of these
men. The people of Dixon came together and passed a resolution to
the effect that they approved fully of what the inhabitants of Ogle
county had done, and that they allowed Mr. Bridge the term of four
hours to depart from the town of Dixon. He went away immediately
and in great trepidation. This Bridge is a notorious confederate and
harborer of horse thieves and counterfeiters. The thinly settled popu-
lations of Illinois were much exposed to the depredations of horse
thieves, who have a kind of center of operations in Ogle county, where
it is said that they have a justice of the peace and constable among
their own associates, and where they contrive to secure a friend on the
jury whenever any one of their number is tried. Trial after trial had
been held, and it was impossible to obtain conviction on the clearest
evidence, until April 1841, when two horse thieves being on trial,
eleven of the jury threatened the twelfth with a taste of the cowskin
unless he would bring in a verdict of guilty. He did so, and the men
were condemned. Before they were removed to the state prison the
court-house burned down and the jail was in flames, but luckily they
were extinguished without the liberation of the prisoners." The man
Bridge, who was compelled to flee from Dixon, and to whom reference
was made above, had his family removed and house demolished on the
27th of the same month by the " Regulators."

Horse thieves infested this country at this time, and extended their

CRIME. 95

operations from Wisconsin to St. Louis and from the Wabash to the
Mississippi. Brj^ant wrote : " In Ogle count}'^ they seemed to have
been bolder than elsewhere, and more successful, notwithstanding the
notoriet}'- of their crimes, in avoiding punishment. The impossibility
of punishing them, the burning of the court-house at Oregon cit}^ last
April, and the threats of deadly vengeance thrown out by them against
such as should attempt to bring them to justice, led to the formation
of a company of citizens — "Regulators" they called themselves — who
determined to take the law in their own hands and drive the felons
from the neighborhood. This extended over Ogle, De Kalb and Win-
nebago. The resistance to these desperadoes resulted in the death of
some of their number who had been dealt with summarily and some
good citizens were assassinated by a band of thieves."

In the early days of the county a great number of horses were bred
and herded on the prairies. Every "full-grown mare" would have a
colt running by her side. Most of the thefts were committed in the
spring or autumn. In the former season the horses were turned to
feed upon the green grass that grew luxuriantly, and in autumn they
would be in the finest condition, when they were fed on corn. The
best of the drove were usually taken and passed from one station to
another until they were sold in some distant market.

Tragedy of Inlet Creek. — It is a trite saying, and not unfrequently
true, that " truth is stranger than fiction." And it is seldom that we
are called upon to chronicle a combination of more thrilling events
and bloody deeds than the following, which we are required to record,
however painful may be the task.

There resided on the old stage road at the crossing over Inlet creek,
a few miles below the present site of the city of Amboy. a family by
the name of Croft. They owned the toll-gate which stood at the north
end of the corduroy bridge across the above creek and adjacent swamp.
In the spring of 1848 a jew peddler passing through the country en-
gaged to Mr. Croft as a farm laborer for half a month. After the expi-
ration of the time, which occurred on the 39th of Ma}^, the stranger was
never seen or heard of by the neighbors. On the 3d of June, five days
after the disappearance of the peddler, Mr. Croft visited the land office
and entered a tract of land. These circumstances may have been suf-
ficient to cause a just suspicion in the neighborhood. There being
no traces of a possible tragedy, the matter was soon lost sight of until
the following summer, when other circumstances awakened unpleasant
reflections in the minds of the neighbors. A young woman who had
been living with the Croft family for some time, including the stay of
the peddler above mentioned, was left by Mrs. Croft in the care of the
household afifairs while the latter was absent on a visit. It was in the

96 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

time of liay gathering, and Mr. Croft was assisted by four of his neigh-
bors, among whom was one man commonly known by the name of
" Sara Patcii." The young woman was cooking for the harvest liands.
On a certain daj' slie suddenly disappeared. Mr. Croft walked about
the premises calling for the missing one, feigning great anxiety and
surprise. After a few days, there being no tidings of the whereabouts
of the young woman, a search was made by the neighbors, lasting three
days, when the body was found in a pond in the neighborhood in the
presence of hundreds of citizens of the county who had participated in
the search. Mr. James Goble, then sheriff of Lee county, being present,
at once arrested Mr. Croft and lodged him in the county jail at Dixon.
On the approach of the next session of court an officer visited the home
of the said "Sam Patch" to cause him to appear before the court to
give testimony in the above case. Seeing the officer approaching his
house, he fled with gun in hand to the corn-field, where he shot himself
and soon expired. Mrs. Croft having returned home was a frequent
visitor to the jail in which her husband was incarcerated, having
secured most of the money he had about liim, with a gold watch and
chain. Becoming despondent, the culprit cut his throat with his razor,
which he had in his cell, and paid the terrible penalty of his crime.
Soon after this one of the neighbors who was assisting Mr. Croft on the
day of the murder of the young woman, as he was returning home
from Dixon stopped at the house of Mr. Meeks to quench his thirst
and was suddenly taken ill and expired. One of the two surviving
members of that party soon afterward died in La Salle, leaving but
one of the six, including the unfortunate girl, who composed that har-
vesting party. The first fell by the hand of the murderer ; two by
their own hand, to evade the just retribution of the law ; and one died
probably from poison. The cause of the death of the fifth is not known
to the writer.

Tragedy at Franklin Grove. — In 1848 or 18^:9 a Norwegian living
at Franklin Grove was visited by a friend of the same nationality who
purposed spending the night with him. They occupied the same bed,
and after falling asleep an assassin entered the room and with an ax
dispatched both men in their bed, where they were afterward found
horribly mutilated and bathed in their own blood. The murder was
supposed to have been committed for the purpose of robbery, as the
man residing there was reputed to have had money in his possession,
whom the robber doubtless expected to find alone. The perpetrator of
the bloody deed was never detected, but was believed to be connected
with the " Banditti of the Prairie," to which reference is made above.

In the winter of 1844-5 it was " communicated to the gang," says
Bonny, " that a Mr. Mulford, in Ogle county, had in his possession a

^

CRIME. 99

large amount of money that he had recently received from the State
of New York. This was commnnicated by the friends of the gang at
Washington Grove. Tiie amount of money in possession of Mr. Mul-
ford was believed to be 1 1,400, a prize which the gang made prepara-
tions to secure. One of their number visited the home of Mr. Mul-
ford under the assumed name of Harris, assuming to be a laborer seek-
ing employment. After making some observations about the house he
retired, on promise that he would return again. A few nights follow-
ing three men entered Mr. Mulford's house armed with pistols and
knives. On entering the house, one seized a loaded rifle which stood
in one corner of the room, and aiming at Mr. Mulford threatened him
and his wife, who lay at his side, if they should attempt to rise or give
an alarm, and demanded of Mr. Mulford his money.

After seizing about $400, which Mr. Mulford surrendered to them,
they demanded more, with threats of death if denied. He having
repeatedly assured them that he liad no more, they place^d one at the
door and one at the bedside as guards, wliile the third one, whom Mrs.
Mulford recognized as Harris, made search for the desired treasure.
Going to a bureau in the room, he commenced shaking out the linen
which had been carefully folded away. Mrs. Mulford being greatly
disturbed b}^ the careless manner in which her linen was handled,
though placed in the greatest peril, could not remain quiet, but ad-
dressed the robber : ' Mr. Harris, you conduct yourself very differently
from what you did the other day when you wished to obtain employ-
ment.' "

"The unveiled robber sprang to his feet with a loud oath, surprised
at the daring of the defenseless and heroic woman, and with eyes flash-
ing with rage he sprang for the bedside, and drawing his bowie-knife
waved it above her head with threats of immediate death if she would
utter another word while they were in the house. Then turning to
his comrades he said : ' Boys, I must be missing. I'm known, aiid this
is no place for me; a minute more and I am off"!' Hastily closing tlie
search, and warning Mr. Mulford not to follow them, the unwelcome
visitors were off", and nothing could be learned of them since, though
diligent search was made. In the following year, 1845, one West, of
Lee county, on being arrested, turned state's evidence, which led to the
arrest and conviction of Bridge and Oliver as accessory to this rob-
bery."

In the fall of 1844 a peddler by the name of Miller was robbed of
a large amount of goods at Ti'oy Grove, for which tlie man West, re-
ferred to above, was arrested, whicii led to an exposure of the gang
and their operations, implicating parties in Lee and Ogle counties. He
gave particulars of the robbery of the stage near Rockford, before
7

100 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

mentioned, and of the intended robbery of the land office at Dixon.
He accused one Fox, alias Sutton, and John Baker of having commit-
ted the robbery at Troy Grove, and tbat the goods had been secreted
at Inlet Grove, and afterward taken to Iowa. He also claimed that
Fox and Birch, alias Blecker alias Harris, committed the robbery at
Inlet Grove which had caused so much trouble to some of the citizens,
whom the robbers had imitated so perfectly as to disguise their own
identity.

Prior to this, Esquire Hascal, a merchant at Inlet Grove, had been
robbed of money deposited in a small trunk which he kept under his
bed at night. This trunk was extracted from its accustomed place one
dark, stormy night; the robber entering the house on his hands and
knees, then lying flat upon the floor, he cautiously, and serpent-like,
made his way to the bedside, where Mr. and Mrs. Hascal lay engaged
in conversation while the thunderstorm was raging without. He
would lay quietly until a clap of thunder would come, when he would
push himself forward unheard until he grasped the trunk and crawfish
his way out carrying the prize with him. This robbery West also set
to the credit of Fox. This man was a noted member of the gang, and
extended his operations from the Alleghanies to the Rocky Moun-
tains, and was one of the shrewdest of the clan, and one whoni Mr.
Bonney found the most difficult to capture.

In 1862 the board of supervisors, at the September term, passed
the following resolution :

Resolved^ That it is the bounden duty of every good and law-
abiding citizen in this count}' to aid, all that lies in his power, in the
suppression of crime and theft ; and any person or persons rendering
good and valuable service to the county by informing the sherifl", or
any other officer of the law, of the whereabouts of stolen property, or
information that will bring to justice criminals in this or adjoining
counties, should and will be suitably rewarded by this county."

On the22d of June, 1863, a "Vigilance Society" was organized for
the purpose of detecting and bringing to justice thieves, and to reclaim
and restore stolen property.

In March, 1852, the village of Dixon was thrown into considerable
excitement over the continued brutality of a fellow named Hamill,
upon a young girl living at his house near Dixon. Several citizens
visited his house and took tlie trirl from him and brought her to town
where the circuit court was in session, and her story listened to. The
next day the fellow had the "cheek" to come to town, and it produced
such indignation in the community that he was treated to a liberal
supply of tar and feathers.

At the May term, 1877, of the circuit court of Lee county, the

THE CITY OF DIXON. 101

grand jury found a bill of indictment against Samuel H. McGhee, of
said county, for the murder of Samantha H. McGhee, his wife. The
court ordered the arrest of said McGhee under capias, returnable forth-
with, and that he be held without hail. The bill was found upon the
testimony of thirty-four witnesses who were supoenaed for the trial.

When the case was called, May 29, for hearing before the court,
the ordinary course of pleading was deviated from in favor of the
defendant, who by his counsel moved the court to quash said indict-
ment, which motion, after being argued, was overruled by the court.
The prisoner was remanded to the county jail to await trial, which
was again called May 31, 1877. The trial lasted twelve days, and on
June 13 the jury returned a verdict of guilty, and fixed his penalty at
fourteen years in the State Penitentiary. On the following day a
motion was made for a new trial, which was refused by the court.
The defendant, by his counsel, moved the court to arrest judgment
upon said judgment, which the court refused, to which refusal the
defendant excepted, and on his motion was given thirty days to file
his bill of exceptions. He was duly delivered into the custody of the
warden of the State Penitentiary at Joliet, to serve his time of impris-
onment.

In the following July term of the board of supervisors for the
county of Lee they appropriated five hundred dollars to the payment
of William Barge, Esq., for prosecuting the above case to a successful
issue.

THE CITY OF DIXON.

In sketching a historical picture of the city of Dixon as the county
seat of Lee county, we must refer the reader to the chapter on the
early history of the countj'^ for the first settlements of what is now
embraced in Lee county.

We begin the history of the city at the first survey of the original
village, in the latter part of 1834 or in the early part of 1835. The
evidence in this matter is not sufficiently definite at this recent date
to warrant a positive assertion as to the exact time of the laying out
of the first plat. This was done by Mr. John Dixon, who secured the
services of surveyor Bennett, of Galena, to make the survey. At this
time there were not the rudiments of a town ; but the acute eye of
Mr. John Dixon caught a glimpse of the possibilities of the future,
and took the initiatory steps toward the building of homes on his
ground at the ferry.

The original plat " included a tract of forty acres of land extend-
ing from the river to half a block south of Third street, and from a
half block east of Ottawa to a half block west of Peoria streets."

102 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

In the spring of 1836 the first store is said to have been opened by
Messrs. Chapman & Hamilton in the addition Mr. John Dixon built
to the Ogee house. It is due the writer and just to history to state
just here that statements are contradictory as to the first store, as there
are two or three claimants for the honor; this is one of the many vexa-
tions that meet the historian. This conflict of statement may arise
from the class of goods opened to the public, and the statement is
accepted as given upon the supposition that it was a grocery and
notion stock.

In the same year occurred the first death and the preaching of the
first sermon in the embryo cit}'. The first sermon was preached in
the spring of this year, by Rev. James McKean, a Methodist preacher ;
and the death above mentioned was that of a Mr. Lefierty, which
occurred in the autumn of the same season, and was the first interment
ill the cemetery. According to Mr. John K. Robinson's statement,
tlie first sermon was preached two years previous by a Methodist mis-
sionary named Segg.

On September 3, 1836, Dr. Oliver Everett arrived in Dixon,
where he still resides, and found a village of five dwellings, a black-
smith shop, and a post-otfice. The dwellings consisted of four cabins
and one frame, the latter having been built by a Mr. Hamilton during
the preceding year (1835). The blacksmith shop was occupied by
a lone gentleman, whose bachelorship occupied a lean-to at one end of
his shop as a dwelling. Though originally it was a one-story build-
ing, after the grading of the streets a basement was put under it, giving
it the imposing appearance of a two-story superstructure. Father
Dixon's house stood "two or three rods north of Main street and on
the west of what is now Peoria street. Dr. Forrest's log cabin was
on the corner of Water and Ottawa streets; and one block farther west
was Col. Johnson's boarding house, a log building. " These, with sev-
eral uncovered frames in diff"erent parts of the place, constituted the
entire town of Dixon in the fall of 1836." The inhabitants of the town
at that time were James P. Dixon, Peter McKenney, Samuel Johnson,
Jude W. Hamilton, James B. Barr, and E. W. Hines, and their fami-
lies. Those without families wei'e Dr. Oliver Everett, Smith Gil-
braith, John Wilson, and Daniel B. McKennej'. At one time in 1836
there were but four families in Dixon, two of the previous six having
left.

There was a log house on the corner of Galena and Water streets,
where the first death occurred as before stated. In 1837 James Wil-
son's smith-shop was converted into a public building for which the
walls were plastered and a floor laid. In this building the first Ogle
county court was held, which county then embraced the county of Lee;

THE CITY OF DIXON. 103

and after this the engineer of the " internal improvement" corps occu-
pied it. At this time Dixon was an important station on the stage
route from Peoria to Galena. Other lines centered here from
different parts of the state connecting with the main line to Ga-
lena,— the Chicago, the Ottawa, and the Peoria lines. This gave
Dixon a prominence in connection with the traveling public, and
to meet the public demand two hotels were erected in 1836
and 1837. The first was the Western Hotel, which was fol-
lowed by the Rock River House by Messrs. Crowell & Wilson.
The travel was so great at that time to and from the mines, old cit-
izens tell us, that frequently it was almost impossible to find room in the
hotels, while many would be compelled to take a "shake-down " on the
floor. Not unfrequently provisions would be at short rations, as it was
frequently quite difficult to obtain supplies, which had to be conveyed
from a great distance and they were liable to be destroyed by storm
and flood. The Winnebago waters were most dreaded, as its bed was
swampy and treacherous, while it was subject to high freshets. Teams
had to swim the swollen waters, when the cargo would become soaked
with the muddy waters and greatly damaged for culinary purposes.

In 1837 Messrs. Boardman & Bowen opened the first dry-goods
store in Dixon on the corner of River and Galena streets. In the same
year a petition was presented asking the commissioners to refuse to
grant license to keep groceries (saloons) in the town of Dixon. The
following entry was made :

Ordered, That the clerk shall not grant to any person or persons
license to keep grocery in the town of Dixon.

In the same year the first school building was erected by the fund
contributed by individuals. This was a small frame structure, and in
it a school was opened in the following year, 1838. This building was
the public hall for town, court and school purposes until 1840.

On May 31, 1839, Messrs. D. G. Salisbury, E. H. Nichols and L.
G, Butter, who were appointed commissioners to locate the county seat,
met in Dixon to discharge the duties submitted to their trust. After
a careful consideration of the location of Dixon, its advantages, and
the pledges of its citizens to contribute to the building of the county
court-house and jail, the stakes were driven for the location of the
county seat where the court-house now stands.

In 1840 the court-house was built at an expense of $7,000, donated
by the citizens, "Father" Dixon donating eighty acres of land which
has since become a part of the town plat. The United States land
oSice was transferred from Galena to Dixon this year. Col. John De-
ment, receiver. On the third Monday in April, 1840, first circuit court
opened, Judge Stone of Galena, presiding. On October 28, 1840,

104 HISTORY OF LEE (BOUNTY.

Joseph Crawford extended the original survey of the plat of the town
of Dixon.

In 184:1 Mr. J. T. Little erected the building on Water street, now
occupied by D. W. McKinney & Co., as a livery stable, and occupied
it as a dry-goods store, under the firm of Messrs. Little & Brooks, for
a number of years, when they were succeeded by Messrs. Webb,
Rogers & Woodruff. Water street was then known as River street,
and was formerly the leading business street of the town.

In the same year the land-office building was erected on the corner
of Second and Ottawa streets. The building is of stone, and is still
standing. Dixon was spoken of at that time as a village of some im-
portance, and contained many "neat dwellings."

In 1813 the village gave 40 votes for incorporation. During the
same year the first church edifice was erected in the village, and the
Methodist church on Second street, now known as the " Old High
School building." At this time, one writer speaking of Dixon said,
" There was a town here only in name; there were as yet but few at-
tractions in the place that would of themselves create a town. The
great drawback was the wild and unsettled condition of the country.
There was as yet no milling advantages ; the settlers in and around the
embr3^o city were compelled to go long distances for flour, and Chicago
was the nearest market, and many times, a week would be consumed
in transporting one wagon load of grain, and oftentimes the expense of
this transportation would consume the entire amount received for the
products sold. But it was the "county seat," and with a iirm belief
in the future proud destiny of the place, people located here."

In 1845 the village reached a population of 400, and had four re-
ligious denominations: Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, and Congrega-
tional ; a select and one district school, with an attendance of seventy-
five pupils in the two schools. There were at this time twenty-seven
establishments doing business in the usual lines represented in a coun-
try town.

In the autunni of 1840 the erection of the flrst brick building was
commenced. This was on Main street, and is now the first building
west of the Lee County National Bank. The west half was built by
Horace and James Benjamin, and the east half by A. F. Murphy.
The next brick building in Dixon was the one owned by D. B. McKin-
ney, on the south side of Main street, and was built two or three years
later.

"Up to 1850 Dixon improved but slowly, as did also the county,
or indeed throughont the northern part of the state. The common-
wealth was embarrassed with indebtedness and had but little credit,
occasioned by the vast appropriations made for the internal impi'ove-

THE CITY OF DIXON. 105

ments of the state. Heavy taxation, suspension of immigration, and
the languishing state of commerce and agriculture, arrested the growth
of the town."

In the year 1850, however, Dixon received an impetus from the be-
ginning of the hydraulic works. The dam was erected across the river,
and the prospect of a manufacturing town infused new life to all
classes of business.

A saw-mill was placed on the north side of the river the same year,
and in 1851 the erection of a large flouring mill was commenced on
the south side. These were soon followed by other mills, foundry and
machine shops. A writer made mention of Dixon at this time in the
following happy manner :

" There is, moreover, a dam across the river at this place, furnish-
ing one of the best water-powers in all the state. A saw-mill is
already in operation on one bank and a large flouring-raill is about to
be erected on the other. Measures are also being taken to construct a
bridge over the river at this point, which is now crossed b}' a good rope
ferry-boat, which is in operation night and day. These considerations,
together with the fact that several stores and dwellings are now in pro-
gress of erection, that stages meet here from almost every direction,
and that a branch of the Central road is soon to pass through this town
to Galena, conspire to render Dixon one of the most desirable places
of residence in the western country. Capitalists and others, we think,
would find it to their interests to make us a visit, with a view to in-
vestment and location."

"In May, 1851, the population of Dixon was estimated at 700 or
800. There was then in the thriving village a printing ofiice, eight or
ten stores, " and several professional men and mechanics in all depart-
ments of trade;" two church buildings, three hotels, a livery stable and
a market. From this time until the war Dixon improved with great
rapidity. The subject of the prospective Central railroad was already
being agitated by the newspaper, and the town and its prospects be-
came more widely known. Those who were here at that day will
remember the great thrill of excitement that electrified the village
when they beheld the engineers approaching, and the man}' wonderful
predictions that were made of the future progress of Dixon. With
great suspense did the people watch the progress of this road, fearful
at every delay that it might fall through and ruin the fair prospects of
the promising town, but, by a degree of patience commendable in the
extreme, they waited long, until at last they were gladdened by the
news that track-laying had been commenced, with the assurance that
it would be pushed forward with all possible diligence."

During the period extending from 1850 to 1860 or '61, the town

106 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

of Dixon improved with great rapidity, until the breaking ont of the
war arrested the tide of immigration to the county, and retarded the
growth of the town.

In 1852 the flouring-mill of Messrs. Brooks, Dement & Daley
commenced grinding corn, and by April 1 they were running four run
of stone; two for custom and two for merchant work. This mill cost
$15,000. In the following year (1853) the Nachusa House was
erected, adding greatly to the improvement of the town.

On July 31, 1852, it was written of Dixon : " Our town is improv-
ing with great rapidity ; there are over thirty dwellings in course of
erection ; and would be many more if there were mechanics here to put
them up. A large stone hotel is being rapidly completed, and a large
number are employed on the grist-mill being built on the south side
of the river."

On the first Tuesday of March, 1853, the first board of trustees
consisted of John Dixon, A. L. Porter, P. M. Alexander, L. Wood,
and L. Wynkoop.

Beginning the following year, 1854, there were many indications
of decided prosperity. During this year the Washington hotel was built
on the corner of Ottawa and Main streets.

To give to the reader an idea of the true patriotism of the citizens
of Dixon, we insert the following description of a Fourth of July cele-
bration : " July 4, 1854. Never did we see this day pass off with
more becoming style than did the Fourth of July in 1854 in our town.
At eleven o'clock a procession was formed and marched to the beauti-
ful grove in the court-house square, where, after listening to prayer by
Rev. Mr. Baume, reading of the declaration of independence by J. K.
Rodgers, they were treated to an oration delivered by Prof. Pinckney,
of Mount Morris. Much credit is due to the ladies and gentlemen of
the choir and to the musicians for the part they played. And particu-
larly the trio of young men who sang Yankee Doodle " without the
variations." Then came the sumptuous dinner at the Nachusa house.
After this we supposed the day's performance at an end ; but no, dear
reader, every moment of that day, the pride of the American people,
was to be celebrated. For our part we were surprised when we heai-d
the soul-cheering rattle of the drums, and the patriotic scream of the
fife. How those martial strains did swell the already full hearts of all.
With what pride and joy that column swept down the streets, ever
and anon their deafening cheers seemed to swell to the very heavens.

" Night came on, and brought a large concourse of people to the
public square to witness the fireworks. For an hour the air was filled
with the fiery missiles, and the shouts of the immense mass of people.

THE CITY OF DIXON, 107

" Exchange Hall being lighted up, the young and gay there con-
gregated, and had as pleasant party as could be got up in any country."

The month of July had not passed, however, before the rejoicing of
Independence day was shrouded in the deepest lamentation for those who
had fallen victims to the cholera scourge of that year of sad memory.
A writer of July 27, 1854, referring to this epidemic, said, " Death in
its most frightful form swept through our heretofore healthy town like
an avalanche, carrying away within twenty-four hours eighteen souls.
It is a sad duty we are called upon to perform, — that of recording the
death of some of our best citizens, who but a few days ago were among
us sharing the pleasures and vicissitudes of this world. Ah, how true
it is that ' in the midst of life we are in death.' But we all have
reason to thank our Eternal Creator that in the midst of death we have
life."

There had been a few deaths from cholera previous to this, among
them Mrs. Alanson Smith, and two or three railroad hands, but it made
its appearance as an epidemic July 21. On Saturday the 22d the
cholera broke out in full force, and during Saturday night large num-
bers of the inhabitants left town to go into the country. The next day
fourteen persons lay dead in the town. Not a sound, on that mournful
Sabbath day, save that made by the undertaker's hammer, disturbed
the quiet of the death-like village.

Here is a list of the deaths during this epidemic, made out by Drs.
Everett and Abbott: Mrs. Patrick Dnifee and child, Michael Har-
ris, Mrs. Jacob Graver, Wm. Lahee, Daniel Brookner and wife and

Daniel Brookner, jr., John Finley, Joseph Cleaver (postmaster),

Cleaver (cousin to Joseph), John Keenan, Mrs. Cooley, Marsh,

Mrs. Owen's child, John Connels, John Barnes, Elijah Dixon, Wm.
Patrick, Benj. Yann, Mrs. Scheer, Cyrus Kimball and wife, Israel
Evans, Mrs. Catharine Dailey, Mr. Peck, Edward Hamlin, Roderick
McKenzie and wife, Mrs. Huff, Mr. Jones, Mrs. C. Johnson, Owen
Gallinger, and E. Boswick; making in all thirty-four deaths between
July 20 and August 7.

By the coming autumn, however, the Dixon " Telegraph," under
date of September 7, said : " So rapidly is the march of progress in our
town that we are hardly able to keep our readers advised of all the im-
provements that are going on in our midst. There are the three-story
brick buildings on Water street. Col. Dement's machine shop, the race,
etc. There are now in course of construction three fine churches, Meth-
odist (the one occupied now), Roman Catholic, and Lutheran. P. M.
Alexander and J. B. Brooks are also erecting a couple of tine brick
buildings on Galena street."

On October 19, same fall, the Dixon " Transcript " made its appear-

108 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

ance, under the editorship of Cliarles Allen, and continued until Jan-
uar}' 1857, aiid then disappeared.

On April 9, 1855, Messrs. Jerome Hellenbeek and J. H. Cropsey
commenced the erection of a sash, door and blind factory on Third
street between Peoria and Market streets. The main building (now-
occupied by Yann & Means) was four stories high, 32x64 feet, with
an engine house 25x32 feet.

In August, 1855, a business directory printed in the " Daily Whis-
per," August 13, contains the following list of business men and
the departments they were engaged in. Counsellors-at-law — F. R.
Danna, J. V. Eustace, Heaton & Atherton, J. D. Mackay, S. G. Pat-
rick, F. A. Soule, Edward Southwick, and John Stevens. Phj'sicians
and Surgeons— N. W. Abbott, Oliver Everett, G. W. Holdridge, G.
W. Philips, C. D. Pratt, C. S. Younglove ; C. J. Reynolds, dentist.
Bankers and Brokers— S. & H. T. Noble, Robertson, Eells & Co., E. B.
Stiles; real estate, Cyrus Aldrich, Steadman & Williams. Druggists
— J. B. Nash, Townsend & Sheffield. Books and Stationary — J. C.
Mead. Notaries public — E. W. Hine, F. A. Soule. Daguerrean art-
ists— Beardsley & Co., J. B. Waxhani ; Ferris Finch, portrait painter.
Sash, door and blind factories — Christopher Brookner, Cropsey, Hol-
lenbeck & Williams. Boots and shoes — Joseph Smalley, William
Yann. Carpenters and builders, such as kept shops — Henry Brook-
ner, B. F. Cram, Crawford & Shellhamer, J. M. Graham, Herrick &
Hanson, A. S. Maxwell, Wynkoop & Warner; not located, about
twenty. Cabinet ware — G. W. Baker, Noah & John Brooks. Black-
smiths — J. M. Cropsey, Isaac Dubois, Albert Martin, Wertman &
Carter; H.Logan, gunsmith. Wagon and Carriage makers — J. Q.
Adams, J. H. Richardson, Henry Schutts. Jewelers — B. H. Bacon,
Josiah Heath. Marble yard — Parker & Porter. Mills — Brooks &
Bailey (flour), N. G. H. Morrill (lessee of saw-mill). Bakers — Charles
Hatch, Charles Reynolds. Livery stables — Frederick McKenney,
Henrj^ McKennej^, Aaron L. Porter. Harness and leather — James
& Andrew Benjamin, H. O. Kelsey, George B. Stiles. Foundry and
machine shops — Dement & Farrell (erecting). Barbers — Anthony
Julien, Z. Demory. Tailors — W. J. Carpenter, D. L. Evans, F. De-
camp, S. T. Hotchkiss. General merchandise — Oscar F. Ayres, B. F.
Burr, James L. Camp, Geo. R. McKenney, John P. Smith, YanEpps
& Ashley, Yarney & Oilman, Henrj' & Orlando AVortendyke. Cloth-
ing— Ely & Rice, Fuller & Rosenfeld, A. T. Mnrphy, J. Peizer, E.
Petersberger. Groceries — Isaac Appier, Nathan & James Barnes,
Andrew Brison, Bronson & Di'esser, Andrew Brubaker, James Davis
& Bro., Robert Dyke, William Johnson, J. L. Jones & Co., Henry

THE CITY OF DIXON. 109

Leavitt, James McKenney, B. H. Stewart, Richard Woodyat. Hard-
ware— Alexander, Howell & Co., John Farrell, George L. Herrick,
Jonas Johnson. Hats and Caps — Jason C. Ayres. Millinery — Miss
M. J. Bartlett, Mrs. Cornish, Mrs. Dickson. Lumber, sash, doors,
cement, etc. — Flint & Loomis, Gallup & Judd, Haldane & Co., Isaac
Means, Smith & Chipman, S. K. Upham & Co. Forwarding and com-
mission — Champion Fuller, Murphy & Woodruff, Smith & Chipman.
Hotels — Mansion, A. Smith ; Nachusa House, Jerome Porter ;
Warsliington, Henry Remmers.

In 1855 the ej'es of the people of Dixon beheld, in reality, the loco-
motive and heard its welcome scream upon two roads instead of one, as
the " Dixon Air Line " had reached Dixon about the same time. With
the approach of the railroads came many strangers from near and far.
It stimulated trade, and had a reviving influence everywhere. The
prosperity of the town was no longer a matter of conjecture, but an
established fact. In August of this year there were one hundred and
twentj^-eight places of business occupying stores, offices, shops, etc.,
among them two printing offices, four hotels, two planing-mills, a saw-
mill, fonndry and machine shop, and a flouring mill in Dixon. Before
the close of 1855 the population of the town had increased to 3,000.
Another feature worthy of note is the relative character of the build-
ings erected before and after the railways reached here. The ideas of
the people became enlarged, and with that growth came pride — pride
in the appearance of their dwellings and places of business. The spirit
of rivalry between towns and villages, too, was high, and as the result
of this rivalry stimulated into life by the railways we point with par-
donable pride to our public buildings, business blocks and elegant resi-
dences.

All this growth and improvement was not the work of ill-advised
speculation, nor the result of unwarranted ambition by our citizens, but
the needs of the place called for it for the accommodation of the new
comers that were constantly arriving and for the increased trade that
naturally found its way to our city. There were one hundred and
thirty buildings erected in Dixon during the year 1855.

September 30 of this year the Evangelical Lutheran church was
dedicated. This building was torn down in 1880 ; it stood near James
A. Hawley's residence.

November 5 a school opened in the new union school-house on
Peoria street. This building cost $6,000, and was a two-story brick,
33x45 feet. It stood on the ground now occupied by J. C. Ayres'
residence. The old wooden desks were discarded at this time and the
first patent school furniture introduced into our schools.

During September of the same autumn a three-story brick build-

110 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY,

ing on Galena street was built by H. Webb, and Davis & Bro's
building on the corner of Hennepin and Main streets; Nasli and
Noble's four-story brick (Union Hall), and Ely & Rice's three-story
brick on Main street, and nearly a score of other buildings were built.

On January 16, 1856, a building owned by Mrs. Patrick, on the
corner of Ottawa and Main streets, burned down at midnight, destroy-
ing about $3,000 worth of law books and papers for S. G. Patrick.
Herrick's block, now owned by J. C. Ayres, was erected in the same
year. The beginning of this year (January 3, 1856) was noted for
the organization of an Anti-Nebraska Association ; the object of
which was to promote the settlement of Kansas by assisting bona-fide
emigrants to that territory ; and at a public meeting and by private
solicitation $1,000 was subscribed by the citizens for this purpose.

The improvements of Dixon during 1857 were anticipated by the
appearance of a new satellite in the literary political world called the
"Dixon Republican," edited and published by Beckwith & Legget ; it
appeared about January 15, 1857. It was soon absorbed, however, by
the " Telegraph," and disappeared. In the spring of this year a joint
stock company was formed with a capital of $20,000, for the erection
of a starch factory. The building was erected in West Dixon, on the
bank of the river; but it was never entirely finished. It was a stone
structure, the main building 100 X 62 feet, and two stories high. In
July of the same year the corner stone of the Union Eagle Works,
was laid under the inspiring influence of music and oratorical elo-
quence. These works were established between the Central and
Northwestern depots. April 2, 1857, the niachine shops of Robinson
& Randall opposite the Dixon Mills commenced business.

1858 was noted for the defeat of the proposed city charter. The
first ballot was cast by the citizens on the proposed document in Feb-
ruary, when it was rejected by 96 for with 279 against. Again on
April 18 it was defeated by a vote of 219 for with 231 against. The
instrument being offensive to the people, they refused to accept it.
The " Telegraph," in its comments on the document, said : " It has cre-
ated a greater sensation among our citizens than did the great magna
charta among the Britons at the time of John of charter fame. The
obnoxious provisions will have to be removed before our people will
consent to its adoption." Th<3 question of license to sell ardent spirits
was agitating the public mind, and it seems that the proposed docu-
ment was radically changed, as on December 4 it was adopted at a
special election.

Dixon had become a central point for the grain and produce market,
and in the autumn of 1858 the stone warehouse of Joseph Gates,
which stood near the Central depot burst out one end with the pressure

THE CITY OF DIXON. Ill

of grain, causing great loss to the proprietors of both building and
stock. In the summer of this year (1858) Mr. W. C VanOsdel
erected a three-story sash and blind factory in the west end of Dement
Town. In 1860 it was converted into a sorghum mill, which run
about a year when it was abandoned and the building removed.

City Organization. — The year 1859 is memorable to the citizens
of Dixon as the time of her transition from a town to the dignity of
a city. A writer on Dixon history says : " From 1853 to 1859 Dixon
luxuriated in the name of 'town.' The ambition of our citizens was
aroused to such a pitch that the name of town was too insignificant,
and consequently a charter was obtained from the state legislature,
and the city was organized by the election of city officers, March 7,
1859. And now a new order of things was inaugurated. More
attention was paid to laying and repairing sidewalks, and keeping the
streets in good condition, and initial steps were taken toward a more
complete sj^stem of public schools than the place had before enjoyed.

" The incorporation of Dixon was certainly a step in the right direc-
tion. It was a logical conclusion destined to follow a wise forethought
and careful management. Perhaps none could take more pride in the
consummation of this wise step than Father Dixon, who had lived to
see advancement stamped upon each succeeding year, until the seal of
' success ' was placed upon the enterprise commenced thirty-nine years
before."

"The shrieking locomotive thunders over the bluflt' where once the
buffalo paused to look down upon the himible home of the pioneer;
the red deer made his lair under the shade of giant oaks where now
are busy streets; and where a rude but brave soldiery once pitched
their tents in the Indian war is now the silent citj' of the dead, in
whose narrow habitations rest the voiceless forms of those whose once
busy hands and willing hearts reared for us the homes and secured for
us the privileges which we now enjoy. The buffalo, the red man, the
pioneer, the children of the white-haired, and finally Nachusa him-
self, have passed away as a dream ; the busy life throbs on, but they are
among the things of the past."

March 7, 1859, the city was organized by the election of city offi-
cers. The aldermen elected were W. H. Yan Epps and Joseph Craw-
ford for the first ward ; H. E. Williams and R. H. Robinson for the
second ward; William Barge and A. A. Benjamin for the third ward;
W. A. Hoisington and William Peacock for the fourth ward. A. P.
Curry was elected city marshal, and C. V. Tenney police justice.
Col. John Dement, the mayor elect, failing to qualify, Joseph Craw-
ford was appointed acting mayor by the council and an election was
ordered for April 4, when A. C. Steadman was chosen to the vacancy

112 IIISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

of that office. The result upon the license question stood 297 against
and 171 for license. A. C. Steadman was elected mayor in 1860.
Those following were G. L. Herrick in 1861, James B. Charters in
1862, Oliver Everett in 1863, James K. Edsall in 1864, Person Cheney,
jr., in 1865 and 1866, Andrew McPherran in 1867 and 1868, John
Dement from 1869 to 1872 inclusive, Joseph Crawford in 1873, 1874
and 1875, James A. Hawley in 1876 and 1877, John Dement in 1878
and 1879, and J. Y. Thomas in 1880.

During this year the city was visited by the first great conflagra-
tion of its history, in which there were seventeen buildings destroyed
in the business part of the city, sweeping up both sides of Main street
for more than half a block, causing a loss of over $30,000. During
this year Col. John Dement made some change in his plow factory,
and removed it to the water-power. In the autumn of 1859 the two
factories and a Mr. Brookner's saw-mill, which stood on the north
side of the river near the dam, were under-washed by the current
at the river's brink; and while the buildings were slowly moving
toward the river, where the water was twenty feet deep, the machinery
and everything movable were taken out and the buildings set on fire
to save the two bridges below, which it was thought would be dam-
aged by the descent of the timbers against them.

In August of this year Messrs. Cheney & Co. vacated their steam
flouring-raill on Third street, and started a mill in the new building
which they purchased of Messrs. Godfrey, Jerome & Co. for $28,000.

It was chronicled on January 17, 1861: "Business in town w^ears
a better appearance since the completion of the free bridge. The
mills of William Uhl and Beckers & Underwood are doing a splendid
business; the plow factory of Col. Dement is turning out plows rap-
idly ; the foundr}' is in successful blast. Merchants and clerks are
busy and everything wear§ a cheerful aspect, notwithstanding the
gloomy forebodings of some who fear fatal consequences to the busi-
ness of the country from the southern civil commotions."

During the period of the war manufacturing interests made but
little advancement in this city. In 1864 Messrs. Fargo, Pratt & Co.
commenced the manufacture of platform scales. Other manufactories
were successfully worked during the dark days of the rebellion ; but
the absorbing interest of the country, the scarcity of laborers, the small
demand for certain products of the industry' of the countr}', aff'ected
Dixon as every other inland town in the country. But no sooner had
the war closed and the country had returned to the employment of peace
than the spirit of enterprise was again manifest in Dixon.

On the 9th of August, 1866, the Bucklin File Manufacturing
Company was incorporated with a capital of $100,000. A large stone

THE CITY OF DIXON. 113

building 40 X 140 feet was erected, and in May, 1867, the cotnpan}- com-
menced operations in their new building, but the business failed in less
than a year from defects in the Bucklin patent. In the following Jan-
uary (1868) John Stanley and Joseph Ogle bought some of the tools
and commenced the manufacture of hand-cut files. In the autumn of
1867 Messrs. Severance & Cheney commenced the manufacture of
platform scales, which factory changed hands in July 1869 ; John T.
Cheney and John P. Hutchinson became the manufacturers of the
scales which has since been known as the " Victor." In the same
year (1867) the Masonic block, Riley & Weigle's building, S. W.
Jones' building on the corner of Main and Hennepin streets, and Van-
Epps' brick block adjoining the Exchange block on the east, were
erected.

In October, 1868, Theron Cumins and H. T. Noble commenced the
repairs of the old factory buildings between the depots, preparatory to
removing the plow works from Grand Detour to this location. The
buildings were enlarged and operations commenced the following
spring.

In December, 1870, the Northwestern Windmill Works of Thomas
C. Little & Co., on the north side of the river, began work.

In this year (1870) the census of Dixon was 4,054, and of Lee county
27,252. In this year was commenced the city-hall building for the use
of the fire department, and was completed in January of the next year.

In September, 1871, the Dixon National Bank was organized by
the election of officers : H. B. Jenks was elected president, John
Dement vice-president, and H. S. Lucas cashier. The following year
(1872) the new jail was built, an account of which may be found in the
following pages.

In March. 1873, the Knitting Mills were burned, being an entire
loss of $25,000. This was a calamity to Dixon and of great loss to
the proprietors. Damage was also done to Messrs. Becker & Under-
wood's flouring-mills by fire in December of the same year.

During this year the Dixon Opera House was erected by Messrs. H.
H. Stevens, F. A. Truman, J. D. Crabtree, and W. Gr. Stevens. It
was opened on the 30th of November by the Payson English Opera
Company.

In the following year (December 22, 1874) the Western Excelsior
Gas Company began the manufacturing of gas for the lighting of the
city. The charter of this company was repealed, and on May 10,
1879, the city council granted J. D. Patton the right to establish gas-
works in Dixon.

On the 26th of December of this year is recorded the death of
Judge W. H. Heaton, who died in Chicago, aged sixty-three years. He

114 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

came to Dixon about 1840 and liad been a resident tliere ever since.
A few months before his death he was promoted from the office of
judge of the circuit court to the position of chief justice of the appel-
late court of Ciiicago district.

On April 8, 1880, occurred the most disastrous tire recorded in
Dixon, sweeping away the mills at the water-power, for a description
of which we refer the reader to the fire record in this volume. In the
following year large flouring-mills were erected near the ruins of the
former.

Distinguished Visitors. — Dixon has been favored at various times
by distinguished men and women of the country. Beginning with the
e;iiiit'st days of the country now occupied by Dixon, we meet with the
names of Lincoln, Anderson, Taylor, the notorious Davis, and a score
of men who visited the present site of Dixon, as described in connec-
tion with the Black Hawk war in this book. Since the improvement
of the country, and the growth of Dixon to cit}^ proportions, she has
been visited by many of the most distinguished literary characters of
the countr3^ John B. Gough, the popular temperance lecturer, enter-
tained the citizens of Dixon on the evening of January (3,1857; Horace
Greeley, on the 13th of the next month, and John G. Saxe, the poet,
on December 30, gave a popular reading in Dixon. In the next year
came Mrs. Macready with her literary entertainments ; in February,
1859, Fred Douglas; in January, 1867, Schuyler Colfax; and in De-
cember, 1869, Mrs. Cady Stanton ; all of whom lectured to the people
of Dixon and vicinit3\ In January of 1870 Hon. Henry Yincent gave
" Oliver Cromwell " to the Dixonites. Then followed musical enter-
tainments by Philip Phillips in 1871; the Philharmonic Society, as-
sisted by the Baker family, rendered the oratorio of'* Queen Esther"
in 1872; and on August 20, 21 and 22, 1873, a brass band jubilee was
held in the fair grounds, which closed with a grand instrumental con-
cert by the Northwestern Light Guard band, of Chicago. Then fol-
lowed at various periods lectures by Prof. Swing, of Chicago; Olive
Logan, Susan B. Anthony, Henry Ward Beecher, Dr. Dio Lewis, Hon.
Geo. E. Wendling, and Theodore Tilton ; the last in 1878.

Location of Dixon. — Dixon is situated on the Illinois Central rail-
road, at its crossing with the Chicago and Northwestern. It is ninety-
eight miles from Chicago by rail. It is on two great trunk lines, one
running north and south through the state, and the other running east
and west, being the principal connecting link between the Union Pacilic,
and the many lines that diverge from Chicago. By either of the above
roads we have rapid communication with the outside world, north,
south, east and west. It is beautifuUj' situated on the eastern bank of
Rock river, about seventy-five miles from its mouth. The landscape on

DIXON PAPERS. 117

eitlier side of the river at this point is truly delightful ; consisting of
gradual slopes and tables, for sixty rods back, covered with a somewhat
sandy soil, and at this season a carpet of living green, thus furnishing
sites for residences surpassed by few in any part of the world.

The town has a great advantage over many inland cities in the
manner of scenery and picturesque beauty of location, and as it is on
high and very rolling ground the drainage is excellent. To the nortii and
south are broad stretches of fine, prairie, smooth and unbroken, and
adorned all over with the homes of thrifty farmers ; to the east and west,
and in fact, all around us, in the immediate vicinity, are beautiful hills,
valleys, and plains. In the summer, when all nature is clothed in her
most beautiful garments of variegated charms, it is hard to find a more
pleasant place. Indeed this locality is obtaining quite a notoriety as
a summer resort, and from the decks of the pleasure steamers that sail
back and forth upon the waters of Rock river at this point, can be seen
the white tents of numerous camping parties, peeping out from among
the green foliage lining the banks and islands.

DIXON PAPERS.

The first newspaper published in Dixon was the "Dixon Tele-
graph," by C. R. Fisk, May 1, 1851. That is the only paper which
has stood the vicissitudes of time and convulsions of trade for many
years, in this part of the country. The " Dixon Sun " and the " West-
ern Farmer," though skillfully managed, and now on a firm founda-
tion, are of comparatively recent date. The "Dixon Transcript" was
commenced by Charles Allen, October 19, 1851:; this paper struggled
under financial embarrassments, with several changes of proprietors,
until about January 1857, when it was discontinued. The "Dixon
Republican," by Beckwith & Legget, commenced publication January
15, 1857. Mr. Shaw being the proprietor of the " Telegraph," a con-
solidation was efi'ected under the name of the "Republican and Tele-
graph," Shaw & Beckwith, proprietors. Mr. Shaw wishing to try his
skill in the gold mines, sold his interest to I. S. Boardman. Subse-
quently Mr. Beckwith sold his interest to the same party.

The " Dixon Monitor," by Charles Meigs, appeared January 25,
1858. It failed in the following November, when the " Dixon Adver-
tiser," with an able corps of editors — Messrs. Eustace, Stiles and Ather-
ton — arose upon its ruins. It did Hot prove a profitable investment,
and was sold to Mr. Boardman, of the " Telegraph," in November 1859.

The " Lee County Democrat," by E. Giles, made its appearance
June 25, 1868; subsequently the proprietorship passed into the hands
of S. C. Postlewait. November 1, 1871, it passed into the hands of
8

118 HISTORY OF LKE COUNTY.

W. M. Kennedy, who, March 6, 1872, changed its name to that of the
'* Dixon Sun."

The " Herald" made its appearance February 12, 1868, A. C. Bard-
well, editor. In the fall of that year the " Telegraph " was passed over
by Mr. I. S. Boardnian to his two sons, Wm. H. and John D. Board-
man, who, with Mr. Bard well, organized a stock company, merging
the two papers into one about November 22, 1869. Mr. Bardwell
assumed the editorship and Wm. H. Boardman the business manage-
ment. The " Telegraph " is now in the editorial charge of B. F.
Shaw, Esq.

The "Bock River Farmer," a monthly, W. M. Kennedy, propri-
etor, was started in January 1871. This work soon assumed an excel-
lent position, and its circulation became so extended that its proprietor
was induced, in June 1875, to change its name to that of the " West-
ern Farmer." It is the second of two monthlies of its character in
successful operation in this state.

Aside from the foregoing, several papers not designed by their
originators to be regularly issued made their appearance from time to
time; among these were the "Daily Whisper," by John D. McKay;
" Life in Dixon," illustrated, by J. C. Ayers, Noah Brooks and Mr.
Curtis, appeared December 25, 1868; "Our Enterprise," by Wm. M.
Kennedy, May 1870; and the "Gospel Trumpet," under the auspices
of the Baptist church of this city. The first two, the "Whisper" and
" Life in Dixon," displayed great ability, and produced a marked sen-
sation.

The Lee County National Bank. — This bank was organized April
1, 1865, witli a capital of $100,000. The following gentlemen were
elected to the board of directors, to-wit: Joseph Crawford, Joseph
Utley, S. S. Williams, E. W. Pomeroy, Josiah Little, jr., Abijah
Powers, and Wm. Uhl. Joseph Crawford was elected president, S. C.
Eells, cashier, and John Coleman, assistant-cashier. Mr. Crawford and
Mr. Eells still occupy their relation to the bank as above.

The Dixon National Bank. — In 1871 Messrs. A. B. Jenks, H. S.
Lucas, John Dement, Wm. Kennedy, J. B. Pomeroy, I. S. Boardman,
P. M. Alexander, A. Johnson, J. B. Charters, and others, applied for
a charter for the Dixon National Bank, with a capital of $100,000.
The charter having been obtained the following ofiicers were elected :
Directors — H. B. Jenks, H.S.Lucas, John Dement, Quartus Ely,
and James B. Charters. The present board of directors are Jas. A.
Hawley, Theron Cumins, Jason C. Ayres, James B. Pomeroy, and
A. C. Wayman. Jason C. Aj'res, president, and Jas. A. Hawley,
cashier.

The Ga^ Conipany. — Tlie Western Excelsior Gas Company, by city

PIXON SCHOOLS. 119

ordinance of September 18, 1874, commenced the manufacture and dis-
tribution of gas to the streets, business houses and homes of the citi-
zens. The council ordered, January 8, 1877, the supply to the streets
discontinued, and tiiat the street lamps and posts be removed and
stored away. May 10, 1877, the council granted J. D. Patton the
right to establish gas-works in Dixon, which enterprise has since been
known as the Dixon Gaslight Company, which has since furnished
light to streets and private and public buildings.

DIXON SCHOOLS.

The scholastic advantages presented by a town are always carefully
'* weighed in the balance,"" by heads of families who contemplate a
change of residence. It is but natural, too, that this matter should be
closely inquired into, as so much depends upon the facilities afforded
the children in a community where the public schools are the alma
maters of so large a proportion. The time has long since gone by when
this matter could be ignored, and we are glad to be able to chronicle
the fact that Illinois has taken the second position among the states in
the educational cause.

No better evidence of the intelligence and enterprise which charac-
terize the people of Dixon can be given than the tasteful and commo-
dious public school buildings of the city, which are alike enduring
monuments to their projectors and builders as well as ornaments to the
city.

In the summer of 1837 the first school-house, a one-story frame
building, 20x30 feet, w'as built on the lot east of Mrs. Truman's place ;
it was afterward removed to the lot south of D. W. McKinney's resi-
dence. This building for several years was used for a variety of pur-
poses : school-house, court-house, town hall, meeting-house, etc.

In 1838 the first school was opened in the new building under the
charge of H. Bicknell ; it was supported by individual tuition fees.
Previous to this Mr, Dixon had employed a Miss Butler, of Bureau
county, to teach his own children. The teachers in charge of the school
after Mr. Bicknell were Mr. Bowen a part of 181:0 ; W. W. Heaton in
winter of 1841-2. Among the pupils were Jane Ann Herrick (late
Mrs. H. T. Noble), Geo. Foot, Mrs. D. B. McKinney. Miss Ophelia
Loveland (Mrs. J. B. Brooks) taught the school during the summer of
1843. The district then included both sides of the river and up the
river as far as Mr. Fuller's place, and yet the school numbered only
about twenty -five pupils ; among these were Miss Helen Williams,
(now Mrs. Mulkins) and Miss Elizabeth and James Ayres, children of
Oscar F. Ayres, of this city. Lorenzo Wood was teacher during the
winter of 1843-4. Among the pupils were Miss Sybil C. Vanarnara

120 Hr8T<^RY OF LEK COUNTY.

and Mrs. A. R. Whitney. Mr. Cross and Mr. James Lamm
taught the school between the years 1846 and 1848. In 1848 J. D.
McKay had charge of the school and Col. H. T. Noble in 1851 and
1852 ; among the pupils at this time were Mrs. Sonle, Mrs Hollenbeck
(deceased) and Mrs. B. F. Shaw. The old school-house had been
abandoned and a new stone building erected, the same that is now
owned by Mi'S. Burke, recently inclosed by a frame house. The school-
room becoming somewhat too small, a primary department under
charge of Miss Jane Ann Herrick was started in the court-house in
1852. C. N. Levanway taught the school in 1852 and 1853, and was
succeeded by F. A. Soule. In 1854 Wm. Barge assumed control of the
schools and continued in charge from that date until July 1859. Dur-
ing his charge the school took the character and efficiency of a graded
school ; shortly after Mr. Barge took charge the schoohwas transferred
to the basement of the building known as the " Land Office," now
used as a residence.

May 7, 1855, Dixon Collegiate Institute, under the care of Rev. W.
W. Harsha, commenced its first term ; school-room in the basement of
the Lutheran church. Early teachers in this institution were Rev. W.
"W. Harsha, Professor E. C. Smith, Mrs. E. A. Smith, Mrs. C. L.
Harsha, and Miss Jenny L. Backus.

July 15, 1857, a Female Seminary under charge of the Episcopal
church, Rev. J. W. Downing, principal, was started in the large white
house west of the Central depot.

In August, 1858, a high-school department was established in the
old Methodist Episcopal church on Second street, and A. H. Fitch was
elected principal. A. M. Gow was employed as superintendent of
schools, and James Gow as principal of the high school, in 1859. The
school then consisted of five departments, and had an enrollment of
about 400. These gentlemen continued in charge of the school until
1862, when the present principal, E. C. Smith, was elected to act at
once as superintendent of schools and principal of the high school, in
which capacity he has labored ever since.

The city is divided into tw^o school districts, and in the winter of
1868-9 the people of District No. 5 (north side), at a cost of $20,000,
erected a tine school building of magnificent appearance, standing on an
elevation near the grove that skirts the northern part of our town, and
overlooking every portion of the city, the river, its islands, and rough
romantic scenery, and the rolling prairie beyond. The bnilding is con-
structed of brick to the third story, with a Mansard roof, crowned
with a neat belfry. The ground plan is 54X63 feet, and, including
the basement, is four stories high. The first and second stories, each
thirteen feet high, are divided into two school-rooms, 25x38 feet, with

IUXON SCHOOLS. 1*21

a recitation room for each, 10 x 18 feet. The Mansard story is one large
study-room, 39x48 feet, sixteen feet high, having a rostrum in the
north end, 10 x 12 feet, with an ante-room opening upon it from either
side. The halls are commodious and give easy access to each room.

Mr. C. O. Scudder is principal of the schools on the north side, and
they are prospering under his careful management. There are now en-
rolled in the different departments about 180 pupils.

Tlie high-school department is taught by the principal, assisted by
Miss Welty ; the grammar school is taught by Miss A. Raymond ; in-
termediate by Miss M. Yates, and the primary department by Mrs. A.
C. Hoi brook.

The building on the south side, in District No. 1, was erected in
the summer of 1869 at a cost of $32,000. It is a handsome brick struc-
ture of even more imposing appearance than its predecessor on the
north side. This building, situated as it is upon a high eminence in
the southern part of the city near the depots, is the most prominent
object that meets the gaze of strangers visiting our city.

The building, which is 91x75 feet, four stories high, including the
basement, is admirably arranged, each room being large and well
adapted to the purpose for which it is used, while the furniture con-
sists of modern and most approved patterns. The seats provided will
accommodate 516 pupils with comfort and convenience. The building
contains eight school-rooms, with all the necessary recitation rooms,
closets, etc., thus arranged : one primary and two intermediate rooms
on the first floor, two intermediate and one grammar room on the
second floor, and the first grammar and high school-rooms on the third
floor.

There are 459 pupils enrolled in the south side public schools.

The schools in this district are under the efficient management of
E. C. Smith, who has served in the capacity of superintendent of the
south side schools for the past eighteen years.

The high school is taught by the superintendent, assisted by Miss
Emma Goodrich, with an attendance of fifty pupils.

The first grammar school is taught by Miss Adelia Pinckney, with
an attendance of twenty-seven pupils, and the second by Miss Nellie
Sonle, with an attendance of thirty-four.

The first intermediate is taught by Miss Hattie Sterling, with an
attendance of fifty-six pupils; the second, taught by Miss Ida DeLand,
numbers forty-five pupils; the third, taught by Miss Emma Burnham,
numbers forty-nine pupils, and the fourth, taught by Miss Fannie Mur-
phy, numbers fifty-seven pupils.

The primary department is taught by Miss Amelia McCuiiisey, and
numbers fifty-one pupils.

122 IirsT(1KY <^F LEE OOUNTY.

North of the court-liouse, in the tirst ward, is another primary
school where Miss A. G. Curtice instructs forty-five pupils. West of
the central depot, in the third ward, is another small school building
in which Mrs. L. L. Woodwarth instructs forty-seven pupils.

Since the grade system of instruction was adopted in the south
side schools, beginning with 1364, there has been seventy-two gradu-
ates from the high school : forty-one females and thirtj^-one males.
There has been two or three classes graduated from the high school
on tiie north side since the adoption of the grade system in that dis-
trict in 1869; the number of graduates we, however, were unable to
learn.

The Catholic society has a denominational school with an average
attendance of 150 scholars, under the instruction of four Dominican
sisters and one novice. The school was started about 1872 in the old
church building, under the labors of Father McDermott, and has been
kept up in a prosperous condition ever since.

In addition to the public schools our city has the Rock River Uni-
versity. The building is a large brick and stone edifice, five stories
high, located on a high eminence in the east part of the town, and
commands a view of the country for many miles in extent all around
our citj", as well as the course of Rock river in its meanderings towarci
the father of waters, until it passes from the range of sight. The
building is constructed on an extensive plan and is admirably adapted
to the purpose for which it was erected.

January 30, 1855, a meeting was held at Exchange Hall for the
purpose of taking into consideration the plan proposed by the Rock
River Presbytery, through their agents Revs. Harsha and Mason, for
locating a college at this place.

As a result, on July 4, 1855, the cor?ier stone of the Dixon Colle-
giate Institute was laid in the presence of a large concourse of people.
B. F. Taylor, of Chicago, delivered the oration. The institution had
an endowment of $25,000; the citizens of Dixon giving grounds,
property, apparatus, etc., to the extent of $12,000. In 1857 the insti-
tution was incorporated by special act of the legislature. In 1858 it
was abandoned by the presbytery.

In 1858 the Dixon Collegiate Institute was reorganized under the
auspices of A. M. Gow.

September 8, 1863, the Dixon Seminary was opened in the college
building by S. G. Lathrop and M. M. Tooke.

Januarj' 20, 1874, a conservatory of music was started in the sem-
inary building, by Profs. S. W. Moses and E. A. Gurney.

November 1, 1875, school was opened in the college building

DIXON HOTELS, 123

under the name of the Rock River University. O. G. May, presi-
dent, and M. M. Tooke, regent.

December 2, 1878, A. M. Hansen took charge of the Rock River
University.

September 3, 1879, the Rock River University opened under new
management ; J. R. Hinckley, president.

The institution settled down to a preparatory and military acad-
emy, yet competent instruction in the normal, business, musical and
art departments was provided for those wishing such special work.

The last board of management and instruction consisted of Jay R.
Hinckley, president; Maj. H. O. Chase, military instructor; W. H.
Cliaraberlain, business manager; Henry M. Douglass, Mrs. Jay R.
Hinckley, and Miss Lucy Whiton.

Normal School. — The citizens of Dixon have pledged an appro-
priation of i^25,000 for the purpose of establishing a normal school,
which it is expected will be opened September 1 b}' Miss Dilly and
Flint, of Valparaiso, Indiana, in the old seminary building until their
new building is erected.

DIXON HOTELS.

It has been said of the early days of the country that " every house
is a place of entertainment." Some special attention was given to this
by a few families in an early day, but the first hotel built for the pur-
pose was the Western, erected in 1836, and opened in that winter by
Messrs. H. Thompson and P. McKinney. [t was what is now used as
the northern part of the Revere house, on Hennepin street near Second.
This was followed by the Rock River house, in 1837, by Messrs. Crow-
ell & Willson. This house was afterward known as the Phoenix, and
was destroyed by lire in 1846. The Dixon house was the third build-
ing erected for a hotel in Dixon, and was built about 1840.

On March 19, 1853, a company was formed with a capital of $10,-
000 for the erection of a large hotel, the building to be ready for the
public in July, but was not ready until December 10 of that year.
This is the Nachusa house, and was built upon a foundation that was
laid for a hotel in 1838, which enterprise failed at the time through the
then existing financial stringency felt in the state. TheNachusa house
is situated on Galena street, opposite the public square. It occupies a
commanding eminence, and overlooks the whole town, as well as the
course of Rock river for many miles above and below the city. It is
built of undressed limestone, and, including the basement, is five stories
high. The main building is 48x40 feet, with a wing in the rear
80x36 built to the main building by E. B. Stiles in 1854. The fifth
story was added to the building in 1867, and is finished with a Man-

124

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY,

sard roof. The original and entire cost of the building was over $30,-
000 ; to erect this house now, with the present cost of materials, would
probably be near $40,000. The management of the house is now in
the hands of Mr. Geo. Benjamin, who is a thorough business man.

The Washington house was erected in 1854 on the corner of Main
and Ottawa streets. It is a three-story brick structure, 34x60 feet,
with a large frame addition in the rear. This house is near the business
part of the city, and close to the Rock river water-power. The present
proprietor, Henry Remers, erected the building, and has conducted the
business since that time, with the exception of four years, between 1856
and 1860.

NACHUSA HOUSE.

In August, 1855, Mr. McKenney removed the Dixon house from
the ground now occupied by Riley's brick buildings on Main street to
its present location opposite the Opera house.

On June 14, 1856, Messrs. Cropsey, Dement & Noble commenced
the erection of a large hotel, called the Shabbona House, near the
depots. It was afterward leased to Messrs. Crocket & Dake. In the
following year (1857) it was opened by Mr. Benjamin, from Vermont,
and the house changed in name to the Dement House. On December
2, 1868, it M'as reopened as the St. James Hotel by H. E. Gedney. This
was followed by the Waverly House, at the Air Line depot, by Messrs.
Cheney & Co., on April 19, 1860; at the present writing it is under
the management of Mr. Thomas Young.

The Keystone House was opened ia 1866, on Main street, near

BRIDGES, 125

Galena, and is quite centrally located ; it is under the direction of Mrs.
E. Brautegan at the present writing.

The hotels of a city form one of the chief attractions to the traveling
public. From the character of the hotels an opinion either favorable
or otherwise is generally formed of the enterprise of a place ; for a
people who are hospitable, and appreciate the presence and comfort of
strangers who may visit their city, will see to it that good accommoda-
tions are provided for them ; and the ample provisions made in the city
of Dixon, and the hospitality extended to strangers, are well attested
by the traveling public.

BRIDGES.

In 1845 Mr. Dixon spent most of the time of a legislative session in
Springfield in an effort to secure the passage of a " bridge and dam "
charter for the benefit of the city. It was strongly opposed on the
ground that the state had no power to authorize any obstruction to a
stream declared navigable within its limits ; that the stream belonged
to the whole people and could not be diverted from the interests of
commerce to private or corporate purposes. To this it was replied that
the river was not in fact navigable without the aid of dams, and that
the Rock river valley was destined to become h vast manufacturing re-
gion. Mr. Dixon succeeded toward the close of the session in getting
the bill through, although the bridge was to supersede his ferry, which
was then yielding to him $800 per year. Under this charter the first
bridge was built in 1846 at a cost of $8,000. This bridge was built by
the Rock River Dam and Bridge Company in the fall and winter of
1846 and 1847, at the foot of Ottawa street. Travel had hardly com-
menced when the spring freshet of March 20, 1847, swept away the
north half. The bridge was rebuilt two feet higher than the original
bridge during the summer at a cost of $2,000. The contractors were
Lorenzo Wood and Luther I. Towner. The board of directors consist-
ed of the following gentlemen : John Dement, Oliver Everett, John
Dixon, M. Fellows, Ottis A. Eddy, J. B. Brooks, Jas. P. Dixon, and
Horace Preston. This bridge stood as repaired until the spring of 1849,
when the south half was taken out. The ferry was brought into requi-
sition until the summer of 1851, when the south half of the bridge was
rebuilt, raising it four feet higher than the north half, making this part
of the bridge six feet higher than the original bridge. The following
persons constituted the directors of the bridge company, who were
elected on May 5, 1851 : John Dement, C. Aldridge, John Shellaber,
J. B. Brooks, John Y. Eustace, Carleton Bayley, I. S. Boardman, jr.,
Lorenzo Wood, and E. B. Baker.

The structure erected in 1851 stood until the spring of 1857, when
the descent of the ice on the 24th day of February of that year carried

126 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

it away. During 18.")G a free l^ridge was built by private parties across
the river in what was known as Morril Town, below where the railroad
bridge stands. This was just completed when, on the 14th of
February, 1857, the ice which had accumulated around the piers was
lifted up by the rising water, carrying the bridge with it ; but the ice
not breaking up, the superstructure was not carried away. It was
damaged, however, so that it had to be rebuilt, which was done in the
spring, only to be carried away by the June freshet. At this time both
bridges, the one at the foot of Ottawa street and the free bridge below,
were destroyed. On the 23d of May, 1857, Mr. James A. Watson
commenced the erection of a foot-bridge at the foot of Galena street,
but money was raised in a few days after to erect a wagon and foot
bridge, which was completed during the summer, and on the 28th day
of November, 1857, two spans of the north end went down with two
loaded teams and eight or ten head of cattle. This was repaired only
to be swept away by the flood of June 3, 1858, which also destroyed
the free bridge which had been rebuilt. Tlie city paper, of this date,
said: "Rock river is at this time swollen to overflowing its banks.
Both the wagon bridges at this place have suff'ered in consequence of
the flood. The free bridge, but a small portion of which was carried
away, will be repaired immediately; while steps will be taken by our
citizens to build a new bridge in the place of the one swept away at the
foot of Galena street." On the 25th of August, 1859, active operations
were commenced in the erection of a free bridge at the foot of Galena
street to cost $12,000; Z. H. Luckey, contractor. Four months after
it was completed, on the 20th of February 1859, the dam gave way be-
fore an accumulation of ice, which together descended against the
bridge and carried away two bents at one crash ; and later, two
more were taken. In the following August, 1860, a free bridge was
commenced to take the place of the toll-bridge taken out by the ice in
the previous winter. The completion of this bridge was embarrassed by
not having sufficient funds at command to carry the work forward. " Free
bridge parties " were given and the proceeds added to the liberal con-
tributions of the merchants. Finally, the necessary sum ($13,000)
was raised and the bridge was thrown open to the public amidst great
rejoicing, January 1, 1861. This was an event in the history of Dixon.
On New Year's eve a large " free bridge party " was held a the
Nachusa House, which was so successful that the arrearage that had
delayed the completion of the work was arranged. The object was ac-
complished so that at four o'clock in the afternoon of the next day,
January 1, the mayor and council, in sleighs and cutters, headed a
large procession across the bridge accompanied by the sound of music
and the thunder of cannon. About this time the lower bridge disap-
peared.

BRIDGES. 127

On May 10, 1866, a middle span of the bridge went down with a
drove of about one hundred head of cattle, all of which were thrown
into the river, and two were drowned. Repairs were begun on Decem-
ber 2, 1867, by James Watson ; but in the spring, March 7, 1868, the
bridge was destroyed by the high water and floating ice. This freshet
took out about 120 feet of the south end of the dam, and battered
down one pier of the railroad bridge on the following night.

Through all these years, until the city erected the Truesdell iron
bridge in 1868, nine bridges — all of wood resting upon wooden trestles
or piers — had been, either in part or wholly, swept away by the treacher-
ous waters of Rock river. This being the case, the people finally came
to the conclusion that they would erect a bridge which no flood could
wash away. With much labor and expense piers and abutments of
solid masonry were placed upon substantial foundations made by driving
piles below the gravel and changing the bed of the river. Upon these
piers and abutments was placed a handsome superstructure wholly of
iron, with the exception of the floors. The entire cost of the work to
the city was $75,000. The opening of the bridge to the public on
January 21, 1869, was made the occasion for a celebration by our citi-
zens, and after a severe test of its strength the structure was accepted
by the city, and all rejoiced that they had at last secured a bridge
of such great strength. The occasion was celebrated by a procession
a mile long headed by Father Dixon in a carriage ; he was followed
by other old settlers, Dixon cornet band, the city council, and citizens
in wagons and carriages; and no one present upon this occasion
thought they would live to see its destruction ; but alas ! how frail are
human hopes! Scarcely four years had passed when it fell, resulting
in such a fearful sacrifice of life and property, and causing so much
sufi^ering,

Sunday, May 4, 1873, the Truesdell iron bridge fell, precipitating
about two hundred men, women and children, who were witnessing a
baptismal ceremony just below the bridge, into the stream without a
moment's notice ; thirty-seven persons were drowned, or killed by por-
tions of the structure falling upon them; forty-seven were seriously
and five mortally injured. The bridge was twisted and broken from
end to end, and hung from the piei's, an appalling sight in itself.
Those killed were Miss Katy Sterling, Miss Melissie Wilhelm, Miss
Maggie O'Brien, Miss Nettie Hill, Miss Ida Vann, Miss Ida Drew, Miss
Agnes Nixon, Miss Bessie Rayne, Miss Irene Baker, Miss Emily Dom-
ing, Miss Lizzie Mackay, Mrs. Doctor Hofl'man, Mrs. J. W. Latta, Mrs.
Col. H. T. Noble, Mrs. Benjamin Gilman, Mrs. Carpenter, Mrs. Will-
iam Took, Mrs. James Goble, Mrs. Elias Hope, Mrs. E. Wallace, Mrs.
E. Petersberger and little daughter, Mrs. Thomas Wade, Mrs. Henry

128 HISTORY OF LEE OOrNTY.

Sillman, Mrs. William Merriman, Mrs. C. W, Kentner, two children
of Mrs. Hcndrix, two daughters of Mrs. Staekpole, Clara and Rosa,
Mr. George W. Kent, Mr. Frank Hamilton, Mr. Edward Doyle, Mr.
Thomas Haley, Mr. Robert Dyke, Mr, Jay R. Mason. Died from
wounds: Mrs. P. M. Alexander, Mrs. William Vann, Mrs. Charles
March, Mrs. W. Wilcox, Mr. Seth H. Whitmore.

In the fall of 1873 the Howe truss wooden bridge was built by
the American Bridge Company, at a cost of $18,000 ; it was iinished
November 18. This bridge is still standing; and although the water
has been two feet higher this spring (1881) than ever known before,
the bridge remains unharmed.

THE CITY CHURCHES.

The intelligence and morals of a city or community will be ex-
pressed in its schools and churches. The former indicates the educa-
tional tendencies, and the latter the religious advantages of the com-
munity. The life of Dixon has been ever associated with both the
educational and the religious, even when there were no school or church
buildings the literary and religious education of the young was not
neglected ; but in the cabin homes and around the homely hearth-stone
began the first teaching of the intellect and heart. The fruits of this
early education are now being gathered by the descendants of those
noble men and women of primitive days. It was written of Dixon in
1815 that the village had reached a population of 400, and had four
religious denominations, — Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian, and Con-
gregational— a select and district school.

A Unitarian church was organized in 1850, but little, however, had
been done to prosper the society until 1855, when Hon. J. Y. Eustace,
Dr. O. Everett, G. L. Herrick, and others, with the aid of Rev. Mr.
Kelsey as pastor, selected a beautifully designed frame building on the
north side, where services were held for a few 3'ears, when the organ-
ization disbanded and the property was sold.

In 1851 a Congregational church was organized with nine members :
Revs. S. D. Peet, D. Temple, and H. Hesley successively served as
ministers; B. D. Gay, S. K. Upham, and B. Gellman as deacons. 'The
organization disbanded in 1858, the most of the members connecting
with the First Presbj'terian church.

Tlit 2IetJiodist Episcopal Church of Dlron. — This society was the
first religious organization in the bounds of Lee county, bearing date
1837. The class was organized by Rev. Mr. McKean, who received as
original members of the class S. M. Bowman and Mrs. E. A. Bowman,
John Richards and Ann Richards, Caleb Tall mage and Amanda Tall-
mage, and Maria McClure. The society worshiped in a room over

THE CITY CHURCHES. 129

Messrs. Boardinan & Boweii's store. In 1839 the class had an addi-
tion to the original nienibers: T. D. Bonrdraan, Mr. and Mrs. Perry,
and Mr. and Mrs. 0..F. Ajres. At this time services were held in the
school-house. The first house of worship was erected in 1843, and
dedicated by Rev. John T. Mitchel. This was a brick structure cost-
ing $4,000, and was focated on Second street near Ottawa. Tlie board
of trustees consisted of Jas. T. Dixon, C. Edson, O. F. Ayres, W. G.
Winkoop, Thomas McCabe, J. Brierton, and S. M. Bowman.

The first parsonage was built in 1851, 24x30 feet, at the expense
of over $800. This house stood on Third street near where the Illinois
Central depot stands. This property was sold, and a lot procured
on which the present church and parsonage buildings stand. During
the conference year of 1854-5 the present church edifice was built on
Peoria street. It was improved in 1870 and 1871, and again in 1876,
at a cost of $2,700. The original cost of the church was $15,000. It
was not entirely finished until 1857, when it was dedicated by Bishop
Bowman. The pastors since the organization of the class are as fol-
lows: Robert Dulap and Barton Cartwright came here as circuit
preachers in the fall of 1837 ; they were followed by Isaac Pool and
Riley Hill ; Luke Hitchcock came in 1839, Richard Blanchard in Au-
gust 1840, Philo Judson in fall of 1841. August 3, 1842, Inlet Grove,
Palestine Grove, and Melugin's Grove were added to Dixon circuit,
which already embraced Washington Grove, Light House Point, Jef-
ferson Grove, Daysville, and Paine's Point; Philo Judson and W. H.
Cooley were appointed circuit preachers. W.Wilcox was appointed to
Dixon in August 1843, David Brooks in July 1844, S. P. Keys in Au-
gust 1845, Milton Haney and R. W. H. Brent came to this charge in
August 1846, R. P. Lawton came in 1847, Wm. Palmer in fall of 1848,
Thomas North in July 1850, James Baume came in September 1852,
J. W. Agard in 1854, Wilbur McKaig in September 1855, N. P. Heath
in 1857, L. A. Sanford in August 1858, S. G. Lathrop in 1859, O. B.
Thayer in September 1862, W. H. Smith in March 1864, G. L. S. Stuff
came in October 1864, T. C. Clendenning in October 1865, George E.
Strobridge in October 1867, J. H. Brown in October 1869, John Will-
iamson in 1871, Isaac Linebarger in October 1874, G. R. Van home
in October 1876, A. W. Patton in October 1879, and Rev. Mr. Cleve-
land in October 1880.

The Presbyterian Chureh. — The First Presbyterian Society in
Dixon was organized January 29, 1853, George Sharer and James
Means being chosen deacons. Having no house of worship, they met
in the stone school-house. The original members were George
Sharer, Nancy Sharer, James Means, John Beatty, Nancy Beatty,
Mary Richardson, Robert McBride, Mrs. Jane Smith, and Mrs. Jane

18(» HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Little. In 1855 Rev. W. W. Harsha assumed charge of the chnrch,
and in the same year (June 1855) the chnrcli was organized nnder the
general laws of the state for the purpose of building a house of wor-
ship, and the following persons were chosen trustees : James L. Camp,
Isaac Means, Samuel Crawford, S. Russell, and S. C. Warden. Their
house was erected on Third street and dedicated on February 17, 1856,
by Rev. Mr. Harsha, their pastor. This building stood adjoining the
place of the present house, and was a small brick building, 28x42
feet. This house proving in time to be inadequate to the demand of
the congregation, additional ground was secured and the present struc-
ture was erected in 1866, at a cost of about $15,000. It was dedicated
on October 28, 1866. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev.
W. W. Harsha, who was their first pastor, and dedicated the first
church edifice. The building is constructed of dressed limestone and
is 41x72 feet. The building is surmounted by a tower 130 feet
high, which incloses a fine bell weighing over two thousand pounds.
There are connected with this church about two hundred members.
Rev. E. C. Sickles has been pastor of the congregation for the past
eighteen years.

The present church edifices in the city are handsome, substantial
buildings, constructed and furnished according to modern tastes, and
present a pleasing and inviting appearance. All the present church
structures in use, except one, w-ere built within the past fourteen years.
These buildings are all conveniently large for the wants of this place,
and have a total seating capacity of over 3,000, but upon special occa-
sions can be made to accommodate a much greater number. The church
property of our city represents a total value of over $140,000.

Xeiv Evangelical Lutheran Church. — This christian denomituition
was first represented in Lee county by " The First Evangelical Luthe-
ran congregation of Lee county," which was organized under the
official and ministerial supervision of the Rev. Jacob Burket. on
August 20, 1848, in the barn of J. N. Burket, south Dixon. The
following persons were constituted members of the society : John
N. Burket and Mary Burket, John Mayer and Elizabeth Mayer,
Nathan Hetter and Catherine Hetter, Phillip Mower and Mary
Mower. Jacob Shoop and Catherine Shoop. Catherine Grow, Nancy
Smice, Lydia Courtright, Catherine Palmer. Magdalene Clinetob,
and Mary A. M. Burket.

Jacob Burket sustained the relation of pastor for two years, his
service closing August 1850. He was succeeded by Ephraim Miller,
who took charge of the congregation in May 1851, and remained with
them until May 1852. He was follows I successively by Charles
Young and William Uhl.

THE CITY CHURCHES. 181

On ISTovember 12, 1853, the congregation changed tlie name of
the society to the Apostolic name of " St. Paul's Evangelical Lu-
theran church," and incorporated by filing a certificate of corpora-
tion in the county recorder's office. After this change the congre-
gation was served as pastor b}^ D. Harbaugh until the division of
the congregation as given below.

In December, 1856, the societj' was divided by the German por-
tion of the congregation withdrawing and org.inizing an independent
congregation. After completing their organization they called to
the pastorate Rev. Cliarles Young. During the time of their sepa-
ration the English church was served by Revs. J. L. Guard, J. R.
Keiser, and A. A. Trimper. During the pastoral services of the
latter gentleman the societies were reunited prior to the spring of
1870, from which time the pastors have been Revs. N. W. Lilly,
S. S. \Valtz, and L. L. Lipe, the present pastor.

After the reorganization of the church by Rev. William Uhl, John
N. Biirket aiid John Moyer were chosen elders, and John Beal and
Henry Burket, deacons. In November of the same year an organ-
ization was effected for the purpose of erecting a house of worship,
J. N. Burket, Henry T. Burket, Jonathan De Puv and John Beal
were chosen trustees. The house, erected the following year, was
located in the southeasterly part of the city, but it was found inade-
quate to the increasing congregation, and the site unsatisfactory, and
was abandoned for a more commodious one on Second street in 1869.
On February 14 it was dedicated, the dedicatory sermon being
preached by Rev. G. A. Bowers. The building is a neat brick struc-
ture, 42x80 feet, two stories high, costing $15,500.

The society has a handsome parsonage on the lot adjoining the
church which was erected during the summer of 1876.

The church was dedicated on July 28, 1872 ; the morning ser-
mon was delivered by Rev. Mr. Ravlin, and in the evening by Rev.
J. A. Smith, D.D. The auditorium will comfortably seat 500 peo-
ple. The Sabbath-school room occupies nearly the entire basement
story. On June 23, 1878, the society celebrated their fortieth anni-
versary, in the church.

The pastors since the organization are B. B. Carpenter fi'om June
1840 to October 1844; Burton Carpenter from December 1844 to
March 1845 ; Wm. Gates occupied the pulpit occasionally and Wm.
Walker about four months between March 1844 and April 1847, when
E. T. Manning became pastor for one year ; S. S. Martin became
pastor in 1849 for one year ; G. W. Benton supplied the pulpit for
about six months between Martin's pastorate and August 1851. when

132 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

John E. Ball became p istoi- for about four years ; Anson Tucker took
charge in May 1855, served eleven months ; W. E.. Webb became
pastor m June 185(>, served over four years ; AVni. G. Pratt became
pastor in March 1861, for (^ne year ; W. S. Goodno in September
1862, served two years ; J. H. Pratt became pastor in October 1864,
served over nine years ; I). F. Garnahan became pastor in August
1874; O. P. Bestor, took charge in August 1877. Rev. L. L. Lipe
is present pastor.

TheFird Baptist Church of Dixon. — This church was organized
under the auspices nf Mrs. John Dixon and her sister, Mrs. Kellogg,
at Buffalo Grove, on May 28, 1838, there being present all the mem-
bers of the denomination in the vicinity ol Dixfju and Buffalo Grove.
Bev. Thomas Powel acted as moderator. The follo\ving persons be-
came the original niembei-s of this society : Mr. H. II. Bicknell, Re-
becca Dixon, Elizabeth Bellows, Jerusha Hammond, Sarah Kellogg,
Martha Parks, and Ann Clarly. At the close of four years there were
seventy names on the church roll of membership. All t e original
members but Mrs. Hiram Parks have passed away. An organiza-
tion was effected under the state laws for the purpose of building a
house of worship, February 22, 1842, un ler the name of "The Dixou
congregation." Smith Gilbraith, J. T. Little, J. B. Nash, Stephen
Fuller and Elijah Dixcni were elected trustees. Under this organi-
zation a lot was secured on Ottawa street, and a brick editice was
erected in the following year (1843) ; elder Jacob Knopp, of Rockford,
officiated at the dedicatory services. Subsequently the property was
disposed of, and in 1869 a more imposing building was erected on
Second street, the corner-stone being laid on October 1 of the
same year. It is a comodious brick editice, 90x45 feet, and was
built at a cost of if>15,0<»0. Rev. Mr. Bestor is present pastor.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church. — This church was organized in the
summer of 1837, under the labors of Rev. James De Buy, by the
election of wardens and vestrymen. After this faithful minister was
removed from the congregation the work of the church was sus-
pended, and all the church records up to 1855 were lost. On March
19, 1855, a meeting of the vestry met at the office of Messrs. Robert-
son, Eastman & Co., Rev. Mr. Bently being present. At this meet-
ing Addison Rice, S. C. Eells, A. McKay and H. Hine were chosen
vestrymen, and Geo. C. Chapmon and J. K. Edsal were chosen war-
dens. A building was erected on Peoria street, since changed into
a dwelling which stands now directly north of the present church.
In 1871, an enlarged area of ground was purchased on the corner of
Peoria and Third streets, on which the present beautiful stone edi-
fice was erected in the same year.

';k*i?K;>

^^-^iX

THE CITY CHURCHES. 135

Sept. 7, 1871, the corner-stone of St. Luke's church was laid by
Rev. John Wilkinson, who was rector of this parish from 1858 to
1860. The church was opened for services September 15, 1872.

Rev. Mr. Bentley was the first rector of the parish after this
reorganization, and he was succeeded by C. J. Todd in August ot 1856,
and he by J. G. Downing in May 1857; Rev. T. Wilkinson was rec-
tor from August 1858 to August 1859 ; Rev. A. J. Warner became
rector in January 1861, and was succeeded by G. C. Street in April
18''''2, and Jas. W. Coe in May 1863, who continued in charge until
July 1865 ; Rev. H. H. De Garmon was rector from March to Sep-
tember 1866 ; D. W. Dresser from November 1866 to jS^ovember
1867 ; H. W. Williams from March 1868 to June 1871 ; M. Byllesby
from November 1871 to April 1873 ; Samuel Edson from May 1873
to October 1875 ; Joseph Cross from December 1875 to October 1876 ;
W. Henry Jones from November 1876 until his death, April 26, 1878.
Rev. W. W. Steel, came in September 1878. Rev. J. Wilkinson, at
this writing (1881), is serving the church temporarily.

The Universalist Church. — This society was organized in 1870.
This was anticipated by a Universalist centenary held in the Methodist
Episcopal church, when measures were initiated that resulted in the
above organization, and the establishment of the Universalist church
in Dixon. The following gentlemen were elected trustees for the so-
ciety in view of the building of a church edifice : Edward Sterling,
L. A. Sutton, A. Hubbard, William Parker, and L. Sherman.

The society held services in Union hall for awhile, and from
there they went to Tillson's hall on Galena street, which they used
until their house of worship was erected. To accomplish this a
building committee was elected, consisting of G. L. Herrick, W. A.
Judd, S. Merriman and C. F. Emerson. A building was erected,
40 X 80 feet, on the corner of Second and Hennepin streets, and was
dedicated by Rev. J. E. Forrester, D.D., August 7, 1873. Rev. H.
Y. Chase was the first pastor, and remained with the society five
years. He was succeeded in December, 1876, by Rev. D. F. Rogers,
who served as pastor for one year, and about the beginning of 1877
Mr. Chase was again called to the pastorate of the church.

The Catholic Church of Dixon. — This church was established
under Rev. Father Fitzgerald in 1854, in which year he erected their
first house of worship and a parsonage, on Fifth street. In 1873 this
house was abandoned as a house of worship, for a new and very im-
posing one on the corner of Market and Seventh streets. This was
done under the general management of Rev. Father McDermott.
The old building has been appropriated to denominational school
9

136 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

purposes, under the control of the Sisters of Charity. The church
building is the largest in the citv, having a seating capacity of 600.
The church, including altar furniture, etc., cost about $30,000. The
bell on the church has a weight of 2500 pounds, and was purchased
at a cost of $900. There are 200 families connected with the con-
gregation of this church. Rev. Father Hodnett is pastor.

Oakwood Cemetery^ containing ten acres, is situated immediately
east of the city. Its site is a very beautiful one, overlooking the
magnificent valley of Rock river for miles in either direction. It is
high and rolling ground, interspread with a natural growth of trees
and shrubs, making its landscape beauty unsurpassed for a "city of
the dead." A part of this cemetery was dedicated for cemetery pur-
poses by the Hon. John Dixon, on the original plat of the city, and
the remainder was purchased and laid out by the city. It is under
control of the city council. The rapid growth of Dixon will soon
render it necessary to enlarge it or to seek out an additional site for
cemetery purposes.

CIVIC SOCIETIES.

Of these Dixon has twelve organizations, a fact indicative of the
social and benevolent nature of her people. With the exception of
one, these are all secret societies, the aggregate membership of
which is over 500. Most of them are beneficial in their character,
and one has a life insurance connected with its organization. Thus
proxision is made for the afflicted during life and their survivois after
death.

Below we give the names and dates of organization of the differ-
ent lodges and societies, together with the principal officers :

Masonic. — Friendship Lodge, No. 7. Organized under dispensa-
tion from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky on l^ovember 6, 1840 ; ob-
tained charter from the Grand Lodge of Illinois October 6, 1841.
Officers: J. V. Thomas, W.M.; E. W. Smith, S.W.; G. D. Laing,
J.W., W. A. Sussmillch, Sec; Theodore Moeller, Treas.

JSTachusa Chapter, No. 56. Organized under dispensation July
29, 1859 ; received charter September 30, 1859. Officers : J. B.
Pomeroy, H.P.; S. S. Dodge, King; J. W. Latta, Scribe; D. B.
-McKenney, Treas.; C. G. Smith, Sec.

Dixon Council, No. 7. Organized under dispensation December
1, 1863. Officers : C. S. Brown, Thrice Illus. G.M.; J. B. Pomeroy,
Sec.

Dixon Commandery, No. 21, K.T. Organized under dispensa-
tion June 16, 1866 ; obtained charter October 23, 1866. Officers :
J. B. Pomeroy, E.C. ; S. S. Dodge, G. ; John D. Crabtree, C.G. :
James A. Hawley, Treas. ; C. W. Latimer, Rec.

CIVIC SOCIETIES. 137

Odd-JFellows. — Dixon Lodge, No. 39. Organized under dispen-
sation May 28, 1848. Officers : Orvill Anderson, JST.S. ; Edmund
Camp, y.G. ; M. C. Wejburn, Sec. ; H. P. Wickes, E.S. ; Francis
Forsyth, Treas.

Nacliusa Encampment, No. 115. Organized under dispe.isation
March 9, 1871 ; obtained charter October 10, 1871. Officers : M.

C. Weyburn, C.P. ; C. ^N . Dey, H.P. ; F. Hegert, J.W. ; F. P.
Beck, Scribe ; C. F. Emerson, Treas. ; R. Rierson, J.W.

Pucker Lodge, No. 493 (German). Organized August 7, 1872.
Officers: A. Reseck, N.G.; L. Faulkaber, V.G. ; A. Levi, R.S. ; C.
Gonnerraan, Treas.

Temperance Societies. — Father Matliew's Total Abstinence and
Benevolent Society. Organized February 4, 1870. Officers: James
Rice, Pres. ; John Hennessey, V.-Pres. ; Dennis Denny, Rec. Sec;
Patrick McDonald, Treas. ; C. J. Turney, Marshal.

Dixon Division, No. 11, S. of T. Organized November 11, 1875.
Officers: B. F. Stewart, W.P. ; J. W. Clute, Treas.; L. Hess, R.S.

Forest Home Lodge, No. 137, A.O.U.W. Organized January
29, 1879. Officers: H. P. Wickes, M.W. ; W. J. Daley, P.M.W. ;
H. Christman, Foreman ; Eugene Pinckney, Overseer; G. A. Mead,
Rec. ; L. D. Pitcher, Financier.

Henderson Encampment, No. 27, O.C.D. O. J. Downing, Com.;
W. J. Johnson, Lieut. Com.; Henrv Barnes, Adj^t ; J. N.Hyde,
Q.-M.

Dixon Boat Club was organized May 22, 1878. Officers : E. C.
Parsons, Pres.; F. K. Orvis, Y.-Pres. ; W. M. Kennedy, Sec; Geo.

D. Laing, Treas.; C. E. Chandler, Capt.

July 6, 1875, the " Woman's Christian Temperance Union " was
organized in the basement of the Methodist church, through the ef-
forts of Miss Frances Willard, of Chicago. The Union consisted of
thirty members. Officers elected were President, Mrs. S. H. Manny;
Yice-Presidents, Mrs. D. F. Carnahan, Mrs. Linebarger, Mrs. Ed-
son, Mrs. Chase, Mrs. E. C. Sickles ; Recording Secretary, Miss
Lila Fargo; Corresponding Secretary, Miss E. W. Alexander;
Treasurer, Miss Nellie Holt.

July 16, 1853, a division of the Sons of Temperance was insti-
tuted under the name of Lee county Division, No. 376, and the
following named gentlemen elected officers: L. Wood, P.W.P. ; W.
H. Andrews, W.P.; J. Kerr, W.A.; J. W. Clute, F.S.; W. H. H.
Crow, R.S.; A. T. Murphy, T>; IJ. O. Kelsey, C. ; H. Brookner,
A. C. About a month later the paper, in speaking of this society,
says that it is "increasing verj' rapidly, already numbering some
fifty members."

138 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Marcl-1 23, 1866, a Lodge of Good Templars, No. 756, was or-
ganized in Dixon. The Lodge surrendered its charter in the spring
of 186S, and the active members united with the Sons of Temper-
ance.

October 27, 1870, Rebecca Lodge, No. 30, was organized, with
the following charter members : A. Piatt, G. L. Herrick, H. K.
Strong, Frances Forsyth, Constaiitine Wild, Phebe Pratt, Julia Her-
rick, Mary A. Strong, Lucy A. Forsyth, and Barbara "Wild.

Dixon Grown Temple, I^o. "25, U. O. A. T. — This lodge was
organized August 30, 1880, by N. P. Barry, in the Universalist
church.

The following persons were the charter members, to wit : Ben-
jamin F. Stewart, Geo. IST. Barnes, William Chiverton, John Oconon,
John Moseley, Austin Morse, B. B. Higgins, Clayton Brown, Jessey
Hettler, John Hettler, E. H. Groh, John A. Stumpp, L. H. Burd,
Sherwood Dixon, Dr. Henry Brooks, Miss Malissa Barnes, Miss
Mary Brown, Miss Blanch Talcott, Mrs. G. G. Stewart, Mrs. Mary
Hettler, and Miss Mary Lynch.

Present board of officers : Geo. W. Barnes, Templar ; Austin
Morse, Past Templar ; Mrs. G. G. Stewart, Vice-Templar ; Miss
Malissa Barnes, Lecturer; Benjamin F. Stewart, Recorder; J. F.
Morseley, Financier ; Jessey Hettler, Treasurer ; E. H. Groli, Mar-
shall ; Wm Chiverton, Guard ; Blanch Talcott, Watch.

This organization has associated with it a moi'tuary department,
which provide- a beneficiary fund, to be distributed, in case of the
death of a member of the department, to such parties as provided
for in the mortuary certificate.

This is the only temperance organization in the country with
which a beneficiary department is associated. The influences and
advantages of this provision are quite apparent in the prosperity
of the order in local organizations, as well as the general interest
felt throughout the countrj^ in the welfare of the new order. In
cases of need, benefits are distributed to sick or disabled members,
as may be ordered by the Temple, of which such person or persons
are members.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Is entirely volunteer, and consis's of a hose company of sixty-five
men, and a hook and ladder company of twenty-six men. These
companies were both organized in January, 1870 ; up to that time our
city was without any organized force for fire protection. In 1869 the
Water Power Company had put in a rotarj^ pump of a rated capacity
of 1200 gallons per minute — about double the capacity of a first-class
steam fire engine. This pump, together with 600 feet of hose, was

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 139

originally intended for the use of the manufacturing establishments
at the water-power, but when the fire companies were organized the
city assumed charge of the pump and bought 1000 feet of additional
hose, and one hose reel, hook and ladder truck, and other necessary
fire apparatus. The fire hall was built in 1871 ; the upper story is
divided into two meeting rooms, one for each company, and the
lower story is used for apparatus. In the winter of 1871-2, water
mains were laid from the pump to the corner of Main and Galena
streets, and afterward to the corner of Hennepin and Second streets.
In 1876 the city put in a piston pump with a capacity of 1600 gallons
per minute, but owing to the small mains cannot be worked to its
full capacity. The city has expended for apparatus and property for
the fire department since its organization over $13,500. The de-
partment had at the beginning of this year three hose carts, twenty-
one hundred feet of hose, and two hook and ladder trucks, but
nearly a thousand feet of hose was destroyed at the recent disastrous
fire. Too much cannot be said in praise of our firemen for the
prompt manner in which they have ever responded to the alarm of
fire, and the herculean efforts made to save the property of their
fellow citizens. Another item that should not be overlooked in this
connection is the fleetness and efficiency that our firemen have ac-
quired by earnest practice, wherein the Dixon Hose Company has
become famous, they having at two state tournaments secured the
Champion's belt over many competitors.

Recent experience has made it apparent to all that our city needs
better and more serviceable means for fire protection. Present indi-
cations are that this desired object will soon be accomplished, as
practical movements are now being made to accomplish that desir-
able end.

With admirable perseverance the Dixon Hose Company have se-
cured a fine library of nearly one thousand volumes, many of which
were kindly donated by friends of the company. Citizens not mem-
bers of the company become entitled to the privileges of the library
by donating $1, or a book worth $1.50, subject to the approval
of the company, and the payment of 50 cents yearly dues. A few
weeks ago the Monitor Hook and Ladder Company commenced a
library in their meeting-room, which already numbers over 100
volumes.

Mr. E. S. Farrand is the present fire marshal ; J. W. Latta, assist-
ant. Offic. rs of the Hose company are C. C. Atkins, foreman ; F.
J. Finkler, first assistant ; William Rock, second assistant ; ]^athan
McKenney, secretary ; Charles Weisz, treasurer. Officers of the
hook and ladder company : Chas. Ramsey, foreman ; Corydon

140 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Cropsej, first assistant ; U. R. Friesenberg, second assistant; J. A.
Stunipf, secretary ; (1. W. Taylor, treasurer.

DISASTERS.

It would be a plea-ure we have never experienced as yet to be
able to write the history of a coniniunity or city that has had unin-
terrupted prosperity ; to be favored with the good without an admix-
ture of evil. Dixon is not an exception to the common experience
of humanity in advei'sity as well as in prosperity; and however
unpleasant thu task may be, we are compelled to turn aside from the
reflection (^f Dixon's prosperity and enterprise to chronicle her mis-
fortunes and losses. The most common destruction to property
resulted from

The Fire Records. — The first conflagration of especial note was
on August 2, 1856, when the stable belonging to the Mansion Houte
property burned down. It whs believed to be the work of an incen-
diary, which consumed the building with eleven horses, a peddler's
wagon, etc.; the loss being about $5,000. On Sunday, April 25.
1858, the jewelry store of S. A. B.nicroft, in A. T. Murphy's^ build-
ing- on Main street, was burned with all goods not in the safe.

In the following year, October 14, 1859, the city was visited b}^ a
fearful holocaust that consumed the property of more than twenty
business men. Seventeen buildings were burned, extending for
more than half a block on both sides of Main street, extending west
from the corner of Hennepin street. Among the buildings burned
was the old original scho(jl-liouse, which had been removed from
the original lot where D. W. McKenney's residence now stands,
several years previous, and was then occupied as a store-rooni.
The fire resulted from an unknown incendiary, and resulted in over
$30,000 loss, with an insurance of but little over $10,000. During
the same year a dwelling house, owned by B. E. Deyo, was burneJ,
with a loss of $1,500, with no insurance.

On January 29, I860, the machine shop, owned by Col. John
Dement, was burned out, resulting in a loss of $25,000, and no
insurance. This damage was repaired in two months' time, the
building being lowered one story because of damages done by the
fire. This was followed in the same year by the burning of a car-
penter shop, with four chests of tools, owned by Messrs. Herrick &
Gordon ; damage, $350. And on October 3, in the following year,
the dwelling house of II. Logan was burned by lightning ; loss,
$600. In less than fourteen months the inhabitants of the quiet
town were called from their slumbers at two o'clock in the morning
to resist the fiery fiend, then leaping from the boot and shoe store

DISASTERS, 141

belonging to Mr. Sprauge. From this it swept through E. Giles'
shoe house, a small building, and the stone building on the corner
of Main and Galena streets, occupied by Mr. Roberts as a hat store.
Mr. E. W. nine's dwelling was saved only by the utmost exertions
of the citizens. The stone building was owned by Champ Fuller,
on which there was no insurance ; the building occupied by Mr.
Sprauge was owned by J. B. Charters, and was insured for $400.
The entire loss reached about $5,500. In April of the following
year the Union Block was lowered one story, the walls being unsafe
lor large assemblies after the fire of 1860.

On February 8, 1865, a dwelling house in Dement Town, owned
by Col. J. Dement, was burned down about three o'clock in the
morning. The building was occupied by a Mr. Peifer, who, in his
efforts to save some valuables, lo?t his life by burning with the
building. On June 2, 1S66, the paint shop of W. J. Daley, on
Hennepin street, was burned, at a loss of $500.

N^ear five years passed without loss, but on March 3, 1871, a fire
broke out in a building on the north side of Peoria street, occupied
by Mr. Schuchart and family as dwelling and saloon. The build
ing, with three other frame buildings on the west, a barn in the
rear, belonging to Drs. Wyn and Paine, and F. C. McKenny's
livery stable on the east, were all consumed. The estimated loss
was $4,000. On ]N"ovember 30, same year, the St. James Hotel
burned. Insurance, $22,500.

In the spring of 1873 (March 12) the knitting-mills were destroyed
by fire, with the roof of the flax factory, with damage to machinery.
The loss on the knitting-mills was estimated at $20,000, and on the
flax-mills $5,000, making a total of $25,000. In the following
month (April 22, 1873) E. B. Stiles' dwelling on Main street, west
of the arch, was damaged by fire to the extent of $200.

On February 19, 1875, a dwelling house belonging to Henry
Brener, in the south part of the tirst ward, was burned down;
damage was not stated. On December 4 of this year a fire broke
out in the upper story of Becker & Underwood's flouring-mills.
The elevators at the top of the mill and much of the machinery were
destroyed. Most of the machinery was damaged by flre, or water
thrown by the fire department, which did valuable service in arrest-
ing the conflagration. The property was insured for $32,700, and
the amount awarded for damages on property was $13,130. Messrs.
Bennett, Thompson & Funk had large quantities of grain damaged
by the water.

There was one fire, on April 10, 1876, which entirely destroyed
the residence of Moses Jerome, in Dement Town, Loss not given.

142 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

In the following year (1877) John McElroj's house, in the same
town, was destroyed by tire, at a loss of $500 to the owner.

On February 6, 1878, a fire destroyed a business house on Main
street owned by W. H. Yan Epps, and occupied I. T. Van Ness,
druggist, and Will. Sussmilcli, jeweler. The loss on the building
was about $500; no insurance. There was $3,500 insurance on the
stock of drugs. Mr. Sussmilcli lost about $500 on fixtures, etc.;
fully insui-ed. F. Hegert's drug store, next door east, was consid-
erably damaged by removal of goods, and by water.

On March 23, 1879, J. C. Mead's book-store caught fire about
three o'clock a.m. Tlie flames were extinguished after the upper
story and roof were destroyed; goods were removed without much
damage. The loss was about $300; fully covered by insurance.

The year 1880 opened the fire record on January 13, when the
home of Theodore Moeller was damaged to the amount of $100.
On the 8th of the following April, of the same year, the most
disastrous fire that visited the city of Dixon broke out at the water-
power about half-past one in the morning, and in one hour the large
stone building owned by Caleb Clapp and Col. John Dement, occu-
pied by H. D. Dement and S. C. Fell's flax-mill, and Thomas Bald-
win's grist-mill, W. P. Thompson's and Becker tV: Underwood's
flouring-mills, were a mass of ruins. The water-wheels and the
pump house were also destroyed, thus cutting short the water
supply ; the foundry of Brown &" Edwards on the opposite side
of the street was badly burned, and the plow works of C. H.
Curtis caught fire several times. The Amboy fire company was
telegraphed to for help, and the timely arrival of the company with
their steamer probably saved the property on the south side of the
street.

When the fire reached Becker c^^ Fnderwood's mill there was a
terrific explosion; fifteen or twenty firemen were working in and
around the mill at the time; two of the number were instantly
killed and ten others badly burned and injured. The killed were
Ezra Becker and William Schum. Wounded : Cyrus Lint, Wm.
Rink, jr., Orvil Anderson, Peter Pamsey, William Vann, Patrick
Duflfy, Lee Stevens, Frank Gcetzenberger, Joe Hayden, and Joe
Be 111 and.

The losses and insurance on buildings and machinery were as
follows: Becker & Underwood, $100,000; insurance, $33,900 on
machinery, and $5,000 on stock. W. P. Thompson, $35,000; insur-
ance on machinery $17,000, and $5,000 on stock. Antone Julien
carried $5,500 on one fourth undivided interest in this mill. Col.
John Dement from $20,000 to $25,000 on water-wheels, buildings

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. 143

occupied by Dement & Eells, foundry, and Curtis' plow works; no
insurance. H. D. Dement & S. C. Eells, from $12,000 to $15,000
on flax-mill machinery, stock, etc, ; no insurance. Caleb Clapp,
$15,000; insurance $6,000. Thomas Baldwin, $3,500 on grist-mill
machinery and stock; no insurance. Total loss from $190,000 to
$198,000; insurance $66,900.

The record begins August 2, lb56, and closes with the great fire
of April 8, 1880, a period of twenty-four years ; during which time
there have occurred twenty-six fires resulting in damages amounting
to $302,000, and casualties, three deaths and ten wounded.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.

Dixon jPIow Works.— These works were established in October,
1856, by Col. John Dement on the site now occupied by Yann &
Means, caniage makers. The business was there carried on for
several years and was then moved to its present location at the
water power. The whole business was, at that time, done in the
building afterwaid used a- a blacksmith shop. From a small
beginning the establishment grew in capacit}^ and reputation, and
obtained its highest importance under Col. Dement's management,
in 1863 and 1864, when his plows took the first premium at the field
trial of the State Agricultural Society, over all competitors, and he
was awarded gold and silver medals ; from which fact, until the re-
tirement of Col. Dement from the business, the plows were known
as "The Gold Medal." At this time began the wonderful series of
improvements which in a few years changed the soft, rough German
steel plow, then in general use, into the hardened, highly finished
patent-steel implement of to-day. Except in modes of manufacture
and improved material there has been but little change in the Dixon
plow. The short, deep, round-topped mould-board then in use, now
remains. At that time it was unique, peculiar to Col. Dement's
"Shaghai" and the modified "Shanghai," or "Gold Medal."
The real value of this pattern is strongly attested by the fact that
its principal features are now used by every prominent manufacturer
of plows in the northwest. In 1867 the business \\ as transferred
to W. M. Todd & H. D. Dement, who conducted it for two years,
selling nearly their entire produce to F. K. Orvis & Co., then a firm
in the agricultural implement trade in Chicago. In 1869 the whole
business was sold to Messrs. Orvis & Co., who continued the manu-
facture of the various lines of goods, and added others from time to
time, building up a large trade, extending over the entire northwest.
They were succeeded by the Orvis Manufacturing Company, organ-
ized under the general laws of the state, Ma}^ 12, 1877, which com-

144 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

pany, after two years and a half of largely increased trade, sold out
to Charles II. Curtis, of Chicago ithe president of the company and
largest stockholder ^ on jSToveniber 12, 1879. Mr. Curtis has been
identified with large manufacturing interests in this state for nearly
forty years, and with his usual energy has pushed the business to its
utmost, adding new articles, such as seeders, drills, sulky plows,
etc., all of which uphold the standard of excellence so long deserv-
ingly maintained by the Dixon Plow Works.

The works in 1880 occupied the greater portion of a magnificent
factory building, erected by Col. John Dement in 1869. This build-
ing is solidly built of stone, and is four stories high on the front,
measuring on the ground plan 86x142 feet It is interesting to the
older inhabitants of the county, who saw the beginning of this enter-
prise, to go through the works and notice the wonderful changes
which a few years have made in the methods of manufacture and
their products. In the beginning a few small rooms furnished
ample space to carry on the different branches of work, which were
mainly done by hand. Afterward each department became a com-
plete establishment by itself, doing all the work by machinery, and
turning out the parts assigned to it by the thousands, each piece
being an exact duplicate of others of the same class. On the 8th of
April, 1880, the works were damaged by fire, and business has not
since been resumed.

Grand Detour Plow Works. — This well-known estaldishment was
founded in 1837 at Grand Detour, by John Deere, now of Moline,
Illinois, and Major Andrus, now deceased. They started what was
styled a plow factory in a little blacksmith shop (such as may be seen
at a country cross-road), and two forges were sufficient to meet their
wants for some two years, when they became able to run an oi'dinary
horse-power, for the purpose of turning the grindstone and fanning
the furnace fire. The building in which these labor-saving arrange-
ments were located stood some forty rods from the ''factory"
proper, and every plow ground and casting moulded had to be car-
ried one way or the other, in the hand or on the shoulder, and the
sight of the two proprietors lugging their work back and forth is
called up with interest, in view of the great prosperity which each of
them, by means of the same hard work and close management,
ultimately attained. In this manner, and under these disadvantages,
the business went on for about six years, when such success had
attended the enterprise that they were enabled to put in steam.
From this time forward they continued adding machinery and im-
provements, and their progress was uninterrupted. However, there
were no means of sending their plows through the country except

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS, 145

Idj wagons, and few markets except the farm in even the best agri-
cultui-al sections. Teams were loaded and sent througliout the
country, and substantial farmers were supplied with plows, which
they sold through the community, reserving a handsome commission
for their service-.

In 1848 Mr. Deere witlidrew from the firm, which had experi-
enced several changes, at one time presenting the array of Andrus,
Deere, Tate & Gould, and started a plow factory at Moline, which
grew and prospered from the first, and might with reason be termed
a child of the Grand Detour Works. The business was run by Mr.
Andrus alone, who was then joined by Col. Amos Bosworth, who,
in our late w^ar, was known as lieutenant-colonel of the 34th Illinois,
and died in the service in March 1862.

In October, 1857, the factory, which had been steadily growing
and extending its limits, was burnt down, and upon the same site
and remnants of the walls a new factory was erected. In August,
1863, Tlieron Cumins, Esq., senior member of the present firm,
became one of the proprietors, which took the name of Andrus &
Cumins. Under their administration the business was carried on
until February 1867, when Mr. Andrus died. Few men pass away
more deeply and sincerely lamented than was Mr. Andrus. Upon
his death the business passed into Mr. Cumins' hands, and was by
him conducted until June 1869, when Col. H. T. J^oble, of Dixon,
became interested therein, the name of the iirm being T. Cumins
, & Co.

In 1869 the works were moved to their present location at Dixon.
In June, 1874, Mr. Dodge, for several years a merchant here, became
interested therein, and the business was then conducted under the
firm name of Cumins, Xoble & Dodge. In June, 1879, the business
was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, the title
being "Grand Detour Plow Company." Theron Cumins, Henry
T. IN'oble, Orris B. Dodge and Charles H. JN^oble being the incorpo-
rators. The plow works, which in the first years only turned out
from seventy-five to a hundred plows per year, are now producing
many thousands, and scattering them by means of the steam horse
over the limitless West. The works are located on a spacious trian-
gular piece of land, between the depots of the Chicago & jN'orth-
western and Illinois Central railroads, with switches from both roads
running to the shops and warehouses. The factory has a frontage
on the north of 206 feet, and to the west of 164 feet. The forging
room is 116 x 50 feet ; the grinding room, 44 X 50 feet ; the machine
room, 30 X 70 feet ; the wood room, 150 X 50 feet ; the foundry,
60 X 40 feet ; and paint room on the second floor, 150 x 50 feet ;

146 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

with a warelioiise for storing purposes, 120 x 50 feet, two stories
liigh. The workmen connected with the works are men of large
experience in the manufacture of agricultural implements, many of
whom have been identified with this establishment for ten, fifteen
and twenty years, and some for even a quarter of a century. The
good name fairly earned by the Grand Detour Plow is more than
sustained by the very superior quality of goods now being made by
the Grand Detour Plow Company.

Sash, Door and Blind Factory. — In 1868 James Fletcher erected
the building he now occupies, and commenced the manufacture of
sash, doors and blinds on quite an extensive scale. The factory
building is 36 X 60 feet, and four stories high. Everything is done
by machinery, so that all that is done to a door, sash or blind by
hand is to put it together and smooth it up and s .ndpaper it. Every
tenon is cut by a machine that is set to fit the mortise, and every
tenon is just exactly the same size and shape, as is also every n or-
tise. The machinery used by Mr. Fletcher is all of modern manu-
facture, with late improvements ; comprising such machines as
planers, mortising, boring and sticking machines, saw-tables, sharp-
ers, formers, etc. His trade is mostly confined to this city, his
present facilities being too small to supply a large foreign trade, yet .
he does sell stock to many of the neighboring towns. It is seldom
that the busy hum of the saws at Fletcher's mill are not heard upon
working days, and among the most industrious of those working in
this mill is the proprietor himself. The excellence of the work
turned out by this factory is deserving of great success.

The Dld'on Water Power. — In the year 1844 the agitation of the
subject of building a dam across Pock river at this point was com-
menced, and about the year 1845 resulted in a survey being made by
one Woodworth, who reported a fall in the river from Grand Detour
of nine and a lialf feet, and that the erection of a dam at this place
was not a difficult undertaking. Subsequently, probably in 1846, a
charter was obtained to organize the Dixon Dam and Bridge com-
pany, and in the fall and winter of 1846-7 the bridge was built. We
have seen how this first bridge tared. Subsequently a new charter
was obtained and a company organized in 1848, under the name of
the Pock Piver Hydraulic Company, for the purpose of construct-
ing a dam, but for some reason the work was not immediately carried
forward. In August, 1849, application was made to the county com-
missioner's court for a writ of ad qxiod damnum in accordance with
the law in regard to proposed mill-dams; a jury of twelve disinter-
ested men was summoned, who met in September and declared in
favor of the building of the proposed dam. The company entered

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. 147

into negotiations with Messrs. Hancliet & Dalston, of Beloit, Wiscon-
sin, whicli resulted in a contract on the part of tliese gentlemen to build
the dam for a bonus of $1,500. They immediately commenced work ;
they were allowed to help themselves, without charge, to such ma-
terial as the woods and quarries afforded, and were to own the dam
when completed. Although provision was made for a five-foot dam
in the preliminary proceedings, it at first was built only two feet and
a half high, but was found to be inadequate to furnish the power
needed and was soon raised higher. It was built of brusli or young
trees, stone and gravel, and was soon finished. Although Hanchet
& Dalston had acquired the ownership of the work, they were unable
to retain it, by reason of the indebtedness that they had incurred in
its construction. Mr. J. B. Brooks had furnished their employes
with goods from his store, and Col. Dement had provided funds,
until the demands of these two gentlemen were more than the firm
could liquidate. As a matter of security, therefore, Messrs. Dement
and Brooks eventually acquired the entire ownership of the dam, and
Hanchet & Dalston retired. A saw-mill was built at the north end
of the dam at the same time, by Mr. Christopher Brookner. The
building that, previous to the great fire of April 8, 1880, was known
as the Becker & Underwood mill was commenced by Brooks & De-
ment as soon as they had become owners of the dam. Col. Dement
sold his interest in the mill, and acquired Brooks' interest in the
dam, and the mill was afterward run by Brooks & Daley. Dement
then built the foundry and the present race, and laid the foundation
for what, prior to the fire mentioned above, was known as the flax-
mills and the flouring-mills of Thompson & Co-, both of which were
afterward built by Chas. Godfrey, Esq. Col. Dement, since the war,
also built the plow works and the flax-mills on the south side of the
race. Mr. Godfrey not only built the flouring-mill mentioned, but
purchased the Becker & Underwood mill of Brooks & Daley, and
a large interest in the water-power.

The dam withstood the tide for two or three years without re-
quiring any considerable repair. Breaches were not infrequent, but
in every instance they were readily mended and the proprietors, after
years of experience and observation, have gained a know^ledge of
the current and bed which has at last enabled them to construct a
first-class dam, seven feet in height, against which water and ice seem
to be powerless.

From Grand Detour to this place, a distance of nine miles, there
is a fall of nine and a half feet, with a volume of 7,355 cubic feet of
water per minute, at the lowest stages of the river. This has been
ascertained to a certainty by J. M. Patrick, Esq., who measured it

148 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

and made estimates in 1868, when the river was very low. This
would furnish a power equal to that of 3,000 horse. The fall at
that time was five feet, and since then it has been raised to seven
feet and two inches, which will nearly double the power. At
least 5,000 horse j^ower is attained. Calculating that it will re-
quire twentv horse power for one run of stone, we find that our
water power is capable of propelling 250 run of very large stone.
Tliis calculation is niade from the lowest stage of water — -when the
river is up to a medium stage the power almost doubles the above
figures. It is estimated that the water used by our factories when
they were all in operation was not perceptible in the flow of water
over the dam. The capacity of the power already developed would
be sufficient to run a line of factories on each side of the river that
would reach from the dam to the railroad bridge. This places within
the grasp of Dixon the banner of manufacturing towns in Illinois.
Will she take it ? By placing that portion of this water not needed by
the present owners in the market at reasonable figures, new capital
would be invested in it, and by the full employment of this immense
power by capitalists, who have, and will feel, an increasing interest
in the city, equal to the amount of their capital invested in the me-
chanical appliance of that power, all branches of industry and mer-
cantile enterprises would be stimulated to such an extent that it
would not be unreasonable to expect that in ten years Dixon would
become a city of 15,000 or 20,000 inhabitants.

The FUm Bagging Mill. — Under the proprietorship of Col. John
Dement is an establishment that cannot well be igncn'ed in this
sketch, as its relation to the manufacturing interests of Dixon is one
of great importance. This mill is the first one of the kind estab-
lished in the United States. The project was developed in 1866, and
the mill erected in 1866. In February, 1867, the mill commenced
operation under the proprietorship of Messrs. Jerome &c Downing ;
a few months latter the firm name was changed to Dement tt Jerome ;
but for some years Col. John Dement has been sole proprietor.
Knowing the demand for the manufactured material, the mill was
established on a large basis, and as soon as it commenced operation
turned out 1400 yards of bailing cloth per day. The original build-
ing was of stone, 46xT5 feet, two stories high. Running three years
in this building and finding the demand so much greater than their
facilities could supply, Dement & Jerome increased their capacity in
1870 by extending the factory building back sixty feet, making the
whole building 45 x 140 feet, and increasing the capacity of the mill
to its present immense business of 3,200 yards of bailing cloth per
day. The factory now gives employment to fifty men, women and

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. • 149

girls. To illustrate the importance of this ilax establishment and the
number to whom it gives employment it will be necessar}' to go
outside the mill. The flax bagging mill uses 9,000 pounds of tow
per day, which Col. Dement manufactures himself from 36,000
pounds of flax straw, which is the product of twenty-five to thirty
acres. The mill runs a full capacity for 280 days a year. This would
make 1,260 tons of flax tow manufactured into baling cloth by this
factor}^ during the year, produced from 5,040 tons of straw, or the
product of from Y,000 to 8,140 acres. The mill receives three car
loads of tow per week, and ships two car loads of bagging. Most ot
the product of this mill is shipped south to Memphis and Louisville,
and some to St. Louis, from which places it is distributed through-
out the cotton-fields, where it is used to inclose the bales of cotton.

The Becker <& Underioood Mills.— These mills stand unrivaled
and alone as the only mills operated in this country on the complete
Hungarian system, and are attracting flour manufacturers from the
far east, west and north to witness the successful working of this
wonderful machiner3^

The buihiing is 50 85 feet, six stories high, with basement.
An elevator and cleaning room constitute the east wing, 22 x 36
feet, and five stories in height. This building the firm commenced
on August 12, 1880, by five mechanics, which force was increased
sufiiciently to carry the entire building up together; the siding was
worked from the inside, inclosing each story as it was raised. The
work was managed with such skill by the proprietors that on Feb-
ruary 10, 1881, a little less than six months from the time the work
was commenced, the mill started, with all that wonderful combina-
tion of machinery extending from the cellar to the garret.

On the first floor are set thirty-five rolling-mills, through which
the grain passes until reduced into the finest fiour. Each roller is
complete in itself and runs independent of the others, performing
its own part of the reduction process, the grist having to pass
through a number of these rollers before it is reduce^l to its finest
state. These rollers are connected b}^ conductors and elevators,
through which the grist passes from one rolling-mill to another until
perfected. The grain passes the first roller, where it is cracked and
tails through to the basement, from which it is carried by elevators
to the fifth floor, where it is separated from impurities and returns to
the first floor to pass through the second roller, then to the upper
floor as before ; and continues in like manner until the full series is
passed, consisting in all of eighteen operations or reductions. On
this floor, besides the rolling-mills, are four flour packers.

On the second floor are sixteen stock hoppers and twenty-two

150 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

conveyors ; and on the tliird floor there are nine bolting reels and
eight purifiers The fourth floor contains, also, eight bolting reels
and eight purifiers, with three bran dusters and three aspirators by
which the stock is cleansed Ironi impurities through a suction pro-
cess. The fifth floor is occupied by tliirty-f(nn- bolting reels ; and
ascending to the sixth floor, or attic, we find it occupied by the
machinery which drives belts and elevators in the mill below. The
mill is capable of turning out 50(.) barrels of flour per day.

The cleaning room is situated between the mill and elevator,
and is of the same height of the latter, which is five stories, with a
cleaning mill on each floor. The elevator has a capacity of eighteen
thousand bushels, and is driven in connection with the machinery
in the cleaning room, by an independent wheel; having no connec-
tion with the power that drives the mill. In the basement of the
cleaning room is being fifed up a Holly fire extinguisher as a
means of protection from any accident by fire such as the firm expe-
rienced in 1880, when their former mill was destroyed in the great
fire of that year. It is an establishment of which Dixon might well
be proud.

THE FOUNDER OF DIXON.

John Dixon was the first white man to settle within the limits of
what is now embraced in Lee county. He was a native of JSTew
York, born in the village of Rye, Westchester county, October 9,
1784. When twenty-one years of age he removed to New York
city, and opened a clothing and merchant tailoring establishment, in
which he continued in a successful trade for fifteen years. He was
a member and one of the directors of the first Bible society organiza-
tion in the United States. This was organized February 11, 1809,
under the name of the "Young Men's Bible Society of the City of
New York." While thus engaged, premonitory symptoms of pul-
monary disease manifested themselves, making a change of climate
necessary. Under the advice of his physician he disposed of his
interests in the city, and in 1820, in company with Mrs. Dixon and
children, and his brother-in law, Chas. S. Boyd and family (now of
Princeton, Illinois), set out for the then Great West — the western
prairies. Leaving JSTew York in a covered wagon, drawn by a single
team, the emigrants passed through the States of JSTew Jersey and
Pennsylvania, to Pittsburgh, and there purchased a fiat-boat, on
which they embarked with their team and efi'ects, and floated down
the Oh o to Shawneetown, Illinois, then a little landing. Here they
disemb rked with their horses and goods, and after disposing of their
boat proceeded with their wagon northwest, through pathless prai-
ries and unbridged streams, to the vicinity in which is now Spring-

*5^ ■■

tUC

^t^l<^

THE FOUNDER OF DIXON, 153

field. The prairie, now the present site of the state capital, was
then an open wild, without a human dwelling, though a few pioneers
had reared their cabins in the bordering woodlands. On Fancy
creek, nine miles from the present site of Springfield, Mr. Dixon
made his home at the close of his journey of over seventy days.
Sangamon county was not then set oif, and nearly all central and
northern Illinois was embraced in the county of Madison. Early in
the next year Sangamon county was formed ; and the first court in
the new county was held at the house of John Kelly, the oldest set-
tler near the site of Springfield. John Dixon was appointed foreman
of the grand jury. In 1825 Judge Sawyer, whose circuit nominally
embraced northwestern Illinois, requested Mr. Dixon to take the
appointment of circuit clerk and remc>ve to Peoria, then often called
Fort Clark, which he did, receiving also from Governor Coles the
appointment of recorder of deeds for Peoria county, then just
formed. Northern Illinois was not then divided into counties, and
within the territory attached to Peoria county were the voting pre-
cincts of Galena and Chicago. This whole region, which now em-
braces thirty counties, then had bnt 1,236 inhabitants. While Mr.
Dixon was at Peoria the government established a mail route from
Peoria to Galena, crossing Rock river at the present site of Dixon,
and going by way of Gratiot's Grove, in Wisconsin, to accommodate
a little settlement there ; mail to be carried once in two weeks on
horseback. Mr. Dixon threw in a bid for the contract, which was
accepted. In order to secure a passage for the mails over Rock
river, he induced a man by the name of Ogee, a French and Indian
half-breed, to establish a ferry at the point of crossing the river.
This done, the travel to and from the lead mines so rapidly increased
that Ogee's coffers became full — too full indeed for his moral
powers to bear ; the result was constant inebriation. To avoid the
delays in the transmission of mails, which these irregularities en-
tailed, Mr. Dixon bought the ferry from Ogee; and April 11, 1830,
removed his family to this point. From that date the place, as a
point for crossing the river, became known as "Dixon's Ferry."
At that time a large portion of the Winnebago Indians occupied this
part of the Rock river country. Mr. Dixon so managed his business
relations with them as to secure their entire confidence and friend-
ship, which, on the return of the Sacs and Foxes, under Black
Hawk, in 1832, proved to be of inestimable benefit to himself and
family. He was recognized by them as the "red-man's friend,"
and in accordance with the universal practice of the race, who always
give names to persons and places, descriptive of some incident or
attribute pertaining to them, called him " I^adah-churah-sah, " —
10

154 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

" Head-hair white," in aUusion to his flowing white hair. It is also
their custom to run compound words or sentences together, as in
the case of this name, pronounced by them " x^a-chu-sah." Mr.
Dixon's influence over the moral habits of the Indians of the Rock
River valley seriously curtailed the profits of the few Indian traders
who had established posts there. They found but a poor market for
the whisky with which they were wont to defraud the Indians out of
their furs and other pelts. Owanico, or " Jahro," the Winnebago
chief, who claimed and proved to be the "fast friend " of Mr. Dixon
and family, became an active and energetic disciple of temperance.
The advent of Black Hawk with his six hundred warriors, who were
marching from the Des Moines river, in Iowa, up this valley, and
who encamped at a spring a few hundred yards above the ferry (now
flooded by the back-water of the mill-dam), gave the Winnebago
chiefs abundant opportunity to manifest their fast friendship for the
family of Mr. Dixon. During the campaign Mr. Dixon's intimate
knowledge of his country, and of the character and habits of the
Indian race, enabled him to render important services to the country.
This seems to have been appreciated, and to have gained for him the
personal friendship and esteem of gentlemen of world-wide reputa-
tion. Among these were Colonel Baker, who was killed in the
early part of the rebellion, Albert Sidney Johnston, Zachary Taylor,
Robert Anderson, afterward hero of Sumter, Jefferson Davis,
Abraham Lincoln, Gen. Winfleld Scott, and others. He entered
the land upon which the most valuable part of the (now) city of
Dixon stands, and in 1835 laid it off into town lots. In this connec-
tion it may not be improper to say that all the lands thus subdivided
were disposed of from time to time, and the avails, instead of being
hoarded up for individual use, have gone to build up the general
interests of the city.

In 1838, when the general system of internal improvements in
the state were adopted by the legislature, and a vacancy occasioned
by the death of Col. Stevenson occurred in the state board of com-
missioners, he was appointed by Governor Duncan to fill the vacancy,
and subsequently elected by the legislature a permanent member of
the board; and although subsequent experience showed that the
state had undertaken too much, resulting in failure, careful investi-
gation manifested the fact that the business of the state board had
been honestly and faithfully executed. While serving as commis-
sioner an incident occurred to Mr. Dixon that will not be out of
place to notice in this connection. The pay-rolls of the companies
were made out and signed, and awaited Mr. Dixon to pay them off.
It was his duty as commissioner to draw the money at Springfield

THE FOUNDEE OF DIXON, 155

and pay the men. He liad intrusted his draft on Springfield for
collection to a contractor named Hamlin, who absconded with the
proceeds, $11,500. James P. Dixon and Smith Gilbraith started in
pursuit, traveling by stage coach through many of the eastern
states, but returned without success. Soon after James and Elijah
Dixon renewed the search, traveling in Canada and the eastern and
New England states, striking his trail once in Connecticut, but
again losing it they returned to Dixon without recovering anything.
In the meantime Mr. Dixon had raised the money and paid the
amount to the state. Some time afterward Hamlin drew a prize of
$25,000 in a lottery. With this and his other ill-gotten gains he re-
turned boldly to Galena and opened a store. Mr. Dixon at once
instituted suit and recovered judgment for the $11,500 and interest.
The sheriff closed out all of Hamlin's goods that he could get
possession of, which paid the costs and expenses of the search for
Hamlin, and a few hundred dollars of the stolen money. In 1840
Mr. Dixon visited Washington with application for the removal of
the land office from Galena to Dixon, and Gen. Scott, and perhaps
other army officers, personal friends of Mr. Dixon, who had become
familiar with the topography of the country during the Black Hawk
war, promptly interested themselves in his behalf, and introduced
him to President Yan Buren, who at once signed the order for
removal. Of his domestic life it is becoming to make but bare men-
tion. His wife, formerly Rebecca Sherwood, of ]^ew York, a lady
of superior mental capacity and energy, shared with her husband
the toils and privations incident to frontier life, and exerted a moral
and religious influence which will be felt in this region for all time.
She, with all her children, ten in number, passed away before the
husband and father. Mr. Dixon continued to live here in the city
that he loved, where for nearly fifty years he had walked the Indian
trail as well as paved streets, until his death, which occurred Thurs-
day, July 6, 1876. His death was expected, as he had been grad-
ually failing for several weeks; yet, when the muffled tones of the
bell on Thursday morning announced the sad news that the beloved
founder of the town had passed away, it carried sorrow to every heart,
for old and young alike had learned to love and revere him as a father.
His city made suitable arrangements for the funeral, which occurred
on the next Sabbath. The services took place at the north front of the
court-house, where platforms and seats had been erected for the pur-
pose. Early in the day delegations composed of civic societies
from neighboring cities arrived, each headed by a band of music.
Many of the stores and public buildings were deeply draped in
mourning. The body was laid in state at the court-house under

156 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

guard of Sir Knights Templar. The remains retained the pleasant
features of life, and were looked upon for the last time by 10,000
people, who 'Moved with a love that was more than love" the
good Father Dixon. The honor shown his remains in death was
truly a worthy remembrance of a long life of purity and goodness.
It has been the custom and inclination of the human race from the
earliest historical ages to pay honors at burial ceremonies of mili-
tary heroes and political leaders, and the men of wealth have often
been thus honored and followed to their grave by the multitudes,
but seldom in all these ages has there been such ovation and general
marks of respect tendered to a man in the common walks of life as
was witnessed at the obsequies of Father Dixon. It was emphat-
ically an ovation of the masses, and especially of the old settlers of
this and adjoining counties, who came to pay their respects to the
last on earth of Father Dixon. It would reasonably be supposed
that a man so universally loved and respected at his death as was
Father Dixon never had an enemy in the world, but this was not
so,— at least in his earlier days, — for in his long and active life he
had battled earnestly and unflinchingly against evil in every form,
and by such firmness for the right he did, as might be expected,
antagonize men who could not understand, or, if they understood,
had not the souls to appreciate those noble characteristics which raised
him far above ordinary men. Yet it can be truly said that "none
knew him but to love," or "named him but to praise," because
those with whom he had met in the strife incident to life were at last
led to acknowledge the nobleness of his character. It was not alone
that he was unselfish, liospitable, kind and generous, patriotic and
loving, which gained him the respect of all;^ but it was that, when in
active life, he was always 'unswervingly for the cause of human pro-
gress and the right, and stubbornly opposed evil. Though his wife
had passed away more than twenty-nine years before, and he had
outlived all his children, and it could long since be truly said that

"The Qiossy marbles rest
On the lips that he had prest

In their bloom,
And the names he loved to hear
Had been engraved for many a year
On the tomb,"
yet he was surrounded by kind and loving hearts and willing
hands that administered to his every want. It was well, as a lesson
to the generation of man coming after him, that such marked respect
should be paid to the closing life of such a man. It was well that
such a concourse of people should assemble here as had never
before congregated in one day in this his own city. It was well that

THE FOUNDEK OF DIXON. 157

the court-house and other public buildings should be deeply draped
in the habiliments of woe, for a truly good man lay dead in its halls.
At a citizens' meeting held on Friday evening after Father
Dixon's death, the following memorial was prepared and spread on
the records of the city :

IN MEMORY OF JOHN DIXON.

We, the people of Dixon, called upon to mourn the departure of
him who gave our city existence and its name, desire to place among
its records this testimonial of our appreciation of his virtues. His
neighbors, — many of us have known him for a third of a century, —
who during all that time have looked up to him and have loved him as
a father, with one accord have assembled to pay this tribute to his
memory. John Dixon, alter a life extended far beyond the life
ordinarily assigned to man, at the ripe age of nearly ninety-two
years, one-half of which had been passed in this town so loved by
him, which he had made, has departed from the scene of his earthly
labors. Having long outlived all that were, by the ties of blood,
nearest and dearest to him, his weary pilgrimage at last is ended.
He has gone to the summer land. A man of great strength of
mind, force of character, and determination of purpose; yet he has
lived and died without an enemy. Forgetful of himself, he lived
for others, a pure and unseliish life. He was that noblest work of
God — -an honest man — and he has

"So lived that when the summons came to join
The innumerable caravan, that moves
To that mysterious realm where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls at death.
He went, not as the quarry slave of night,
Scourged to his dungeon; but sustained and sooth'd
By an unfaltering trust, approached the grave
Like one that wraps the drapery of his couch
Around him and lies down to pleasant dreams."

Born at the close of the revolution and rocked in his cradle when
the "cradle of liberty" was swinging to and fro with a new-born
nation. Father Dixon was imbued with all those noble principles of
patriotism characteristic of that age, and which he retained through
life. He lived to see his country grow from a vast wilderness, with
only about the number of inhabitants contained in our state, to a
great nation of forty millions. When he was born there was hardly
a white inhabitant in all the great states of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, and indeed the entire northwest, now the most flourishing
part of the United States. A dozen years before, the American
colonies were the most loyal part of the British empire, and on the
political horizon no speck indicated the struggle that had just closed

158 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

and established the great republic of the world. There were then
only about half-a-dozen newspapers in this vast country, while
railroads, telegraphs and steam-engines had not entered into the
remotest conceptions of man. It is indeed a very pertinent fact,
in this connection, that when Fulton took his first steam-boat up the
Hudson on a trial trip, John Dixon was a passenger, and paid the
great inventor of steamboats the first money as fare ever received as
a return for his immense expenses and time. So it was our own
Father Dixon who paid the first steamboat fare ever paid; who was
the first patron of steam, that now earns, every moment, its millions
of dollars. Fulton at first refused to receive the money, but Father
Dixon with his innate principles of justice, insisted that he should,
and it was only by his determination to be just that gave him the
satisfaction of being honored, as we said. He lived through a
history in which has been allotted more important events, in their
bearing upon the happiness of the world, than any other which has
elapsed since the creation. Now he has gone down to his grave full
of honors, such as any hero of any age might envy.

Mrs. Dixon was one of the few women who could and did adorn
any position in life in wliich she was placed. Her person was rather
under size, exhibiting no marked peculiarity. She was intelligent,
far above the age and circumstances surrounding her, and had a
warm heart and ready hand for every good word and work alike.
Devout and fervent in all the holy exercises of religion and morality,
ardently attached to the church (Baptist) to which she belonged, she
gave her hand to all who bore the name and character of that great
christian body. Her moral worth, talents, virtue, and her whole life,
was one of devotion to Christianity. She was Solomon's ideal of
glorious womanhood before he was corrupted by the false glare and
glitter of a false religion and an impure life. "As an early reminis-
cence of Mrs. Dixon's rare tact and knowledge of character, shall I
venture to write that in the dead of winter, preceding the Black
Hawk war, the prophet, from Prophetstown, Black Hawk, and a
chief from Bock Island, whose name I have forgotten, held a council
at Dixon's Ferry, and then and there negotiated with the Pottawato-
mies for the occupancy of the Spotted Arms' town near the present
site of Rockford. Meal time came three times a day, to which the
chiefs at the council fire were invited as guests of Mrs. Dixon. She
presided as waiter, and, to allay any fears of her guests, sat down
and ate and drank with them. The perfect lady was reminded by
Black Hawk, as spokesman, of her goodness, and he called the at-
tention of the other chiefs to her care and politeness to them."

LEE COUNTY UNION VOLUNTEERS.

59

LEE COUNTY UNION VOLUNTEERS.

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT.

The Thirteen th Infantry Illinois Yolunteers was organized under
the Ten-Regiment bill, at Dixon, Illinois, May 9, 1861, and went into
camp on the fair grounds at Dixon. On the next day, after going
into camp, the following regimental officers were elected : John

B. Wyman, colonel, B. F. Parks, lieutenant-colonel, A. B. Gorgas,
major. Colonel's staff consisted of A. W. Pitts, commissary, W.

C. Henderson, quartermaster, J. L. McCleary, assistant quarter-
master, H. T. Porter, adjutant. Dr. S. C. Plumer, surgeon. Dr. D.
W. Young, assistant-surgeon. Rev. J. C. Miller, chaplain. The
drawing of positions by the companies resulted as follows :

Captain H. T. Noble

D. R. Bushnell

" M. H. Messinger
. ^' Q. McNeil

" S. W. Partridge
Z. B. Mayo
G. W. Cole

" — Gardner

" S. W. Wadsworth

'• W. Blanchard .

Company A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
K

nposed
ndwich,

Dixon

Sterling .

Amboy

Rock Island

Sandwich

Sycamore

Morrison

Aurora

Chicago

Du Page

This regiment was organized with 870 men, and was co
of companies from Dixon, Sterling, Amboy, Rock Island, Sa
Sycamore, Morrison, Aurora, Chicago, and Du Page. The regiment
was organized for the three months service, but the call being made
soon after for three-years volunteers, the regiment was mustered into
the United States service under the last call, May 24, 1861, being
the first regiment mustered into the three-years service.

Company A was the first company of volunteers raised at Dixon,
and on April 22, 1861, they met at their armory and elected company
officers : A. B. Gorgas, captain, Henry T. JSToble, first-lieutenant,
Henry Dement, second-lieutenant, Benjamin Gilman, first-sergeant,
and O. M, Pugh, second-sergeant, and on the same day hoisted the
union fiag opposite the mayor's office. On April 25 the ladies of
Dixon presented the company with a handsome banner, when as-
sembled in front of the court-house. Miss Mary Williams (Mrs. H.
D. Dement) delivered the presentation address.

Two other companies, the Dixon Cadets and the Dixon Blues,
were organized within a few days, but their services were not needed
on account of the regiments under the first call being full. Most of
the members of these companies afterward enlisted and went to the
war in other companies and regiments. On June 1, 1861, the ladies
presented Co. A with uniforms made by their own hands.

160 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Company C was organized at Amboy, electing as company officers
as follows : Henry M. JVIessinger, captain, Nathaniel JSTeiF, first
lieutenant, George B. Sage, second lieutenant.

The two companies above, A and C, were of Lee county, while
the other companies were from the diiferent parts of the state as
above given.

This regiment remained in camp at Dixon until Sunday, June
16, when they were ordered to Caseyville, Illinois ; from thence to
Rolla, Missouri, by rail, July 6. Here they remained until October
10, 1861, when they were ordered to Springfield, Missouri ; and in
thirty days (November 10) they were ordered back to Rolla. Here
they went into winter quarters, and remained until March 16, 1862,
when they were ordered to Arkansas ; and leaving Rolla, Missouri,
on the above date, they marched, via Springfield, to Pea Ridge,
Arkansas ; thence, via Kietsville, to Balesville, and thence to Helena,
Arkansas, arriving on July 14, 1862. On December 27, 1862, they
reached Chickasaw Bayou, being the first regiment to reach that
battleground and lead in the assault against the enemy, on Decem-
ber 29, 1862. In this battle fell some of the brave boys of Lee
county. On the 11th day of the following month (January 1863)
they participated in the battle of Arkansas Post. Then followed the
battle at Jackson, Mississippi, May 22, 1863, in which they were
engaged; and on the 22d of the same month they participated in the
assault on the rebel works before Vicksburgh. From here they
returned to Jackson, Mississippi, and participated in the siege of
that city, July 1863. They were in the battles of Tuscumbia,
October 26 and 27, 1863. From there to Lookout Mountain, No-
vember 24 ; thence to Mission Ridge on the following day (Novem-
ber 25) ; two days later (November 27, 1863) they were in the battle
of Ringgold, Georgia. In the following spring (May 1864) they
were in the battle of Madison, Alabama.

Their term of service having expired, they returned to Spring-
field, Illinois, and were mustered out of the service of the United
States on June 18, 1864.

Veterans were transferred to the 56th Illinois Volunteers, among
whom were some of the Lee county soldiers, which will be noted in
the following table. Mark M. Evens, of Dixon, was mustered in as
captain of Co. I in the 56th regiment, as above, and was mus-
tered out of the service at the close of the war, under date of August
12, 1865.

Officers Roll at the Close of Service. — Col. John B. Wyman,
Amboy, killed in battle of Chickasaw Bayou, December 28, 1862.

Lieut. -Col. Benjamine F. Parks, Dixon, resigned June 24, 1861.

LEE COUNTY UNION VOLUNTEERS. 161

Major, Adam B. Gorgas, Dixon, promoted June 25, 1861, to lieu-
tenant-colonel, and to colonel December 29, 1862 ; term expiring
June 18, 1864.

Second Assistant Surgeon, David H. Lane, resigned November
16, 1862, to accept commission as surgeon in 9tli Cav., Mo. Yols.

Chaplain, Joseph C. Miller, Amboy, was honorably discharged
September 4, 1863.

Coiajpany A. — Captain, Henry T. Noble, Dixon, promoted by the
President, July 8, 1863.

Second Lieut., Henry D. Dement, Dixon, was promoted to first
lieutenancy April 27, 1861, and resigned August 1, 1863.

First Sergeant, Geo. L. Aiken, Dixon, was promoted second lieu-
tenant March 1, 1862, and died April 2, 1863.

Sergeant, Adanaran J. Pinkham ; was promoted second lieutenant
June 11, 1863, and was promoted captain August 1, 1863.

Sergeant, Henry Van Houton, discharged November 30, 1863, to
accept commission as major of 3d Arkansas Cavalry.

The following privates in Co. A were promoted : Sherman A.
Griswold, Lee Center, was discharged to be promoted to second
lieutenant in 1st Missouri Cavalry ; Jedediah Shaw, Dixon, as cor-
poral ; Charles W. Snider, Dixon, as sergeant-major ; William
Irwin, Dixon, as sergeant ; Mark Evens, as first lieutenant ; Jonathan
H. Crabtree, Dixon, as corporal ; John H. Brubaker, Dixon, as first
sergeant ; Henry B. Anderson, Dixon, as corporal, and Alx. Pitts as
sergeant.

THIRTY-FOURTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

On September 2, 1861, five companies left Dixon for the army,
and were organized in the ^34th Hlinois Infantry Volunteers, at
Camp Butler, a few days after. The companies leaving Dixon at
this time were Co. A, from Sterling, commanded by E. B. Ward ;
Co. B, from Morrison, H. W. Bristol, captain ; Co. C, from China,
Lee county, Alx. Dysart, captain ; Co. D, from Dixon, T. L.
Pratt, captain ; and Co. F, from Grand Detour.

Companies C and D were made up of Lee county boys, while a
number were received in other companies of this regiment.

The 34th Illinois Infantry Volunteers was organized at Camp
Butler, September T, 1861, by Col. E. N. Kirk. On October 2 moved
to Lexington, Kentucky, and from thence to Louisville, and then to
camp Nevin, Kentucky, where it remained until February 14, and
was afterward hotly engaged in the battle of Shiloh, losing Major
Levenway and fifteen killed, and one hundred and twelve wounded.
From here they moved to luka and Florence. They crossed the
river at that place and moved to Athens, Huntersville and Steven-

162 HISTORY OF LEE (BOUNTY.

son, Alabama ; thence to Battle Creek, where they were encamped
over a month.

Leaving Battle Creek they marched to Louisville, Kentucky,
arriving September 27, 1S62. October 1, 1S62, left Louisville for
Frankfort. October 4 was engaged in a skirmish at Claysville,
Kentucky. From Frankfort moved to JSTashville. jS'ovember 27
had a skirmish at Lavergne. Regiment remained in camp five
miles southeast of Nashville until December 26, 1862.

On leaving the above camp they moved on to Triune, near which
place they became engaged with the enemy on December 27. On
the 29th they moved toward Murfreesboro, and on the 30th took
position on the extreme right of the Union lines. On the following
day, December 31, 1862, the enemy attacked the regiment in over-
whelming force, driving it back on the main line. Many of the
regiment were captured ; twenty-one killed, twenty-three wounded,
and sixty-six missing.

During the three following days the regiment did guard duty.

On June 25, 1863, they were engaged in a battle near Liberty
Gap, losing three killed and twenty-six wounded.

The regiment was now in the 20th Army Corps. On the 26tli it
moved to Manchester, entering Tullahoma on the morning of July 1.
August 10, moved to Bellefonte, Alabama. The 31:th was detailed
as provost guard; 30th, moved to Caxertain's ferry, on Tennessee
river. Here the regiment was left to guard the pontoon bridge.
September 18, moved the boats to Battle Creek. October 20, 1863,
moved to Anderson's Cross-roads, in Sequatchie valley. November
8, moved to Harrison's Landing, on Tennessee river. Arrived at
Chattanooga the 15th, and camped on Moccasin point. Xovember
25th, ordered to join the brigade on the battle-field of Chattanooga.
Moved by Chickamauga Station ; met the retreating eneiny near
Graysville, and was engaged about half an hour. 28th, moved back
to Chattanooga, where those unable to march were put in camp ; the
remainder of the regiment moving on the expedition into East Ten-
nessee, as far as Loudon, where the 34th was detailed to run a
grist-mill, grinding corn and wheat for the division. Returned to
Chattanooga, arriving December 19, 1863.

December 22, the 34th was mustered as a veteran organization.
Received veteran furlough, and rendezvoused at Dixon, Illinois,
arriving January 21, 1864. February 28, started to Chattanooga,
arriving March 17, and moved out to join the second brigade, in
camp near Roseville, Georgia. Mustered out July 12, 1865, at
Louisville, Kentucky. Arrived at Chicago, July 16, for final pay-
ment and dischara-e.

LEE COUNTY UNION VOLUNTEERS. 163

Officers' Roll — -Company C. — Captains: Alex T. Dysart, China,
promoted major, then to colonel; Benson Wood, China, resigned Jan-
uary 29, 1863 ; Peter F. Walker, Bradford, promoted major ; L. W.
Rosecrans, China, mustered out July 1865.

First Lieutenants : Benson Wood, China, promoted ; P. F.
Walker, Bradford, promoted; J. W.Williams, China,|musteredout
November 5, 1864 ; L. K Black, China, killed in battle March 1865 ;
David Wingert, China, mustered out July 12, 1865.

Second Lieutenants : P. F. Walker, Bradford, promoted ; J. W.
Williams, China, promoted ; B. F. Dysart, China, mustered out
November 5, 186-4 ; L. W. Rosencrans, China, promoted.

CoinjKtny D. — Captains: T. L. Pratt, Dixon, resigned August
18, 1862 ; William S. Wood, Dixon, resigned April 14, 1864 ; S. B.
Dexter, Amboy, mustered out November 8, 1864 ; Charles Eckles,
Palmyra, mustered out July 12, 1865.

First Lieutenants : William Wood, Dixon, promoted; S. B. Dex-
ter, Amboy, promoted ; Francis Forsyth, Dixon, mustered out ;
H. A. Jeffs, Franklin, mustered out July 12,1865.

Second Lieutenants : S. B. Dexter, Amboy, promoted ; Francis
Forsyth, Dixon, promoted ; Charles Eckles, Palmyra, promoted ;
Spencer Conn, mustered out Julj" 12, 1865.

FOKTY-SIXTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

Company D of this regiment was organized with the following
officers : William F. Wilder, of Sublette, captain ; Joel L. Coe, of
Amboy, first lieutenant, and Henry H. Woodbury, of Amboy, second
lieutenant. This company consolidated with Co. I, March 7, 1863.

Company H was also largely a representative of Lee county, as
it contained a number of soldiers in its ranks from among her sons.
Captain John Stevens, of Dixon, commanded, and Thomas A. Pieron-
nett, first lieutenant, was from Amboy.

In Company I we find the names of Lee county citizens among
the commissioned officers as well as in the ranks.

The 46tli was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, December
28, 1861, by Col. John N. Davis. It was ordered to Cairo, Illi-
nois, on February 11, 1862. From thence proceeded via Cumber-
land river to Fort Donelson, Tennessee, arriving on the 14th, and was
assigned to command of Gen. Lew Wallace. 16th, moved through
the works and to Dover. 19th, moved to Henry. On March 16 it
embarked for Pittsburg Landing, where it arrived on the 18th. The
regiment was now in the second brigade and fourth division.

In the battle of Shiloh the 46th took a most conspicuous and

164 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

honorable part, losing over half yA' its officers and men in killed
and wounded ; it received the thanks of the commanding generals.

The regiment was engaged during the month of May in the siege
of Corinth.

On June 2 the regiment camped six miles west of Corinth. On
the 10th it marched to the Hatchie river ; on the 15th passed through
Gi'and Junction, and camped three miles from town ; on the 24th
moved to Collarbone Hill, near La Grange, and on tlie 30th moved
to the old Lamar church.

On July 1 it marched to Cold Water, and returned on the 6th ;
on the 17th moved toward Memphis, and marching via Moscow,
Lafayette, Germantown and White's Station, camping two miles
south of Memphis on July 21, and on August 27 engaged in the
scout to Pigeon Roost. On September 6, the following month, the
regiment moved fr(»m Memphis toward Brownsville, and continuing
the march via Raleigh, Union Station, the Big Muddy river was
reached on the 9th. On the 11th the command was again on the
move via Hampton Station, Danville, Whiteville, Pleasant Creek,
and Bolivar to Hatchie river, where all the troops on the river were
reviewed by Gen. McPherson on September 27.

On October 4 the command was again on the move toward Cor-
inth, and met the enemy at Metamora. The 46th was on the right
of second brigade, supporting Bolton's battery. After an hour's
shelling by the batteries the infantry were ordered forward, and at
a double-quick advanced, driving the enemy across the river. The
first brigade coming up, "Hurlbut's fighting fourth division" ad-
vanced and drove the enemy from the field, compelling his flight.
Col. John A. Davis, of the 46th, and Lieut. M. R. Thompson fell
mortally wounded, both expiring on the 10th. After the battle the
regiment returned to Bolivar.

On November 3 they marched to La Grange, where they remained
until the 28th, when they moved to Holly Springs ; and two days
after they moved toward the Tallahatchie river, and camped near
Waterford, Mississippi, where winter quarters were fitted up with
mud chimneys and bake-ovens complete. But these were only com-
pleted in time to move away from them ; for on December 11 they
crossed Hurricane Creek, and on the following day advanced to Yo-
cony Station, where they remained until December 22, when they
marched to Taylor's Station.

Van Dorn having captured Holly Springs, the regiment marched
on the 22d via Oxford to Hurricane Creek, and on the following day,
24tli, the 46th Hlinois, and 33d Wisconsin moved, as train guard, to

LEE COUNTY UNION VOLUNTEERS. 165

north side of Tallahatchie river. Here they tarried but two days, and
on the 26th moved camp four miles nearer Holly Springs, between
Waterford and Wyatt Station. This closed movements for 1862, but
on January 6, 1863, they moved to Holly Springs, and on the 10th
the 46th and the 15th were an escort to ammunition train to La Grange,
from which they marched on the 13th to Moscow, where they re-
mained until February 5, when they moved to Lafayette.

After rejoining the brigade at Lafayette they moved on March 9,
via Collierville and Germantown, to Memphis.

On April 21, 1863, they engaged in the expedition to Hernando,
and returned the 24th, where they remained until May 13, when
they embarked for Yicksburg, and on the 15th landed at Young's
Point; on the 18th marched to Bower's Landing; on the 19th
moved to Sherman's Landing, and on the 20th moved, by steamer,
up the Yazoo to Chickasaw Bayou, where they disembarked and
moved across the swamp to the bluff. May 21 they proceeded to
the left of Gen. Grant's army ; 24th, marched in the direction of
Yicksburg; 25th, marched to the extreme left of the line. The reg-
iment was detailed on picket duty, and during the night the out-
post (five companies) were captured by the enemy. One hundred
and four men and seven officers were taken, seventy escaping. The
remainder of the regiment took an active part in the siege of Yicks-
burg, July 12, in the siege of Jackson, moved into position at ex-
treme right of line. Engaged in the siege until the 16th, when the
enemy evacuated Jackson ; after which the regiment returned to
Yicksburg. August 8, moved to Natchez ; September 1, went on
expedition into Louisiana ; returned on the 8th.

January 4, 1864, the 46th was mustered as a veteran regiment.
12tli, started north and on the 23d arrived at Freeport, Illinois, where
the regiment was furloughed.

SIXTY-NINTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

Company H, of the 69th Illinois Yolunteers, was organized at
Dixon for the three-months service. The officers for this company
from Lee county were James W. Reardon, captain, Dixon ; EliB. Ba-
ker, first lieutenant, Dixon ; Edwin F. Bennett, second lieutenant,
Dixon ; John D. Heaton, first sergeant, Dixon ; L. M. Keyms, ser-
geant, Dixon ; Edward Perkins, sergeant, Dixon ; P. C. Williams, ser-
geant, Franklin Grove ; George D. Black, sergeant, Franklin Grove ;
Germanus Knepper, corporal, Dixon ; George Johnson, corporal,
Franklin Grove ; Hanibal Keen, corporal, Franklin Grove ; John
Little, corporal, Dixon ; L. H. Moore, corporal, Dixon ; Uriah

166 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Stroiip, corporal, Dixon ; Jerome A. Martin, corporal, Dixon ; Jo-
seph Ledger, corporal, Dixon.

Company K. — Wm. H. Tousley, first lieutenant, Aniboy ; H. T.
Pratt, sergeant, Amboy ; E. W. Patten, sergeant, Amboy ; L. W.
Waterbury, sergeant, Lee Center; Jas. A. Martin, sergeant, Amboy.

There were ^forty-four in the ranks of this regiment from Lee
county.

SEVENTY-FIFTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

The 75th Illinois Volunteers was organized at Dixon, Illinois, on
September 2, 1862, by Col. George Ryan.

Ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, September 27. Was brigaded
with 30th brigade. Col. Post ; 9th division. Gen. Mitchell, of Buell's
army.

October 1, marched in pursuit of Bragg. October 8, engaged in
the battle of Chaplain Hills, losing 47 killed, 166 wounded, and 12
prisoners. Marched to Crab Orchard, Col. Wookruif assuming
command of the division. Returned, via Lebanon and Bowling
Green, to Nashville, Gen. Jeif. C. Davis taking command of the
division. Encamped four miles from Nashville, on the Lebanon
Pike, November 7, 1862 ; since which time no historical memoran-
dum is given in the adjutant-generars reports.

Mustered. out June 12, 1865, at Camp Harker, Tennessee, and
arrived at Chicago June 15, 1865, where the regiment received
final payment and discharge.

Major — James A. Watson, mustered in February 3, 1863 ; mus-
tered out June 12, 1865.

Adjutant — Jerome Hollenbeck, mustered in September 2, 1862 ;
resigned December 19, 1862.

Quartermaster — John E. Remington, mustered in September 2,
1862 ; resigned for promotion, November 24, 1863.

Surgeon — George Phillips, mustered in September 18, |1862 ;
resigned May 10, 1863.

Company A. — Captain : James A. Watson, mustered in Sep-
tember 2, 1862 ; promoted major. Mustered out June 12, 1865.

First Lieutenant — Ezekiel Giles, mustered in September 2, 1862;
promoted captain. Resigned May 23, 1863.

Second Lieutenant — William Parker, jr., mustered in September
2, 1862 ; promoted first lieutenant. Promoted captain. May 23,
1863. Mustered out June 12, 1865.

First Sergeant — Frederick A. Headley, mustered in September
2, 1862 ; promoted second lieutenant. Promoted first lieutenant.
Honorably discharged May 16, 1865.

LEE COUNTY UNION VOLUNTEERS. 167

Sergeants — Alfred K. Buckaloo, mustered in September 2, 1862;
promoted second lieutenant ; died March 24, 1864. Horace Judson,
mustered in September 2, 1862 ; reduced ; mustered out June 12,
1866. William J. Cogswell, mustered in September 2, 1862 ; dis-
charged March 8, 1863 ; disability. Joseph A. Hill, mustered in
September 2, 1862 ; discharged May 28, 1863 ; disability.

Corporals — John William, mustered in September 2, 1862 ; died
at Richmond, Virginia, June 3, 1864, while a prisoner of war.
Louis H. Burket, mustered in September 2. 1862 ; promoted ser-
geant-major. Edwin J. Jones, mustered in September 18, 1862 ;
deserted October 3, 1862. Isaac E. Barr, mustered in September
18, 1862 ; mustered out June 12, 1865. George M. Putnam, mus-
tered in September 18, 1862 ; mustered out June 12, 1865, as first
sergeant. Ezra Cooper, mustered in September 18, 1862 ; sergeant;
died January 12, 1865. David H. Wagner, mustered in September
18, 1862; mustered out June 12, 1865, as sergeant. Anthony Zim-
mer, mustered in September 18, 1862 ; reduced. Absent, sick, at
muster out of regiment.

Musicians — James L. Backus, mustered in September 18, 1862 ;
mustered out June 12, 1865. David Freeman, mustered in Septem-
ber 18, 1862; discharged May 28, 1863; disability.

Company E. — This company was organized at Amboy with
volunteers from the central part of the county.

Captains — \Vm. S. Frost, mustered in September 2, 1862; dis-
charged January 23, 1865. J. H. Blodget, mustered in February
16, 1865 ; mustered out.

First Lieutenants — F. H. Eels, mustered in September 2, 1862;
killed in battle. J. H. Blodget, mustered in April 23, 1863; pro-
moted. James Dexter, mustered in February IT, 1865 ; mustered
out.

Second Lieutenants — J. H. Blodget, mustered in September 2,
1862; promoted. Jas. Dexter, promoted.

Company F — Amboy. — Captains: A. S. Yorey, mustered in
September 2, 1862 ; died August 14, 1864. James McCord, mus-
tered in April 1, 1865 ; mustered out June 12, 1865.

First Lieutenant — Jas. Tourtillott, mustered in April 1, 1865 ;
resigned. Jas. D. Place, promoted.

Company Lt\ — 'FranliUn Grove. — Captains: Joseph Williams,
mustered in September 2, 1862 ; resigned. R. L. Irwin, mustered
in May 20, 1864 ; mustered out June 12, 1865.

First Lieutenant — R. L. Irwin, not mustered ; resigned.

168 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Second Lieutenant — R. L. Irwin, mustered in September 2,
1862 ; promoted. Wm. Yance, mustered in May 3, 1863 ; pro-
moted.

But few regiments that entered the service met the enemy in
desperate battle so soon after enlistment as did the T5th. Mustered
in on September 2 ; on October 1 marched in pursuit of Gen.
Bragg, and on the 8th engaged with the enemy, in which conflict
the Lee county boys suffered severely. Lee Center and Sublett
"were largely represented among the dead on the battle-field. Many
died from wounds received in the battle.

0]SrE HUNDRED AND FORTIETH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

The 140th Infantry Illinois Volunteers was raised for the one-
hundred-days service, and went into camp at Dixon about May 1,
1864. June 16 the regiment was ordered to Springfield, where it
was immediately sworn into the service, and ordered to Paducah,
Kentucky. The regiment serving the full time of enlistment, it was
mustered out October 26, 1864. The oflicers from Lee county were
as follows :

Colonel — Lorenzo Whitney, Dixon; mustered out October 29,
1864.

Quartermaster. — Geo. W. Bishop, Dixon, mustered out October
29, 1864.

Surgeon — Geo. W. Phillips, Dixon ; mustered out October 29,
1864.

Comjyany E. — Captain: Ezekial Giles, Dixon; mustered out
October 29, 1864.

First Lieutenant — Joseph Ball, Dixon; mustered out October
29, 1864.

Second Lieutenant — John L. Skinner, Amboy ; mustered out
October 29, 1864.

• ''GHEENEY's BATTERY," FIRST ILLINOIS ARTILLERY.

Battery F, First Illinois Light Artillery, was recruited at Dixon,
Illinois, in January 1862, by Capt. John T. Cheney, and was mus-
tered in at Springfield, February 25.

Moved to Boston barracks, Missouri, March 15, with four six-
pound guns. April 1, was ordered to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee,
and arrived April 9, and was assigned to Maj. Gen. Lew. Wallace's
third division, army of the Tennessee.

L -^

LEE COUNTY UNION VOLUNTEERS. 171

Was engaged in the siege of Corinth, and June 9 marched for
Memphis, arriving on the 18th. November 26, moved from Mem-
phis and arrived from the Tallaliatchie river December 2. On the
11th, in Denver's division, went on the Yocona expedition, returning
to Tallahatcliie river, and finally to Holly Springs, Mississippi.

March 7, 1865, battery F was consolidated with other batteries
of the regiment.

Officers from Lee county were John T. Cheney, captain, promoted
major ; J. H. Burton, first lieutenant, promoted captain ; J. T. Wha-
ley, second lieutenant, promoted first lieutenant ; Theodore W. Raub,
second lieutenant, killed in battle ; Robert Richey, second lieutenant,
mustered out March 7, 1865 ; J. Q. Yates, second lieutenant, not
mustered.

Besides the regiments here n(jted as containing Lee county sol-
diers, there were many volunteers who enlisted in other regiments
in different departments of the service. In the infantry ranks, Lee
county was represented in seventeen regiments besides those above
mentioned, ranging from No. 10 to No. 153. Ten cavalry regiments
contained Lee county boys, as well as Burnside's marine artillery
McClellan's dragoons, etc. From the Atlantic to the prairies of Mis-
souri, and from the Ohio river to the gulf on almost every battle-field
were found the brave sons of Lee county nobly fighting for their
country.

Patriotism at home. — The patriotism of Lee county was awak-
ened by the news of the firing on Fort Sumter, and on April 17,
1861, there appeared in the Dixon " Telegraph " the following note :
"War Feeling in Dixon. — While we are writing, the people, with-
out distinction of party, are in council. Great enthusiasm prevails.
A company is forming. The action of the administration is to be
sustained."

An association was formed called "the volunteer aid associa-
tion," for the purpose of rendering aid to the families of absent vol-
unteers, and on June 30, 1861, they reported a subscription to the
fund of $3,625.

In the autumn of 1861 a camp for recruiting and <n'ganizing troups
was established at Dixon, on the banks of the river west of the rail-
road. Col. W. H. Hayden, commander of post, and Col. John De-
ment, commander of the encampment. On May 31, 1863, John V.
Eustace was appointed provost-marshal for this congressional dis-
trict.

Relief societies were organized, and appropriations made by the
county board of supervisors, for the relief of the families of absent
volunteers. Military scrip was issued for the payment of bounty
11

172 HISTORY OF LEE OC»UNTY.

offered b_v the board of supervisors for Lee county. At the Jaiuiarj
term of the board it was reported by the corainittee on said scrip
tliat $6,000 had been distributed as designed.

At the jSToveniber term, 1S63, the board of supervisors of tlie
county offered a bounty of slOO to every accepted volunteer from
Lee county, at;d at tlie November term of the court, 1S63, an appro-
priation was made for the same purpose, and spread upon the regis-
ter the following preamble and resolution, to wit :

W/iej-'ai:. Our government has found it necessary to make an-
other call upon the people of the loyal states for three hundred thou-
sand more men wherewith to crush out the existing rebellion in our
land ; and

W/iere(f-'<. the State of Illinois has heretofore, by patriotism of
her noble sons in voluntarily enlisting in the army of the Union, es-
caped the necessity of drafting (furnishing more men than her quota,
nnder all the preceding calls) ; and

^yllereas, we, the board of supervisors of Lee county, have assem-
bled for the special purpose, and being desirous that her proud name,
which the sons of Illinois now battling for our countrj^ have made
for our state, should still be maintained by voluntary enlistments,
and especially desirous that our county of Lee, second to none in
the state for patriotism, should only be represented in our army by
volunteers ; it is therefore

Resolved^ That w^e offer to each and every duly accepted volunteer
from the county of Lee a count}^ bounty of the sum of $100.

There being a scarcity of funds in the treasury with which to pay
these proffered bounties, the board subsequently ordered that bonds
not to exceed $20,000 be issued to provide for the same.

It subsequently appears as a matter of record that there was but
$16,000 issued in bonds for this purpose.

At the February term of the supervisors^ court it was repoi'ted
that $4,061.60 had been distributed as a relief fund to families of
volunteers.

At a special term of the board held in October, 1864, the follow-
ing resolution was offered by John J. Higgins, and was adopted by
fifteen for to four against, to wit :

" Resolved^ That the board of supervisors of Lee county, for the
purpose of aiding those men who have enlisted, or may enlist on or
after the third day of October, a.u. 1864, under the call of the presi-
dent of the United States, made on the 18th day of July, a.d. 1864,
for 600,000 men, do hereby appropriate, in addition to the bounty
of $100 offered at the annual session of the board on the 14th day of
September, a.d. 1864, the sum of $900 to each and every man so

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 173

enlisting or volunteering to fill said call ; and the clerk of this board
is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to issue county orders
to an amount not to exceed the sum of $150,000, including the sum
of $25,500 appropriated on the 14th day of September, a.d. 1864."
At the same meeting of the board, on motion of supervisor Gas-
ton, the clerk of the board was authorized and directed to draw
orders on the county treasury in sum not to exceed $2,000 for the re-
lief of the families of volunteers, in sums not to exceed $100 each,
and to be placed in the hands of the agents (who had been previously
appointed by the board) tV)r the distribution of the relief fund.

DIXON TOA¥NSHIP.

Dixon township originally embraced South Dixon, Nelson, and
a part of Nachusa township ; the survey embracing T. 21 N., R. 9
E., which is situated and lying in Lee county ; and part of T. 22 N.,
R. 9 E., which is situated and lying in Lee county ; also tliat part of
T. 21 N., R. 8 E., that is south of Rock river. It has since been
limited to a much smaller area by creating out of its original terri-
tory. Nelson, South Dixon and the northwest part of Nachusa town-
ships. The present town of Dixon is located in the northwest quar-
ter of the county of Lee ; being bounded on the north by Ogle
county, on the east by Nachusa, on the south by South Dixon, and
on the west by Palmyra township ; and may be described as follows :
beginning at the range line between eight and nine east, on the coun-
ty line between Lee and Ogle counties, and extending east on said
line to Rock river ; thence up said river to a point half a mile east of
section-line three east ; thence south to the center of section thirty-
five ; thence east one mile to the center of section thirty-six ; thence
south one mile to the center of section two, township twenty-one
north, range nine east ; thence west half a mile to section line be-
tween sections two and three ; thence south half a mile to section
line ; thence west to range line between eight and nine east ; thence
north on said line to the place of beginning. The northern line is
irregular, as it follows the river course where it makes a detour
north and south ; and the eastern boundary is made to deviate from
a direct line for local accommodations. It is four and a half miles
at its widest point east and west, and six north and south, embrac-
ing an area of about nineteen square miles.

The natural scenery of Dixon township surpasses, in beauty and
variety, an}^ other township in Lee county, presenting a series of
rugged bluffs, rounded hills, declining slopes, green lawns, and shady

174 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY,

groves, through which meander laughing brooks, with here and there
flowing fountains of purest water. And through the midst of this
park of natural scenery flow majestically and peacefully the waters
of Rock river. Numerous islands set with green grass and fringed
with small forest trees adorn the river in its course through the
township, presenting additional attractions to the eyes of the admir-
ers of the beautiful in nature. The river enters the township on the
north near the middle of the boundary line, flowing southeast to
within a quarter of a mile of the east line ; then bearing to the
southwest it passes the city of Dixon and emerges from the township
half a mile north of the southwest corner ; thus traversing the length
and breadth of the township.

The town of Dixon is well supplied with the purest of water, fur-
nished by fountains which burst from the hills and blufts, and send
their rivulets through the farms to quench the thirst of the herds
that graze upon the rich pastures.

The drainage of the township is good, as will be readily seen by
reference to the geography of tlie territcn-y whicli it embraces. The
land is generally rolling, and blufly along the river. It is also well
supplied with timber of valuable varieties and best quality. Most
of the great trees of the primeval forest, however, have fallen before
the woodman's axe. The tall oaks, poplars, black walnuts, and
hickory have given place to timber of smaller growth. Though the
grand forest of half a century is gone, there are yet groves and
forests of the finest timber ; oak of diiferent varieties abound, with
here and there beautiful groves of thrifty young hickory.

The soil is fertile and adapted to most varieties of products —
spring and winter wheat, oats, corn, etc. Its pasturage and water
supply adapts it to stock-growing ; the growth of clover and blue-
grass not being surpassed in any part of the country. The citizens
who give attention to this department obtain the most favorable
results, paying a larger per cent than grain-growing in other parts
of the state.

The supply of building stone is unequaled by any other township
in the county, and unsurpassed in quality. Quarries are opened
along both sides of the river, furnishing a yellow sand and limestone
of durable quality, and the blue limestone of the finest building
material. The supply seems inexhaustible for generations to come ;
and the same may be said of the supply of lime-producing rock,
from which is manufactured the finest quality of lime. Extensive
quarries are being worked, and large quantities of lime are being
produced. A superior quality is manufactured at the quarry above
the water-power, within the city of Dixon.

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 175

THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF DIXON'S FERRY.

The first settlers of Dixon township have received some notice
in connection with the early settlement of Dixon's Ferry. Outside
of the city of Dixon we find the first settlements embraced in the
present township of Dixon began in the fall or winter of 1834. Dr.
Forest, from Kentucky, settled on what is now known as the Wood-
lord farm, situated on the east side of the river above Dixon. Geo.
A. Martin settled on the place afterward known as the Trueman
farm. Mr. Bennett settled near Grand Detour, at the place where
the ferry was subsequently built. Here he built a shanty and cov-
ered it with bark. The following year he removed east. About the
same time Geo. A. Brown settled on alarm next below Mr. Bennett.
These four families were here when Mr. Joseph Crawford came in
the spring of 1835, and settled south of Grand Detour. These all
settled on unimproved land, and in the summer of 1835 commenced
opening up farms.

Tliese were followed by Mr. McClure. Mr. Rue, on the Baily
farm ; Mr. Carpenter, on the Hetler farm ; and in the spring of
1837 -lames M. Santee, Solomon Shellhammer, Elijah Bowman, Mr.
Carlton, and a Mr. Richards. In 1838 Nathan Hetler settled on the
place first occupied by Mr. Carpenter.

In 1838 ''Gov." Alexander Charters having come from Ireland,
settled on the ''Hazelwood" farm, two miles north of Dixon, and
improved a fine farm. As early as 1840 his home was far-famed as
a hospitable and pleasant retreat for visitors to this part of the coun-
try, and was the place specially mentioned by William C. Bryant,
the poet, after his visit to Rock River in 1841. In 1843 Alfred K.
and J. C. Buckalu, from Pennsylvania, settled in the same neigh-
borhood. They are both deceased ; Joseph C. died September 11,
1852, and Alfred died March 24, 1864.

The first brick manufactured in the county is said to have been
used in the construction of "Gov." Alx. Charters' residence on the
Hazelwood farm, referred to above, and the building to be the first
frame house in Lee county.

The early travel through the northern part of the state crossed
Dixon township. The first wagon team that passed from Peoria to
Galena, through the central Rock river country, by O. W. Kellogg,
in the early summer of 1827, passed through the township, crossing
Rock river at the head of the island opposite "Gov." Charters'
home ; on which line was established what was known as Kellogg's
Trail. Many fortune-seekers on their way to the northern mines
passed over this route. The second route, which was first traveled
by John Boles, left the pioneer trail of (>. W. Kellogg some miles

170

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

below the present site of Dixon, and crossed the river a little above
the present crossing of the Illinois railroad bridge at that city, leav-
ing the former trail to the right. This became the recognized route
between the settlements on the Illinois river and mining districts of
northern Illinois. In 1829 another route was established from Ogee's
Ferry on the river t(j Buffalo Grove, and became the regular stage
route. Traces of this route are yet seen from Dixon, through the
opening in the forest on the northwestern liills from the city, and
being covered with green grass, it is in striking contrast with what
it was fifty years ago when beaten down l)y constant travel, or cut
into furrows by the heavy wheels of the prairie schooners and stage
coaches ; but now, like a beautiful narrow lawn, it stretches away
through the shade of the heavy forest. But as reference is made to
the early improvemeits of the territory of Dixon township in connec-
tion with the early days of Lee county we refer the reader to that
part of our work.

Dixon township was the great theater ground of many of the in-
cidents of the pioneer days of this locality when it was embraced in
Ogle county. It was long the home of the red-man, its groves and
prairies his hunting-grounds, and the Rock river his fishery ; the
many springs of pure water gave him drink ; here are buried his
dead, his forefathers who once joined in tlie chase and whose war-
whoop mingled with the shouts of the braves, sleej) 'neath the shades
of Rock river forests. And it is not strange that the ''last of the
Winnebagoes in Dixon '' was the closing history of the Indian tribes
in northei'u Illinois.

There are many interesting incidents of the early days of Dixon
township, related by the old citizens, of adventures with the savages
and wild beasts. The most troublesome of the latter was the large
gray wolf which came down the river forests to commit depredations,
and on the first suspicion that he was hunted for would retreat back
to his favorite haunts in the shades of Wisconsin.

TOWN 0FFJ(;KRS FOK DIXON TOWNSHIP.

DATE. SUPBBVieOB. CLERK. ASSESSOR. COLLECTOR.

1850

J. T. Little.

J. B. 1

Gregory.

E. B. Stiles.

E. W. Hine.

1851

J. V. Eustace.

N. F.

Porter.

E. W. nine.

Jas. Hatch.

1852

Same.

J.B.I

Gregory.

Jos. Crawford.

Ozias Wheeler

1853

J. B. Brooks.

Same

A. Brown.

S. Y. Cleaver.

1854

Jos. Crawford.

T. W

. Eustace.

J. M. Johnson.

Ozias Wheeler.

1855

Cyrus Aldridge.

Same.

A. Brown.

Same.

1856

.T. B. Nash.

Same

Jos. Crawford.

J. W. Clute.

1857

Same.

Same.

A. N. Barnes.

John Brown.

1858

Same.

Same.

Same.

Same.

1859

Same.

Same.

J. H. Cropsey.

H. S. Mead.

1860

A. U. Hazen.

J. C.

Ay res.

Geo. L. Herrick.

Same.

UIXON TOWJNSJIIP.

177

DATE.

SUPERVISOR.

CLERK.

ASSESSOR.

COLLECTOR.

1861

.J. G. Fleck.

J. C. Ayre.s.

J. H. Burton.

H. S. Mpud.

1862

Jas. Reardon.

Same.

A. N. Barnes.

A. McPherran.

1863

W. H. Van Epps.

Same.

V. Santee.

W. V. Mason.

1864

J. B. Crawford.

Same.

Samuel Fargo.

N. S. Davis.

1865

L. A. Divine.

Same.

V. Santee.

H. S. Mead.

1866

Same.

Same.

0. Wheeler.

J. B. Crawford.

1867

David Welty,

Same.

Same.

Same.

1868

Same.

Same.

J. B. Crawford.

Jas. H. Crawford.

1869

Same.

J. Crawford.

Same.

0. Wheeler.

Palmer Atkins.

1870

Lorenzo Wood.
J. Courtright.

Same.

J. Uhl.

M. M. Evens.

1871

L. Wood.
P. Cheney.

J. H. Downs.

0. Wheeler.

F. H. Babbitt.

1872

L. Wood.
P. Cheney.

F. H. Babbitt.

D. B. McKenney.

W. H. Laing.

1873

L. Wood.
P. Cheney.

Same.

Same.

C. W. Benjamm.

1874

L. Wood.

Same.

Same.

Jas. Tracy.

<i

P. Cheney.

1875

L. Wood.
P. Cheney,

Same.

Same.

H. K. Strong.

1876

L. Wood.
M. Burket.

Same.

Same.

0. A. Webb.

1877
11

L. Wood.
A. Barlow.

Same.

Same.

M. Maloney.

1878

L. Wood.
H. Hetler.

Same.

Same.

T. L. Wood.

1879

L. Wood.
H. Hetler!

Palmer Atkins.

Same.

M. Rock.

1880

L. Wood.
H. Hetler.

Same.

Same.

J. Reuland.

1881

L. Wood.
H. Hptler.

Same.

Same.

W. N. Vann.

John Morse was appointed first assessor for the county March
7, 1840.

OLD SETTLERS RECORD OF DIXON AND VICINITY.

Alexander, P.M., born in New York, 1820; arrived 1838; living in Dixon.

Ayres, 0. F., born in New York, 1809; arrived 1839; living in Dixon.

Ayres, D. B., born in New York, 1834; arrived 1839; living in Dixon.

Armstrong, Jacob, born in New York, 1815; arrived 1840; now at Fort Collins, Colo.

Atkinson, Wesley, born in Indiana, 1830; arrived 1838; settled in Palmyra: left about

1855.
Brookner, Christopher, born m Germany, 1817; arrived 1837; died October 9, 1879.
Brookner, Daniel, born m Germany, 1803; arrived 1837; died July 23, 1854.
Barber, Nathanal, born in New York; arrived 1837.

Bowman, S. M., born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1837; now in Kansas City, Missouri.
Bowman, Elijah, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1840; cousin of S. M.; living in Boone

county.
Bunner, Thomas S., born in New York; arrived 1837; died in Indiana.
Bayley, Carlton, born in New York, 1819; arrived 1839; died about 1873.

178 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Bayley, Richard, born in New York; arrived 1838; died in New York city about 1850.
Burroughs, Wm. P., born in New York; arrived 1835; moved to Wisconsin.
Burroughs, Henry, born in New York; arrived 1840; moved to California; dead.
Barr, James B., arrived 1836; dead.

Bogardas, Wells, born in New York; arrived 1836; dead.

Benjamin, Horace, born in New York, 1812; arrived 1838; died October 28, 1850.
Benjamin, James, born in New York, 1817; arrived 1838; living m Dixon.
Beardsley, Daniel, born in New York; arrived 1835; died in Palmyra. 1839.
Bethea, William W., born in Tennessee, 1812; arrived 1835; living in Dixon.
Brown, Abram, born in Canada, 1816; arrived 1837; living in south Dixon.
Brown, David, born in Connecticut, 1806; arrived 1836; died in 1849.
Brown, John, born in Vermont, 1808; arrived 1836; died August 1878.
Brown, Nathan, born in Vermont; arrived 1836; living in Connecticut.
Brown, Thomas W., born in Connecticut; arrived 1840; living in Franklin Grove.
Brown, B. B., arrived 1835.

Bush, William T., born in Kentucky; arrived 1835; started a ferry at the J. T. Law-
rence place; died in 1838.
Bush, E. B., born in Kentucky; arrived 1835; went to Iowa in 1843.
Bennett, Orwin, born in New England; arrived 1834.
Blair, Martin, born in Kentucky, 1829; arrived 1839; living in Palmyra.
Boardman, I. S., born in New York, 1816; arrived 1837; living in Palmyra.
Boardman, T. D., born in New York, 1812; arrived 1839; living in Palmyra.
Birdsall, David H., born in New York; arrived 1837; died December 1868.
Brower, Martin W., born in Germany, 1816; arrived 1839; living in Palmyra.
Brower, Lewis, born in Germany; arrived 1839; died in Nelson, 1872.
Baggs, John, born in Ohio, 1823; arrived 1836; living in Iowa.
Becker, Charles A., born in Prussia, 1810; lari'ived 1839; died February 7, 1859.
Beach, William W., born in New York, 1805; arrived 1840; died in Geneseo.
Butler, Timothy A., born in New York, 1817; arrived 1838; living in Palmyra.
Brierton, Joseph, born in Pennsylvania, 1797; arrived 1837; living east of Dixon.
Brandon, Edward, born in Pennsylvania, 1795; arrived 1837; died October. 1839.
Brandon, Benjamin, born in Pennsylvania, 1815; arrived 1837; living near Nachusa.
Brandon, John, born in Pennsylvania, 1801; arrived 1837; died about 1839.
Beede, Noah, born in New Hampshire, 1802; arrived 1836; died in Palmyra, 1854.
Beede, Allen A., born in New Hampshire, 1835; arrived 1836; living in Palmyra.
Bishop, Caldwell, born in New York, 1818; arrived 1837; living in Dixon.
Bradshaw, W. T., born in New York; arrived 1838.

Baker, Tutt, born in Kentucky; arrived 1835; started a ferry at Dr. Everett's farm.
Brookie, John, born in Kentucky; arrived 1836; living in St. Louis.
Carr, John, born in Scotland; arrived 1837; went to Hong Kong, China.
Cutshaw, John, born in Ohio; arrived 1835.
Cutshaw, Joshua, born in Ohio; arrived 1835.

Crawford, Joseph, born in Pennsylvania. 1811; arrived 1835; living in Dixon.
Crowell, Moses T., born in New Hampshire, 1811; arrived 1838; went to California.
Crowell, Solon, born in New Hampshire; arrived 1838; living in Ogle county.
Colwell, J. C, born in Ireland; arrived 1840; dead.
Crosby, Edward, born in New York; arrived 1840; died at Fulton.
Crosby, Elisha, born in New York; arrived 1840.
Coe, Frederick W., born in New York; arrived 1836; dead.
Coe, Henry, born in New York, 1814; arrived 1837; died July 5, 1858.
Chamberlin, Cyrus, born in New York, 1814; arrived 1835; living in Grand Detour.
Chapman, Charles, born in New York; arrived 1836; dead.
Chapman, George, born in New York; arrived 1836.

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 179

Chase, George W., born in Maine; arrived 1837; dead.

Chase, Charles T., born in Maine; arrived 1839; died August 28, 1851.

Charters, Alexander, born in Ireland, 1817; arrived 1838; died at Hazel wood farm

September 18, 1878.
Charters, Samuel, born in Ireland, 1800; arrived 1837; nephew of Alexander.
Carley, James, born in New York; arrived 1839; died in Geneseo.
Campbell, Alexander, born in England, 1820; arrived 1839; living in California.
Cantrall, Samuel, born in 1792; arrived 1836; moved to Sangamon county.
Cantrall, David; arrived 1836; living in Iowa; moved in 1853.
Crafton, George, born in Ireland; arrived 1837; dead.

Courtright, Joseph, bora in Penosylvania; arrived 1837; died September 1840.
Courtright, Elisha, born in Pennsylvania, 1795; arrived 1840; died November 1. 1871.
Coui-tright, Abraham, born in Pennsylvania, 1818; arrived 1840; living in Nebraska.
Courtright, John, born in Pennsylvania, 1820; arrived 1840; living two miles east of

Dixon.
Courtright, Christopher, born in Pennsylvania, 1822; arrived 1840; living in Nebraska.
Courtright, Jacob B., born in Pennsylvania, 1826; arrived 1840; living in Nebraska.
Courtright, G. W., born in Pennsylvania, 1830; arrived 1840; died in the spring of 1872.
Courtright, Erastus G., born in Pennsylvania, 1832; arrived 1840; living in Dixon.
Cropsey, J. M., born in New York, 1818; arrived 1839; living in Dixon.
Cambell, James, born in Pennsylvania, 1814; arrived 1838; dead.
Covell, E. W., arrived 1836.

Cogswell, Abner, born in New York, 1812; arrived 1840; living in Nelson township.
Cleaver, Joseph, born in Pennsylvania, 1821; arrived 1838; dii-d July 23, 1854.
Clute, John W., born in New York, 1820; arrived 1840; living in Dixon.
Crary, Mason, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1839; living m Iowa.
Crary, Beach, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1839; living at Elkhorn Grove.
Caldwell, John, born in Ireland; arrived 1839; died about 1844.
Dixon. John, born in New York, 1784; arrived 1830; died July 6, 1876.
Dixon, James P., born in New York, 1811; arrived 1830; died April 5, 1853.
Dixon, John W., born in New York, 1817; arrived 1830; died March 20, 1847.
Dixon, Elijah, born in New York, 1819; arrived 1830; died March 15, 1843.
Davy, James, born in England, 1840; died in Ogle county.

Dutcher, Frederick R., born in Connecticut. 1805; arrived 1838; living in Amboy.
Dutcher, Wells, born in Connecticut; arrived 1838.
Dills, George, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1838; dead.
Dornan, Mark, born in Ireland, 1815; arrived 1839; living in Dixon.
Dornan, James, born in Ireland, 1820; arrived 1839; died about 1874.
Depuy, Harmon, born in Pennsylvania, 1797; arrived 1839; died September 15, 1856.
Depuy, Jacob, born in Pennsylvania, 1829; arrived 1839; living in Dixon.
Depuy, William, born in Pennsylvania, 1834; arrived 1839; living in Dixon.
Dingman, John, born in Canada; arrived 1840.
Dement, John, born in Tennessee, 1805; arrived 1840; moved family here in 1845;

living in Dixon.
Dement, Charles, born in Illinois, 1818; arrived 1840; died in December 1875.
Dickerman, Alanson, arrived 1886.

Deyo, Garrett F., born in Vermont, 1785; arrived 1836; died in 1848.
Dudley, Jeremiah, born in New York, 1818; arrived 1840; died in 1848."
Davis, Joseph, bern in New York. 1787; arrived 1840; died Noveml'i-r 26. 1851.
Davis, J. W., born in Canada. 1821; arrived 1840; died May 4, 1874.
Davis, George W., born in Canada, 1825; arrived 1840; died December 12, 1855.
Davis, Cyrus A., born in Nfw Hiunpshire, 1825; arrived 1889; settled in Amboy; came

to Dixon in 1858.

180 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Daley, John, arrived 1819; living in Oi-ti'gon.

Everett, Dr. Oliver, born in Massachusetts, 1811; arrived 1836; living in Dixon.

Fuller, Stephen, born 1797; arrived 1836; living three miles east of Dixon.

Fellows, Stephen, born in New Hampshire, 1786; arrived 1834; died February 8, 1840.

Fellows, Michael, born in New Hampshire, 1810; arrived 1834; living in Wisconsin.

Fellows, Simon, born in New Hampshire, 1815; arrived 1834; living in Whiteside
county.

Fellows, Samuel, born in New Hampshire, 1818; arrived 1834; died June 1863.

Fellows, William, born in New Hampshire, 1820; arrived 1834; living in Wisconsin.

Fellows, Alfred, born in New Hampshire, 1822; arrived 1834; living in Iowa.

Fellows, George, born in New Hampshire, 1826; arrived 1834; living in California.

Fellows, Albion, born in New Hampshire, 1827; arrived 1834; died in 1865.

Fellows, Stephen, born in New Hampshire, 1830; arrived 1834; living in Iowa.

Fry, John, born in Pennsylvania, 1813; arrived 1838; living near Dixon.

Fender, Absalom, born in North Carolina; arrived 1835; died in 1848.

Fender, Martin, born in North Carolina; arrived 1835; died about 1860.

Fender, Solomn, born in North Carolina, 1811; arrived 1835; died in Palmyra, Novem-
b<-r 1873.

Fender, Jesse, born in Indiana, 1821; arrived 1835; living in Palmyra.

Fender, John, born in Indiana, 1825; arrived 1835; living in Missouri.

Fender, Hiram, born in Indiana, 1827; arrived 1835; died at Elkhorn Grove, August
21, 1879.

Fender, James, born in Indiana, 1832; arrived 1835; died in January 1880.

Foot, George, born in New York, 1828; arrived 1839; died 1879.

Forrest, Dr., born in Kentucky; arrived 1834; returned to Kentucky.

Graham, Capt. Hugh, born in Ireland, 1774; arrived 1838; died in New York city
about 1853.

Graham, William W., born in New York, 1817; arrived 1837; died in ^Montana terri-
tory, March 1878.

Gilbraith, Smith, born in New York, 1810; arrived 1835; died February 5, 1843.

Garrison, Mathias F., born in Pennsylvania, 1820; arrived 1840; living in Nebraska;
moved in 1878.

Goble. James, born in Pennsylvania, 1811; arrived 1837; living in Dixon.

Gray, A. F., born in "Vermont, 1819; arrived 1839; died in Missouri, 1876.

Gaston, Chancy, born in New York, 1782; arrived 1835; died in Palmyra, March 7»
1876.

Gaston, Rev. A., born in New York, 1809; arrived 1835; died in Galesburg, Decem-
ber 21, 1849.

Gaston, Chancy T., born in New York, 1812; arrived 1835; died at Elgin, June 11,
1854.

Gaston, Levi, born in New York, 1814; arrived 1835; living in Palmyra.

Gaston, Charles E., born in New York, 1817; arrived 1835; died in California, July
14, 1852.

Gaston, Henry, born in New York, 1822; arrived 1835; died at Galesburg, September
23, 1849.

Gregory, J. B., born in Ohio, 1810; arrived 1838; died 1854.

Hubbard, Charles F., born in New York, 1817; arrived 1837; living three miles west of
Dixon.

Hubbard, Thomas S., born in New York; arrived 1837; brother of Charles; living
in Kansas.

Hubbard, Oliver, born in New Hampshire; arrived 1835; father of M. D. M. Hub-
bard; died September 16, 1840.

Hine. E. W., born in New York, 1810; arrived 1836; di.-,l May 1874

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 181

Hamilton, J. W., born in New York; arrived 1886.

Hufi, Lemuel, born in Canada; arrived 1835; went to California.

Hetler, Nathan, born in Pennsylvania, 1819; arrived 1837; died May 21, 1877.

Hetler, Hiram, born in Pennsylvania, 1837; arrived 1837; living near Dixon.

Hetler, Jesse, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1837; living near Dixon.

Hetler, Jeremiah, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1837; living near Dixon.

Hetler, John, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1837; living near Dixon.

Hetler, John, born in Germany, 1809; arrived 1840; living in Dixon.

Heaton, W. W., born in New York, 1814; arrived 1840; diedpecember 1877.

Heaton, James, born in New York; arrived 1840; living near Dixon.

Herrick, Samuel, born in New York, 1807: arrived 1840; died April 6, 1864.

Herrick, 0. F., born in Canada, 1836; arrived 1840; living in Bureau county.

Holly, George, born in New York; arrived 1838; died 1843.

Holly, Augustus, born in New York; arrived 1838.

Holly, Jesse, born in Canada; arrived 1835; dead.

Holly, David A., born in Canada, 1806; arrived 1835; dead.

Holly, James N., born in Canada, 1808; arrived 1835; living in Palmyra.

Hamill, Patrick, born in Ireland, 1818; arrived 1838; died 1862.

Hinton, Pleasant, born in Kentucky; arrived 1840; died July 1844.

Hankerson, James, born in New York; arrived 1840; died in California.

Hollbrook, L. G., arrived 1840.

HoUbrook, Charles, arrived 1840; living in Polo.

Hatch, Charles, born in New Hampshire, 1814; arrived 1840; living in Dixon.

Hatch, James, born in New Hampshire, 1816; arrived 1840; living in Dixon. [Here
as early as 1836.]

Howard, S. G. P., arrived 1839; moved to Chicago.

Herrick, George L., born in Vermont, 1815; arrived 1837; came to Grand Detour
1837, Dixon 1851.

Hutton, Fletcher, arrived 1838; died in Palmyra, May 27, 1879.

Hutton, Neamiah, born in Pennsylvania, 1815; arrived 1838; living at State Center
Illinois.

Hutton, William, born in Pennsylvania, 1790; arrived 1838; died in Sterling.

Johnson, Samuel, arrived 1836; died at Fulton, Illinois.

Johnson, George M., born in Michigan; arrived 1839; died January 19, 1878.

Johnson, Avery, born in Michigan, arrived 1839; living in Dixon.

Johnson, Henry, born in Michigan; arrived 1839; dead.

Johnson, Charles, born in Michigan; arrived 1839; dead.

Johnson, William Y.,'born in Massachusetts, 1810; arrived 1838; died in Iowa, Au-
gust 28, 1873.

Johnson, J. M., born in Massachusetts, 1814; arrived 1838; living in Palmyra.

Johnson, Ebenezar H., born in New York, 1810; arrived 1838; living in Palmyra.

Jennis, Albert, born in New Hampshire, 1817; arrived 1836; moved to Iowa.

Jones, "WiUiam, born in New York, 1817; arrived 1835; died about 1845.

Jnyers, John, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1836.

Kerr, M. P.; arrived 1836; moved to Galena, Illinois.

Kerr, James N., born in Pennsylvania, 1807; arrived 1838; dead.

Kennedy, William, born in New York, 1818; arrived 1839; died 1874.

Kirkpatrick, ; arrived 1835.

Loveland, Otis, born in New York, 1787; arrived 1837; died September 29, 1839.

Loveland, Richard B., born m New York, 1819; arrived 1837; died August 29, 1851.

Loveland, H. G., born in New York; arrived 1839; living in California.

Lovejoy, James, arrived 1839; dead.

Little, J. T., born in Maine, 1817; arrived 1839; now in Washington.

182 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Lummison. Joseph, born in Pennsylvania, 1796; arrived 1838; dead.

Lummison, John, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1838; son of Joseph.

Lord. John, born in New Hampshire, 1804; arrived 1838; died January 1873.

Lord. John L., born in New Hampshire, 1829; arrived 1838; living in Palmyra.

Lord, Augustus, born in New Hampshire; arrived 1838; dead.

Law, David, born in New York, 1772; arrived 1839; died October 3, 1845.

Law, David H., born in New York. 1831; arrived 1839; living in Sterling.

Law. William, born in New York, 1834; arrived 1839; died December 1842.

Lawrence, J. Tharp, born in Island Jamaica; arrived 1839; died in New York city 1847-

Lawrence, J. Tharp, jr., born in Island Jamaica, 1819; arrived 1839; living in Palmyra.

Lawrence, Rickets, born in Island Jamaica; arrived 1839; living in New York city.

Lane, Charles A., arrived 1840; returned to Pennsylvania.

Linghan, J. G., born in England, 1810; arrived 1839; living in New Orleans.

McKenney, Mathew, born in Canada; arrived 1836; died in 1847.

McKenney, Peter, born in New York. 1798; arrived 1836; died March 27, 1870.

McKenney, Daniel B., born in New York, 1816; arrived 1836; living in Dixon.

McKenney, V. R., born in Canada 1832; arrived 1846; living in South Dixon.

McKenney, Frederick, born in New York, 1806; arrived 1837; living in Dixon.

McKenney, James, born in New York, 1804; arrived 1837; died April 8, 1865.

McKenney, Henry B., born in New York, 1810; arrived 1840; died February 1, 1856.

Morehouse, Nathan, born in New York, 1800; arrived 1835; died June 1878.

Morehouse, T. C, born in New York, 1828; arrived 1835; living in Dixon.

Mudd, , arrived 1836.

Morrill, N. 6. H., born in New Hampshire, 1808; arrived 1838; living in Dixon.

Morrill, Jacob, born in New Hampshire, 1818; arrived 1838; living in New Hamp-
shire.

McCleary, A., arrived 1840; dead.

McCabe. Thomas, born in Ohio; arrived 1837; living in California.

McCabe, Moses, born in Ohio; arrived 1838.

Moon, Abner D.. arrived 1837; died 1877.

Murphy, Jeremiah, born in Maine; arrived 1840; living in New York.

Murphy, A. T., born in Kentucky, 1812; arrived 1840; died June 17, 1861.

McClure, Samuel, born in Ireland; arrived 1834; living in Stark county, Illinois.

McClure, Thomas, born in Ireland, 1798; arrived 1840; died in Iowa.

Millard, William, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1840; living in Boone county.

March, Thomas, born in New York; arrived 1839; died in Mexico, 1850.

Mead, Heman, born in New York, 1809; arrived 1839; moved to California, 1874.

Morse, John; arrived 1837; went to California.

Murray, Robert; arrived 1840; dead.

Murray, Joseph; arrived 1840.

Montieth, John; arrived 1836.

Morgan, Isaac, born in Ohio, 1798; arrived 1834; dead.

Morgan, Joshua, born in Ohio; arrived 1839; dead.

Morgan, John, born in Ohio, 1806; arrived 1834; living in Iowa.

Morgan Harvey, born in Ohio. 1810; arrived 1834; died August 16, 1880.

Miller, Henry, born in Germany; arrived 1837; died 1878.

Miller, John I., born in Germany, 1806; arrived 1842.

Martin, George A., born in Kentucky; arrived 1834; returned to Kentucky.

Martin, William, born in New Hampshire; arrived 1836; died 1844.

Martin, Charles A., born in New Hampshire. 1830; arrived 1836; living in Palmyra.

Martin, James F., born in New Hampshire, 1804; arrived 1839; eetth^d in Walnu
Grove, 1834. Living in Palmyra.

Martin. Jacob, born in New Hampshire, 1808; arrived 1836; living in Palmyra.

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 183

Martin, Tyler, born in New Hampshire, 1830; arrived 1836; living in Palmyra.

Mason, William V., born in New York; arrived 1839; moved to Iowa.

Myers, William, born in Pennsylvania, 1813; arrived 1836; living in Palmyra.

McGraw, Edward, born in Ireland, 1813; arrived 1840.

Moore, John, born in England, 1790; arrived 1847; died in 1854.

Moore, John H., born in England, 1835; arrived 1847; living in Dixon.

Moore, Hugh, born in New Hampshire; arrived 1836; dead.

Moore, Rufus, born in New Hampshire; arrived 1836; dead.

Moore, James, born in New Hampshire; arrived 1835; dead.

Moores, Josiah, born in New York; arrived 1840; dead.

Moores, John, born in New York; arrived 1840; living in Iowa.

Moores, James, born in New York; arrived 1840; living in Iowa.

Moores, Timothy, born in New York; arrived 1840; living in Dakota.

Moores, Josiah, born in New York; arrived 1840; living in California.

McComsey, I. D., born in 1813; arrived 1839; died March 16, 1848.

Messer, Gilbert, born in New Hampshire, 1812; arrived 1844; living in South Dixon.

McNeal, Thomas, born in Ireland, 1805; arrived 1840; dead.

Meyer, John, born in Pennsylvania, 1797; arrived 1838; living in Dixon township.

Mowrey, Philip, born in Pennsylvania, 1810; arrived 1840; died in Iowa, August 1878.

Neherhiah, John, born in Germany, 1806; arrived 1840; moved to Stephenson county,

Illinois; dead.
Noble, Silas, born in Massachusetts, 1808; arrived 1841; dead.
Newman, John, born in Kentucky; arrived 1839; dead.
Newman, Manly, born in Kentucky; arrived 1839; dead.
Newman, Richard, born in Kentucky; arrived 1839; living in Dixon.
Newman, Jesse, born in Kentucky; arrived 1839; dead.

Nash, J. B., born in New York; arrived 1838; died near Pike's Peak, Colorado, 1864.
O'Neal, John, born in Ireland, 1800; arrived 1837; died 1873.
O'Brien, Daniel, born in Ireland, 1819; arrived 1838.
Obrist, Abram, arrived 1837; died in Palmyra 1850.
Obrist, Daniel, arrived 1836; drowned in Elkhorn creek.
O'Kane, John, arrived 1837; dead.

Oliver, J. C, born in Pennsylvania, 1804; arrived 1837; living in Sterling.
Page, John H., born in New Hampshire, 1807; arrived 1834; died in Iowa.
Page, Thomas, born in England; arrived 1836; dead.
Page, Henry, born in Germany. 1820; arrived 1839; dead.
Parks, Hiram, born in New York, 1809; arrived 1836; living in Palmyra.
Parker, Solomon, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1840; dead.
Patterson, David, born in New York; arrived 1838; dead.
Peacock, Joseph, born in Ohio, 1796; arrived 1837; died January 13, 1871. .
Peacock, William, born in Ohio, 1817; arrived 1837; living near Dixon.
Peacock, Charles, born in Ohio, 1823; arrived in 1837; living in Polo.
Plummer, Thomas, born in Ohio; arrived in 1837; moved to Iowa.
Plummer, John, born in Ohio; arrived 1837.

Plummer, Caleb, born in Ohio, 1806; arrived 1837; moved to Iowa.
Porter, Aaron L., born in New York, 1808; arrived 1828; dead.
Porter, James, born in New York, 1814; arrived 1840; died at Harmon, July 15, 1880.
Porter, Jerome, born in New York; arrived 1840; living in California.
Porter, N. F., born in New York, 1820; arrived 1840.
Powers, Joseph, born in Massachusetts, 1786; arrived 1838; dead.
Powers, Abijah, born in Massachusetts, 1814; arrived in 1838; living in Palmyra,
Power, James, born in Kentucky, 1791; arrived 1835; died in Missouri.
Power, Thomas, born in Kentucky, 1819; arrived 1835; living in Missouri.

184 HISTORY or LEE COUNTY.

Pratt, Julius, born in Pennsylvania; arriv^il 1835; died in Sterling.

Pratt, Marshall, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1838.

Preston, Horace, born in New Hampshire, 1819; arrived 1838; living in Dixon.

Purington, George, born in Maine; arrived 1839; living in Freeport.

Robinson, John K., born in Ohio, 1809; arrived May 1832; living in Mendota.

Eathbone, Ward, born in England; arrived 1838.

Eichards, John, born in England, 1793; arrived 1836; died June 1, 1854.

Eichards, James, born in Canada, 1825; arrived 1836; living in Dixon.

Eichards, William, arrived 1836; living in Moline.

Eichardson, Martin, born in Massachusetts, 1800; arrived 1835; living in Sterling.

Richardson, Orrin, born in Kentucky; arrived 1835.

Eue, Jacob, ariived 1836.

Eosebrook Lyman, born in New Hampshire, 1817; arrived 1836; went to Colorado.

Eogers, Walter, born in 1820; arrived 1839; living in Palmyra.

Steevens, Dewit C, arrived 1838; went to California.

Shelhamer Solomon, born in Pennsylvania, 1798; arrived 1837; died April 1879.

Scheel, Orrin, arrived 1838; dead.

Seward, William, born in Pennsylvania.; arrived 1838; dead.

Southwick, Edward, born in New York, 1812; arrived 1840; died in Amboy. .

Sargent, Eobert, arrived 1839.

Santee, James M., born in Pennsylvania, 1802; arrived 1838; died December 1873.

Santee, Samuel, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1838; died in Pennsylvania.

Smith, Barclay, born in Pennsylvania, 1808; arrived 1887; died April 20, 1845.

Smith, Alanson, born in New York, 1817; arrived 1839; living in Mendota.

Stiles, Elias B., born in Pennsylvania, 1820; arrived 1840; living in Dixon.

Stiles, Samuel, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1844; living in Dallas, Oregon.

Stewart, Benjamin H., born in New York, 1809; arrived 1834; died in Missouri.

Sterling, James, born in Pennsylvania, 1805; arrived 1838; brought family here in

1847. Died November 1860.
Seavey, Joshua, born in New Hampshire, 1777; arrived 1837.
Seavey, Jesse, born in New Hampshire, 1811; arrived 1837; dead.
Seavey, Winthrop, born in New Hampshire, 1802; arrived 1837; died about 1865.
Sartorius, Henry G., born in Germany, 1815; arrived 1838; dead.
Sartorius, Gustavus, born in Germany, 1822; arrived 1838; living in Palmyra.
Scallion, Thomas, born in Ireland; arrived 1839; dead.
Scallion, Moses, born in Ireland, 1821; arrived 1839.
Sweeney, Truxton, arrived 1840.
Simonson, A. H., arrived 1837; dead.

Thompson, Horace, born in New York; arrived 1836; died about 1845.
Thompson, John, born in New York; arrived 1837; living at Elkhorn Grove.
Thompson, James, born in New York; arrived 1837; dead.
Thompson, William, born in New York; arrived 1837; dead.

Tallmadge, Caleb, born in Massachusetts, 1798 ; arrived 1837 ; died February 19, 1858.
Truett, Henry B., arrived 1837.

Thummel, Anthony, born in Germany, 1795; arrived 1836; died June 1876.
Thomas, Enoch, born in Ohio; arrived 1835.
Thomas, Noah, born in Ohio, 1813 ; arrived 1835 ; dead.
Van Arnam, John, born in Canada; arrived 1839; dead.

Van Arnam, James, born in Canada, 1827; arrived 1839; living in Marion township.
Wetzlar, Gustavus, born in Germany; arrived 1838; went to California.
Welty, David, born in New York, 1811; arrived 1838; living in Dixon.
Wakalee, Aaron, arrived 1838 ; dead.
Williams, Cyrus, born in Massachusetts, 1797 ; arrived 1837 ; died August 2. 1866.

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 185

Webb, Henry, bora in New York, 1830; arrived 1838; dead.

Wilkinson, William, born in New York; arrived 1835; dead; son of Judge Wilk-
inson, one of the proprietors of the town.

Woodyat, Richard, born in England, 1815; arrived 1840; father of W. H. Woodyat;
died April 1, 1859.

Wheeler, Ozias, born in Vermont, 1812; arrived 1840; dead.

White, David, born in Scotland, 1798; arrived 1840; dead.

Warner, Moses, born in Massachusetts; arrived 1838.

Warner, Henry, born in Massachusetts; arrived 1838; living in Sterling.

Whitmore, S. H., born in New York, 1813; arrived 1836; died May 5, 1873, from
injuries received at bridge accident.

Young, John, born in New York; arrived 1839; living in New York city.

DIXON VOLUNTEERS.

The town of Dixon is credited with about 550 volunteers. Many
of these, however, came from adjacent towns, but are placed on the
roll of honor for Dixon. This is especially true of Palmyra volnn-
teers.

Of the number of soldiers reported from Dixon, there were nine-
teen commissioned officers, and fortj-two non-commissioned. There
were fifty-two promotions, a large number of which were of privates
to commissioned and non-commissioned offices because of merito-
rious service. About twenty-one are reported as having been killed
in battle, or having died from wounds received in battle. Thirty-
five to forty died from sickness in hospitals or at home on sick fur-
lough. Others were discharged because of disease contracted while
in the service, and have since died, and whose deaths do not appear
on the roll of deceased soldiers. Many, at the expiration of their
term of service, reenlisted and joined other regiments than those
to which they originally belonged. Others were appointed on
sjDecial duty and have made honorable records in their several
departments.

Col. H. T, Noble, who was mustered into the United States
service as captain of Co. A, 13th reg. 111. Yols., was appointed
assistant quartermaster, after which he was successively promoted
to the rank of major, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel, chief quarter-
master on the staff of Gen. J. J. Keynolds. In reference to his
service we find the following items of record:

Quartermaster General's Office,

Washington, D.C, August 9, 1864.
Capt. H. T. Noble, A.Q.M., Helena, Arkansas.

Captain: An examination of the Inspection Report of the
Quartermaster's Department of the Department of the Arkansas,
made by Col. D. B. Sackett, inspector-general, dated June 8, 1864,
reveals the fact that you have conducted the quartermaster's busi-

186 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY,

ness, over which you have had control, in a most creditable manner;
that your "books and papers are in most beautiful order, cash ac-
count balanced every night," and that you have the confidence and
esteem of all who know you, because of your integrity, energy and
efficiency.

The quartermaster-general cannot let the opportunity pass with-
out adding his approbation, and commending you for the manifesta-
tion of this best evidence of your genuine patriotism and devoted
loyalty.

The individual who so contributes by his honesty, industry and
zeal to the maintenance of his country's honor in the hour of her
trials shall not be forgotten in the record of the many meritorious
whose high UKjtives have steeled them against taking advantage
of the evil oppc^rtunities on almost every hand, which the weak and
selfish grasp to weaken our cause by the practice of evei-y species of
vileness, losing sight of everything else but self and temporary
selfish gratification.

Such spirits find their ignominious level here and hereafter. But
the true and noble minded live beyond the present; their memories
shall come back laden with joyous messages to gladden the hearth-
stone circle, and the hearts of generations yet to come.

These considerations should encourage us all to the continued
faithful performance of every trust imposed upon us.

I am. Captain, very respectfully.

Your obedient servant.
By order of the quartermaster-general U.S.A.

Brevet major-general
[sd] Geo. Y. Rutherfoed,

A true copy. Capt. and A.Q.M.

H. A. Kkyek,

Brevet major and A.Q.M.

Quaktermastkr-Cteneral"'s Office,

January 13, 1865.
General L. Thomas,

Adjutant-general U.S.A., Washington, D.C.
General: I have the honor to return herewith the letter of
Maj. Gen. J. J. Reynolds, comd'g department of Arkansas, recom-
mending Capt. H. T. JNToble for appointment as colonel and chief
quartermaster of that department, referred to this office by the adju-
tant-general, on the 9th inst., with the following extract from an
inspection report of Col. J. D. Cruttenden, inspector Q.M.D., made
on the 19th of Dec. 1864 :

■^■*i< %.'

^^

ioECEASCOJ

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 189

''I found everythiiiio- under the charge of captain Noble in most
"excellent order, — mules in tine condition, wagons in tine repair,
" forage well stored, steamers unloaded immediately on their arrival,
'• be it night or day ""

''■All books, papers and accounts in the most beautiful order;

"cash account balanced every uight. Have not seen papers bet-

" ter kept anywhere. He stands high with all who know him, as a

"man of intelligence and integrity. I doubt if the quartermaster's

"department can boast of many more elRcient and energetic officers

''than Capt. Xoble. He is certainly capable of filling with credit

"any and all positions in the Q.M. Dept."

* * * * * *

I am, very respectfully.

Your obedient servant,

[sd] Chas. Thomas,

True coi)y. Act'g Q.M.Gen'l Br't Brig. Gen.

H. A. Krykr,

Br't-Maj. and A. Q.M.

John D. Crabtree, Esq., who went out with the 13th reg., was
transferred as second lieutenant to Bowen's Batt. Mo. Cav., Sep-
tember 5, 1861. On November 25, 1862, he was promoted to the
captaincy in command of Co. M, 3d Mo. Cav. He commanded
the escort of Gen. Curtis during the latter's command of the
department of Missouri. He afterward served as judge advocate of
the court-martial division of Ai'kansas, in 1864. Returning home
in that year, he was appointed in service of the government, as
mustering, officer at Springfield, this state. The judge, at difter-
ent times during the service, received honorable mention for deport-
ment as an officer during engagements ; one which may be
especially mentioned was the battle of Pea Ridge, under Gen.
Curtis; and at the close of his service he was commissioned brevet-
major, under the signatures of the President of the United States
and Gen. Stanton, secretary of war, as a token of appreciation of
"faithful and meritorious services."

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Nathan Moorhouse (deceased) was born March l-t, 1801, at New
Fairfield, Connecticut. When he was but two years old his father died,
and at the age of about six years he was bound out to a farmer. Not
liking his guardian he ran away from him when he had reached the
age of thirteen years. He went on board a ship that was about sailing,
and was gone on a seven years' voyage, most of which was on the
Mediterranean sea. When he returned to New York he was engaged
12

190 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

a year or more at navitfation on the Hudson river, and after tliat was-
married to Miss Sarah Airs, of New Paltz, New York, where they
lived until 1827. They then removed to Ohio, and later to Indiana,
and in 1835 to Lee county, Illinois. They located in Palmyra town-
ship, where his property and home was, prineipalh', during his life.
He w^as a very useful and active man in developing the resources of the
county, having opened seven farms in Lee county, and was foremost in
the promotion of law and order in society, at the earlier settlement. He
held several public offices worthy of consideration, but aside from those
of county treasurer, and probably deputy sheriff, we are not reliably
informed. He was the fatiier of nine children, but three of whom are
now living, one of whom, Thomas C. Moorehouse, is living at Dixon,
He died June 18, 1878, in Dixon, and his wife four days later.

William W. Betiiea, farmer, Dixon, son of Philip and Mary (Mill-
sap) Bethea, was born in Marion district. South Carolina, May 15, 1812,
and was of Welsh descent on the paternal side. His father, who served
in the war of 1812, and also in the Creek Indian war which occurred
soon after, migrated from South Carolina to Overton county, Tennes-
see, in fall of 1812, and again removed to Lawrence county, Indiana,
in 1828, where he died in 1831, at the age of fifty-four years, leaving a
family of five sons and two daughters. In the spring of 1835 W. W.
Bethea started westwai-d to seek a home, and being attracted by the
beauty and fertility of the then almost uninhabited Bock River country,
he soon after located a farm in what is now known as Palmyra town-
ship, which he still occupies. Mr. Bethea was one of the earliest set-
tlers of this section and has seen its development from the almost
primeval wilderness of 1835 to the flourishing and populous commu-
nity of to-day. He was elected county treasurer in 1815 and served
two terms. At the organization of Lee county, in 1839, he was elected
justice of the peace, and held that office uninterruptedly until 1877.
Mr, Bethea was mari'ied in Lawrence county, Indiana, in 1833, to Miss
Irena Fender, who died in 1838. He was again married, in 1850, to
Mrs. En)ily (Green) Ferguson, who is still living.

James Goble, ex-sheriff of Lee county, Dixon, was born Jul}' 22,
1811, in Kingston, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He spent his ear-
lier youth at Exeter, Pennsylvania, laboring on his father's farm, and
attending the public schools. At the age of sixteen years he entered
a dry-goods store as clerk, at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. At the end
of three years his health failing, he was obliged to give up confinement
for the farm. In 1837 he came west and settled in Lee county, which
has ever since been his home. In 1838 having purchased a claim and
built a log-house upon it he was married to Christiana Harding, a.

IUXON TOWNSHIP. 191

daughter of a family who cauie to this county from his former home in
Pennsylvania. Mr. Goble states that for some years they lived in this
primitive dwelling as happy as could be. In 18-16 he was elected
county commissioner, and in J 848 he resigned that office and was
elected sheriff. He then left liisfarm and removed to Dixon, where he
has since lived. He has held the office of coroner, and others of minor
importance. Politically he is a democrat, and cast his first vote in
1832 for President Jackson. By the year 1846 all his family had fol-
lowed him to Lee county, and that Fourth of July they held a family
re-union, at which were gathered forty-four members, including grand-
children. He is the father of five children, only one of whom is now
living, Mrs. Wadsworth, of Dixon. He lost his wife in the great
bridge disaster at Dixon, May 4, 1873. She stood on the span at the
north pier, holding a little grandchild in her arms, witnessing a bap-
tismal ceremony. The bridge breaking, she threw the child so near to
shore that it was picked up and brought to life, but she was drowned.
She was a pious lady and died a member of the Baptist church.

Mahlon p. Burket, farmer, Dixon, was born October 31, 1843, in
Blair count}^, Pennsylvania. In June, 1847, his parents removed to
Lee county, Illinois, where he has ever since lived. His whole work
has been farming, and during his youth he received a good common
education at the public schools. He has traveled more, probably,
than a majority of farmers, and is well posted on the general topics of
the day. He succeeded his father in the proprietorship of the old
homestead, a beautiful farm-home two miles from Dixon, on the
Franklin road. Mr. John JST. Burket, the father of the above, pur-
chased this home immediately on coming to Lee county, and has made
it what it now is. He was a quiet but most useful man to -his com-
munity, and has lived a good example. It has been remarked that
his distinguishing characteristic, aside from industry, was his ex-
tremely temperate habits and pure life. He was a member of the
Lutheran church, and the present organization of that denomination
at the city of Dixon was made at a meeting held in his barn at an
early day, Rev. Mr. Stoh officiating. He died January 3, 1865, in
the house which his own hands had built.

John Courtweight, farmer and carpenter, Dixon, was born De-
cember 25, 1820, in Luzerne county, Pennsvlvania. He spent the
earlier part of his life there, laboring on his fathers farm, and received
a common school education. In July, 1840, he emigrated to Lee
count}^ Illinois, where he has since lived. In 1842 he began working
at the carpenter trade, and has pursued it more or less ever since. In
July, 1846, he was married to Lydia, daughter of Joel Whitney,
of Ogle county, Illinois, and they began life together on their present

192 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY,

farm home, about two miles tVom Dixon, on the Franklin i-oad. They
have witnessed the turning- of a wild country, inhabited ehielly by
Indians, into a land of bounty and civilization, braving many dangers
and hardships with which pioneer life in this region was fraught.
Mr. Courtwright owned the first reaping machine brought to Rock
river, and the first threshing machine in Lee county. He helped in
building the first county jail, and also the first church (Methodist
Episcopal) built at Dixon. He is the father of several children, only
one of whom, a daughter, is now living. He has been an indulgent
father and kind husband, and is recognized and respected among his
neighbors. He is a republican in politics, and a Methodist in church
preference.

Isaac Means, dealer in farmers' supplies, Dixon, was born in
Tyrone county, Ireland, November 15, 1815, where he attained a lib-
eral education and was employed at farming. In April, 18-10, he
emigrated to the United States, landing at New York, and in June
following located at Dixon, where he has since lived. For some years
he was engaged at contracting in mason work and house building;
commencing the business on $45, which was all he had. In 1851
he opened a lumber-yard in Dixon, which he continued about ten
years, and then began his present line of farmers' exchange. He has
been very successful in business, notwithstanding he has sustained
some lieavy losses by reposing too much confidence in his fellow men.
He has extensive real estate interests in Lee county and vicinity,
which, taken with his exchange, makes his business one of much
importance. He has been twice married, and has no children. He is
a liberal minded, public-spirited gentleman, and has been a most useful
man to the city and community, socially as well as financially. He
was one of the few who were faithful during the earlier banditti out-
rages through this section, and relates some very hazardous experi-
ences of those times. He is an independent in his religious views, and
accords to all the world liberty of thought upon this subject. For
thirty-eight years he has been a Freemason. Prior to the organization
of the republican party he was a whig, but since then has been a
staunch republican.

Walter Little, sheriff, Dixon, was born September 7, ISil, at Malu-
gin's Grove, Lee county, Illinois. Until sixteen years old he was em-
ployed on his father's farm, and in attending school. At that age he
lost both of his parents, and after that he attended school, mostly at
Paw Paw, until nineteen years old, gaining a liberal education. At
the age of twent}' years he enlisted for a term of three years in Co. F,
1st 111. Light Art., of the U. S. Vols., and passed unharmed, in
the rank and file, through some of the severest battles of the war.

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 193

He took part in nearl}' all the battles of the Georgia campaign. For
some time he was the bearer of a set of colors that were presented to
his company by the citizens of Dixon. At the close of the war, in
1865, he was married to Miss Cornelia F. Nichols, of Malugin's Grove,
and engaged at farming. In the tall of 1880 he was elected sheriff"
of Lee count_y, and is the present very efficient incumbent. He has held
various town offices. He is and has always been a republican in poli-
tics. He subscribes to no church rituals, but favors a decided morality.
He is a member of the order of Freemasons, and has filled various
offices in his lodge. He is also a member of the Knights of the Red
Cross.

It is a rare thing for the writer to be called upon to record the life,
or even a small portion thereof, of a gentleman who has so long
been engaged in an active public life as the subject of this sketch,
Hon. Lorenzo Wood. So varied and numerous has been the range of
his efforts, that to do justice to all would be impossible in the space
which we can allot to it. Judge Wood was born in November 1818,
in Middleburj^, Yermont. LTntil about the age of sixteen years he
worked at the carpentering trade, attending, when he could do so,
the public schools of his native town ; and later he entered the Middle-
bury College, where he obtained a very liberal education. On leaving
college he began the study of law" in a law office at Middlebury,
but soon after (in 1839) concluded to come west. He stopped at
Detroit, Michigan, where he took a three years' course at professional
reading in the office and under the direction of Gov. Woodbridge, of
that city. He left Detroit in 1842 for the west, coming direct to Lee
county, Illinois, which has ever since been his home. In February,
1843, he was admitted and enrolled as an attorney-at-law in Illinois.
The judge states, in connection with this, that he was too poor to af-
ford the expense of a journey to Springfield (as was the custom in
those days), and that he sent a certificate of reading, and made such
other compliance as by the court were held requisite. In return he
received his certificate of admission, which is written on a sheet of
"Congress letter" paper, with a steel pen, and signed by S. A. Doug-
las and S. H. Treat. He immediately opened a law office in the city
of Dixon, and his first four cases were in bankruptcy. He was success-
ful in all of them, and he received fees of $100 each. This gave him
quite a "boost," and was the beginning of many years' successful
practice. A few years after being admitted to the bar he was elected
county judge, which office he held until in 1852, when he resigned and
moved on a farm which he owmed in Lee county. In 1860 the house
and improvements on his farm were almost totally destroyed by the
"Comanche tornado" tliat passed over this section of Illinois, which

194 HISTORY OF LEE OOrj^TY.

very seriously crippled his fortune. In the fall of 1860 he removed to
Dixon, where he has since resided, and has been almost constant!}^ in
public life, filling the offices of master in chancery and internal revenue
assessor ; he has been longer chairman of the board of supervisors than
any other man in Lee county ; and has filled various other minor offices.
In 1865 he purchased an interest in the " Hydraulic Power Company "
at Dixon, which he brought through some legal embarrassment, and
afterward started some manufacturing concerns, which proved losing
undertakings to him, again reducing his property. He has been a
prominent Freemason for many years. His church preferences are for
the Presbyterian. He has been twice married, and is the father of
four children, three of whom are now living. The judge was present
at the organization of the republican party, at Bloomington, and heard
the speeches there; prior to that he had been a whig, but since then
has been a radical republican. Speaking of the leaders of the two
great parties, the judge says that in his boyhood days he played some
pranks upon Stephen A. Douglas, who was then working at carpenter-
ing; that Douglas was the most determined fellow he ever saw, — he
ran after him, finally caught him, and spanked him with a jack-plane ;
he adds that the punishment was just.

Jamp:s C. Mkad, books, stationery, etc., Dixon, was born February
11, ISol, in Monroe county, IS^ew York, and obtained his earlier edu-
cation there. In 1843 he came with his parents to Dixon, Illinois,
he attended the public schools a short time, and later was taken as
clerk in the post-office, under David Birdsall. In the spring of 1819
he concluded to learn a trade, and started to go to Chicago for that
pui-pose. He had $5 in his pocket, and, with a pack of clothing on his
back, he commenced the journey on foot. He had not gone far, how-
ever, when he caught a ride with a farmer, on a load of wheat. It will
be remembered that this was before the days of railroads in this vicin-
ity, and farmers were obliged to haul their produce to Chicago to find
a market, and to bring back dry-goods and lumber for the trade of the
town. Stopping at Naperville for dinner, young Mead met a friend
who was a harness-maker, and who prevailed upon him to stop and
learn that trade with him. In about six months after this the cholera
broke out and his employer died, and after settling the accounts of
the business he returned to Dixon. In the following spring he again
stai'ted out on foot, stopping at Aurora and Xaperville, intending to
engage at harness-making; but not being able to obtain employment
at that, he entered a printing-office at Naperville. He learned that
business rapidly, and was employed in that office about a year, at
which time Mr. C. R. Fisk sent for him to come to Dixon and assist
him in opening and establishing a printing-office; which was the first

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 195

■one in Dixon. After a short engagement with this eiitei-prise he went
to Oregon, Illinois, where ho became publisher of the " Ogle County
Reporter," in which business he continued for two years. At this
time he returned to Dixon, and engaged as clerk in the private bank
and land office of E. B. Stiles, where he was employed until March 1,
1854. He then opened a bookstore at his present site, on Galena
street, in a room 12x20 feet, which was the first establishment of
that kind in Dixon. Prosperity attended him, and in a few years he
had amassed considerable property, and his store had grown to its
present magnitude. He subsequently met with severe reverses, which
materially injured and retarded him; but being a live business man,
and enjoying the full vigor of his powers, he is again on the forward
march. At the age of twenty-two he became a Freemason, and for
many years was secretary of the lodge at Dixon. He has been a promi-
nent worker in the Sunday schools and a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. He has been twice married, and is the father of
five children, four of whom are now living. In politics Mr. Mead is
a republican. In social life he is pleasant and affable.

Theron Cumins, manufacturer, Dixon, was born in Vermont in
1825. He w'as the son of Joseph and Hannah (Converse) Cumins,
both ot whom are now dead. His parents left Vermont and moved
to Ohio when he was fifteen years of age, and settled in Geauga county.
After remaining there for two 3'ears he came around by way of the
lakes to Chicago, from thence by stage to Dixon, having but $3 in his
pocket on his arrival. From Dixon he went to Gi'and Detour, where
ho obtained a position of clerk in the store of W. A. House & Co., at
a small salary, remaining there for two years and a half. He then
returned to Kewark, Ohio, and for four years clerked in the store of
J. O. and H. Smith. He then returned to Grand Detour and went
into business with the firm for which he had formerly been a clerk,
under the firm name of T. Cumins & Co. This firm wag dissolved
within less than three years, and lie returned to Bucyrus, Ohio, and
having formed a business connection with A. Hajmes, under the firm
name of A. Haynes & Co., they obtained a large grading contract on
the Ohio & Indiana railroad, afterward a part of the Pittsburg & Fort
Wayne railroad. On the extension of the latter road the firm obtained
large contracts for grading and bridging, which, a few montlis after,
they sold to other parties, realizing a handsome profit for themselves.
Mr. Cumins again returned to Grand Detour, where he became general
manager for Leonard Andrus, former proprietor of the G. T. Plow
Works, continuing in that capacity for about two years, wdien he
became an equal partner with Mr. Andrus. At the death of Mr.
Andrus, which occurred six years afterward, Mr. Cumins purchased

196 HTSTOKY OF LEE COUNTY.

his interest and became sole proprietor, and so continued for about two
years and a halt", when the works were removed to Dixon, and an
interest in the business was purchased by Col. H. T. Noble, the tirm
becoming Cumins & Noble. Mr. Cumins was married at Grand Detour
in 1854, to Miss Josephine Harris, and has two daughters living. Mr.
Cumins is a truly self-made man and adds another name to the list of
those whose integrity, energy, and perseverance have brought them from
humble circumstances to wealth and prominence.

Sherwood Dixon, attorney, Dixon, was born November 15, 1847,
at Dixon, and was the son of James P. and Fannie (Reed) Dixon, and
the grandson of John (Father) Dixon. James P. Dixon was born in
the city of New York, March 6. 1811, and came with his parents to
Illinois in 182T, and to Dixon in 1829. Upon arriving at manhood he
engaged in active business, and was for a long time agent for Flint &
Walker's stage line, and in the latter years of his life was in the livery
business. He also held several positions of honor and trust, being a
county commissioner at the organization of Lee county and likewise
at the time the court-house was en.'cted. He also held the position of
postmaster for several years. He was married December 7, 1834, to
Miss Fannie Reed, daugliter of Samuel Reed, the first settler of Buffalo
Grove, in Ogle county, where he located in 1831. The following
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Dixon, all but the last of wliom
are still living: Henrietta, born in 1836, married in 1860 to William
H.Richards; Elizabeth, born in 1838, married in 1856 to William
Barge; Sarah, born in 1845, married in 1870 to George W. Goodwin ;
John R., born in 1842, married in 1872, and now resides in Michigan ;
Sherwood, who still resides in Dixon ; and Susan F., born in 1839,
:narried in 1861 to Amos Goodwin, and died at Dixon, September 15,
1878. James P. Dixon died April 5, 1873, at Dixon, but his widow,
now in her sixty-sixth year, is still living and at present residing with
her son, Sherwood Dixon. The subject of our sketch was educated in
the public schools of his native place, and in Februar}^ 1866, com-
menced tiie study of law with Win. Barge, Esq. He was admitted in
January 1869, and commenced practice as junior member of the firm
of Eustace, Barge & Dixon, in August 1869. In October, 1874, Messrs.
/ Barge cV: Dixon removed to Chicago, and forming a partnership with
W. W. O'Brien, of that cit}^, practiced their profession there until
November 1877, when they returned to Dixon. In March, 1878. Mr.
Dixon dissolved his connection with the firm of Barge & Dixon and
formed a partnership with Mr. S. H. Bethea, the new firm succeeding
to the firm and business of Eustace & Bethea. Mr. Dixon was appointed
master in chancery in June 1880, and is serving his second term as a
member of the board of education. He was married November 16,

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 197

1869, to Miss Melissa G. Mead, daughter of the late H. P. Mead, and
has two sons, Henry S., aged eleven, and Louis N., aged eight years.
Mr. Dixon's political views are democratic, and he is chairman of the
county committee of that party. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and has been for two years superintendent of the
Sunday-school of that denomination.

Jonathan N. Hills, ex-sheriff of Lee county^ Dixon, was born
July 21, 1829, in Oneida county, New York. He spent his early life
at farming, and received a common school education. In 1819, with
his father's family, he came to Lee county, Illinois, and they settled in
Malugin's Grove, where his father died, June 5, 1864. In 1868 he
engaged in mercantile pursuits, the firm name being Hills & Carnahan,
at Malugin's Grove, whicli business they continued five years. In
1876 he was elected sheriff" of Lee county, and in November of that
year removed to Dixon, where he has since continued to reside. In
1878 he was reelected. He has since tilled various town offices, but
has been justice of the peace longer than any other. He has always
been a line republican. Mr, Hills aspii'ed to a military record, but
because of ill health was rejected from the service. He was married
December 17, 1851, to Miss Nancy Merwin, of Paw Paw Grove, Lee
county, and they have six children, one of whom, a daughter, is married
and living in Kansas; the others are at home. Mr. Hills is an active
member and oflScer in the Methodist Episcopal church at Dixon, and is
also a warm friend of Sunday-schools. He is a member of the blue
lodge (of which he is master), the royal arch chapter, and the Dixon
commandery of Knights Templar. He is also a member of the I.O.O.F.
Mr. Hills is a firm temperance man, and believes in moderation in all
things, excess in none.

Hon. Jaj\[es B. Charters, county judge, Dixon, was born July 11,
1831, in the city of Belfast, Ireland. He is the only son of Alexander
Charters, popularly known as " Governor" Charters. Until seventeen
years of age the judge attended school at Carafnrgus Island, after
which he was placed in tlie Trinity College at Dublin, Ireland. He
graduated from that institution in 1852, and afterward kept his law
terms at the Iimer Temple, in London, England. Immediately after
graduating in law he came to Dixon, Illinois, where his father had
lived since the spring of 1838. His father's home was a beautil'ul
country site, two miles from the city of Dixon, on the Rock river, the
lands of which he purchased from the United States government, and
christened the manor Hazelwood. Here, in 1853, the judge was mar-
ried to Miss Fannie Charters, a lady of his own country and house.
In 1856 he commenced the practice of law at Dixon, where he has ever
since been engaged in professional pursuits. In 1877 he was elected

198 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

judge of the coniity court of Lee county, and since that time has been
the incumbent of that office. Prior to liis election as county judge he
served one term as mayor of the city of Dixon. He has been largely
interested in several manufacturing establishments at Dixon, among
which we may mention the Dixon File Works, of which he was secre-
tary and treasurer. In 1868 the concern was converted into the West-
ern Knitting Mills, which were burned in 1873, with a loss of about
$00,000, a heavy share of the loss falling upon the judge. The mills
were never rebuilt. Politically the judge supports the democratic
principles, as they were discussed in the debates upon the constitution.
He is a prominent member of the blue lodge, royal-arch chapter,
and commandery of Knights Teiuplar. He is a member and vestryman
of the Episcopal church at Dixon. Personally Mr. Charters is a gen-
tleman of pleasing address and cordial manner.

Hon. John D. Ckai5tree, attoniey-at-law, Dixon, was born Novem-
ber 19, 1837, in Nottingham, England, and with his parents came to
America in 1848. They came direct to Winnebago county, Illinois,
where they settled and remained some time. In 1853 they removed to
Dixon, which has since then been his home. The judge's opportuni-
ties for obtaining an education were few, yet by hard work and close
application he managed to obtain quite a liberal one. He had privately
read law some, prior to June 1, 1861, at which date he entered the
office of Mr. Edsall t^now attorney-general ot Illinois); but taking an
active interest in the result of the rebellion he enlisted as a private
soldier, April 17 of the same year. Here he made a brilliant record,
rising by promotion and appointment to the office of captain of Co.
F, 3d Mo. Cav., and before the close of the war had been breveted
major. He was mustered out of the service November 5, 1865, and on
returning home he reentered the office of Mr. Edsall, and resumed his
pi-ofessional reading. In July, 1866, he was admitted to the bar, and
in October following formed a partnership with Mr. Edsall, which con-
tinned three years. He was then elected county judge of Lee count}',
which office he held eight years. At the expiration of that time he re-
sumed the practice of law at Dixon, and that has been his business
since. He is a fluent speaker, a deep and active reasoner, and wields a
strong influence in the public sentiments and politics of Lee county.
He cast his first vote for president Lincoln, and has voted for every
president since then, living up to the republican principals as he taught
them. He has held prominent offices in the various masonic orders,
and has been a member of the I.O.O.F. He is a member of the veter-
an soldiers organization called O.C.D. His church preferences are
for the Baptist, though he subscribes to no church ritual. His fine so-
cial qualities, combined with excellent abilities, make him a general
favorite among his friends, both in and out of the profession.

DIXON TOWNSHIP, 199

Samuel C. Eells banker, Dixon, was born in Delaware county,
'New York, March 19, 1822, wliere he spent his youth on a farm, and
later as a clerk in a dry-goods store. As soon as sufficiently advanced
he entered the Delaware Academy, where he received a very liberal ed-
ucation. In 1854 he was married to Miss Annie More, a lady of his
own nativity, and they now have three children, all living. The same
year he came to Dixon, Illinois, as bookkeeper for the iirm of Robert-
son, Eastman & Co. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Eastman retired fi'om
the firm, and it then became Robertson, Eells & Co. In 1859 the firm
was changed to Eells & Coleman, and in the spring of 1865 was suc-
ceeded by the organization of the Lee county national bank. In this
institution Mr. Eells became cashier, and Mr. Coleman assistant cash-
ier; the latter has since retired from the business. The life of our sub-
ject has been one of even tenor and his just pride is in his financial
career. Politically he is a staunch republican and exerts a telling but
quiet influence for his party. He is a member of the Episcopal church
at Dixon, and is a warm friend and supporter of all churches. He is
the pronounced friend of educational institutions. Personall}' he is a
man of a kind heart and courteous address.

William H. Van Epps, farmer, Dixon, was born in Genesee county,
New York, in December 1842. His parents were William H. and
Charlotte R. (Churchill) Yan Epps. The father of the subject of our
sketch, the Hon. W. II. Yan Epps, deceased, for many years a promi-
nent resident and merchant of Dixon, was born in 1812, at Schenectady,
New York, and was the son of John A. and Deborah (Housman) Yan
Epps, whose great-grandparents emigrated from Holland early in the
last century. His parents removed to Genesee county, New York, in
1813, where his father (who served in the war of 1812) died in 1816.
In 1829 his mother removed to Monroe county. New York, where lie
attended the best schools. In 1837 he determined to go west, and hav-
ing located in Fulton county, Illinois, engaged in various successful en-
terprises until 1848, when he returned to Genesee county. In 1854 he
again came west and settled at Dixon, where he opened an extensive
dry-goods and general store, wliich he carried on for more than twenty
years. In 1856 he became a member of the Illinois State Board of Ag-
riculture, and in 1860 Avas made its president, serving in that capacity
for four years. In 1868 he was the candidate of the democratic party
of which he was a member) for lieutenant-governor. He was twice
married, his first wife being Miss Charlotte R. Churchill, of Genesee
county, who died in 1848. He was again married in 1850 to Miss
Mary A. Peck, also of Genesee county. New York. His death occurred
October 8, 1877, at the age of sixty -five years. Up to the time of the
family's ai-rival in Dixon the history of the present W. H. Yan Epps

200 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

is comprised in that of his father. He received excellent educational
advantages, and after leaving school was in the employ of James R.
Ashley, of Morrison, nntil he enlisted in the marine artillery in August,
1862, serving with them a few months only. On leaving the service
he returned to Dixon, and with the exception of some three or four
years, during which time he twice went to California, remaining abont
a year each time, he has been steailily engaged in farming. He was
married to Miss Leah Emery, on December 6, 1877.

William Bakge, attornej', Dixon, was born February 26, 1832.
His parents were John and Jane (Elliott) Barge, and he is of French
descent on his father's, and Scotch on his mother's side. In 1833 the
family removed to Richland county, Ohio, where the earlier 3'ears of
Mr. Barge were passed. The family removed from Richland count}'
to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1839, his father dying there in 1850. Dur-
iucr this time Mr. Barge attended the Wooster Academv, where the
greater part of his education was acquired. In 1851, with his mother
and two sisters, he removed to Rock Island, Illinois, where he entered
the law office of Pleasants & Henderson as a student. Removing to
Dixon in 1854 he started the first graded school (outside of Chicago, at
least) in the state, and continued in charge of it until 1859. He com-
menced to practice law in 1860, and after being for some time a partner
of H. B. Fogg, Es(|., became in 1869 a member of the fii'm of Eustace,
Barge & Dixon. In the fail of 1874 Messrs. Barge & Dixon removed
to Chicago, becoming associated there with W. W. O'Brien, Esq., but
being appointed in 1877 attorney of the Illinois Central railroad, he
again returned to Dixon. He has had also, for many years, charge of
the legal interests of the Chicago ife J^ortliwestern railroad in his sec-
tion, and still continues to hold the important trust confided to him by
both corporations. Mr. Barge was married August 19, 1856, to Miss
Elizabeth Dixon, granddaughter of the old pioneer John Dixon, and
is the father of five children : Mrs. Rathbun, wife of W. W. Rathbun,
Esq., of Mercer county, Illinois ; W. D. Barge, who has just been ad-
mitted to the bar and has become a partner of his father ; John J., aged
twenty, Lizzie M., aged fourteen, and Charles R., aged nine j^ears. Mr.
Barge,thougli never active in political matters, is a democrat from con-
viction, and has long been one of the most prominent members of the
legal profession in northern Illinois.

Hox. Jason C. Ayres, Dixon, was born August 22, 1835, in St.
Lawrence county. New York, and in 1836 his parents moved to the west,
and settled in the vicinity of Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father
died when the subject of our sketch was nearly four years of age, and
in the following year his people returned to Buffalo. New York, where
his youth was s])ent and where he received a very liberal education.

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 201

with special direction to the profession of surveying- and civil-engineer-
ing. At the age of eighteen he located in Chicago, and in the spring
of 1854 settled in Dixon, Illinois, where he has since resided. Here
he was for a short time engaged in a small mercantile business, which
proving unprofitable he abandoned it. He then went into business as
land agent and surveyor, in connection with the Hon. Jos. Crawford,
forming a partnership tliat continued until 1863. During the latter
year they prepared and published, from actual surveys, the first correct
and authentic map of Lee county. Mr. Ayres afterward continued
the real-estate business, devoting the greater portion of his time to
reading law. In 18T0 he was admitted to the bar, but has never en-
gaged exclusively in the general practice of his profession. Being a
surveyor as well as an attorney, he has made a specialty of conve3'anc-
ing, and has pushed his business to successful growth and substantial
results, and for man}' years has been engaged in making and negotiat-
ing loans on real-estate securities. He is also a prominent stockholder
in, and president of the Dixon national bank. While his financial ad-
vancement has been very signal, his social record is an enviable one.
He was elected city clerk March 6, 1861, and has held that ofiice ever
since, a duration of over twent}' consecutive years, and March 16, 1864,
he was elected city treasurer, which post he has ever since had. Polit-
ically he is a staunch republican. He is a member of the Masonic order,
a Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar ; in lodge, chapter, council
and commandery he has held prominent offices. He was married May
7, 1861, to Miss Lovina, daugliter of Dr. Jno. S. Crawford, of Williams-
port, Pennsylvania. They have two children, a daughter now grown,
and a son.

Hon. John Y. Thomas, mayor of the city of Dixon, was born at
Princeton, New Jersey, October 30, 1835. He spent his youth there,
and took a full classical course in the Princeton College. In 1857 he
came west, and being pleased with it concluded to abide in Dixon ;
soon after he began the study of medicine, under the tutorship of Dr.
Oliver Everett, at Dixon, and afterward, during the winter of 1859-60,
attended lectures at the Keokuk (Iowa) Medical College ; but before he
had completed his course there he was called into the hospital service
of the government, where his duties, though of short duration, had
the effect to turn him from the further pursuit of that profession. On
returning home he took a course in didactics, under Prof. A. M. Gow,
and afterward began the business of teaching ; first at Nelson, Illinois,
and subsequently at Dixon, as principal of the north side public
schools. Here he remained until 1874, when, on account of impaired
health, he was obliged to abandon it. He then engaged in the real-
estate and insurance business, which has been attended with successful

202 ■ HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

results and substantial growth. When he gave up teaching the citizens
chose hitn cit}' councilman, and afterward mayor of the city, the second
term of which office he is now tilling. In various ways they have
demonstrated their appreciation and respect for his high moral worth
and superior abilities. For many years he has been a prominent mem-
ber of the A.F. and A.M.. and master of Friendship Lodge. He
has been high priest in the Royal Arch Cliapter, and is now prelate of
the Dixon Commander}- of Knights Templar, which post he has had
for three years. He is also a member of the I.O.O.F. His prefer-
ences are for the Episcopalian church. In 1861 he was married to
Miss Ellen J., daughter of Dr. Dewitt C. Warner, then of Dixon ; they
have three children, the oldest of whom is a son, now a law student
at Dixon.

Eugene Pinckney, attorney-at-law and loan agent, Dixon, was born
in 1839, in New York city, where he obtained his earlier education.
Later he was sent to the Wesleyan Institute, located at iSTewark, Xew
Jersey, and afterward to the New Jersey Institute, at Pennington,
New Jersey, from which he graduated in 18.52. He then entered
Princeton Colhige, where he took a full course in the classics, and in
March, 1856. he came west. In May of that year he came to Dixon,
Illinois, which has ever since been his home. Here he began a course
of professional reading, in the office and under the direction of Messrs.
Heaton & Atherton, and in 1860 was admitted to the bar by the
supreme court of Illinois. He immediately entered the practice of
law, and subsequently added to his legal pursuits the business of loan-
ing money upon real estate. He was prominently interested in tlie
Dixon file w^orks, an institution of considerable magnitude, but which is
now extinct. He was the first editor of the Dixon " Sun," one of the
leading papers in Lee county. His habits have ahvays been those of a
student, and his favorite fields of research have been in the natural
sciences and profane and biblical literature. He is a member of the
State Geological Society, and has recently organized the Dixon Biologi-
cal Society, which has a promising future. He is master in the Forest
Home Lodge of the A.O.U.W., located at Dixon. He is a prominent
member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Dixon, and is an active
Sunday-school worker, sometimes extending his work in this to other
counties. He has been twice married, but has no children. He is a
Jeffersonian democrat, and has never voted any other ticket.

Henry P. Becker, miller, Dixon, was born in Schoharie county,
New York, in 1819. His parents were Peter I. and Lena (Woolford)
Becker. He received a common school education, and at the age of
seventeen went into his grandfather's mills to learn the business. He
remained there about ten years, going from thence to Albany in 1847.

DIXON TOWNSHIP, 203

He resided there until- the spring of 1850, when he migrated to Wis-
consin, and after working for various parties until 1857 he in that
year entered into partnership with Mr. Bean, under the style of Bean
ik Becker. In the fall of 1859 he closed his connection with this firm,
and coming to Dixon he purchased an interest in the Dixon mill, then
conducted by C. Godfre}' & Son. His brother, John W. Becker, was
also interested. In the following spring Mr. Godfrey's remaining
interest was purchased by JSTathan Underwood, and the firm became
Beckers & Underwood, which on the retirement of J. W. Becker, in
1872, was changed to Becker & Underwood, as it still remains. Mr.
Becker was married in 1840 to Miss Lucretia Tygert, of Albany county,
New York, and had one son, Ezra S. Becker, born in Schoharie, New
York, in 1841. He was a young man of great promise, and under-
stood the milling business thoroughly in all its branches. He lost his
life in the fire that destroyed the mill in 1880, a full account of which
will be found elsewhere. It was a sad blow to his father, whose aged
mother had died in 1878, followed by the death of his wife in 1879,
and now the tragic fate of 'his only child, left Mr. Becker stripped of
his whole family in the short space of twenty months. Mr. Becker is a
republican, and is now serving his fourth term as alderman of the
second ward of Dixon.

Abalino C. Bardwell, attorney-at-law, Dixon, was born October
23, 1844, at Conneautville, Pennsylvania, and was the son of George
A. and Julia A. (Cutler) Bardwell. His parents removed to White-
sides county, Illinois, in 1853, where Mr. A. C. Bardwell received the
most of his education at the neighboring schools. Coming to Dixon
February 10, 1864, Mr. Bardwell commenced to studj^ law in the office
of Geo. P. Goodwin, Esq., and at the same time held a clerkship in the
office of Hon. J. V. Eustace, then provost-marshal of the disti'ict. On
Februar}^ 10, 1865, he enlisted as a private in the 147th 111. Inf., and
upon the organization of the regiment was elected captain of Co. G.
Having served for about three months as company commander, he
w^as detached and appointed provost-marshal at Resaca, Georgia, and
afterward served in the same capacity at Americus and Savannah until
mustered out of service February 10, 1866. Returning home he re-
sumed his law studies, attending Chicago law school during the winter
of 1866-7, and being admitted to the bar soon after, he commenced
the practice of his profession at Rochelle, Ogle count}', Illinois, late in
the following fall. Shortly after, his health becoming impaired, he re-
moved to Dixon, and in the spring of 1868 established the Dixon
"Herald," whicli was, in November 1869, merged into the Dixon " Tel-
egraph," owned' by a joint stock company with Mr. Bardwell as editor,
in which position he continued until May 1871. In the ensuing Au-

204 HL>^T<)RY OF^ LEE COUNTY,

pjust he formed a partnership with Hon. J. K. Edsall, and resumed the
practice of law. The lirm was dissolved in 1872, Mr. Edsall havinaj
been elected attorney-general of the state, and Mr. Bardwell has since
continued to practice alone. He was married in 1871, to Miss Clara C.
Utley, daughter of Joseph Utley, Esq., of Dixon, and has one son, Henry
W. Bardwell, nine years of age. Though a comparatively young man,
Mr. Bardwell occupies an enviable position among his professional
brethren, and citizens generally, both as a lawyer and a man.

A. Clinton Warnek, deputy county treasurer, Dixon, was born in
New Preston, Connecticut, April 8, 1850. He is the son of L. A. and
Sarah D. Warner, of Freeport, Illinois, with whom he came west in
1855. He spent his youth at Freeport, obtaining a very liberal educa-
tion in the schools of that city. In 1867 he entered the office of the
county clerk, as deputy, of Stephenson county, of which Freeport is
the county seat. He i-cmained there until 1871, when he came to
Dixon, where he was immediately employed as deputy in the county
clerk's office. A little later he was given charge of the office of county
treasurer, as deputy, under treasurer Josiah Little, and in connection
with this he is now engaged. In May, 1878, he was licensed by the
supreme court an attorncy-at-law, but has not sought to engage in a
general practice. He is a prominent stockholder, and a director in the
Dixon national bank, at Dixon, and during the past few years has
handled more real estate than any other man in Lee county. In De-
cember, 1875, he was married to Miss Myra O. Brookner, a lady of one
of the oldest and most respected families in Dixon. They have three
children, all boys. Mr. Warner is a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal church, and a warm friend of Sunday-schools. He is a man of re-
iined tastes and correct habits, an energetic student, combined with
active and growing business qualities. He is an independent republican.

George Steel, capitalist, Dixon, was born at Lockport, Illinois,
May 10, 1812, and was the son of Geoi-ge and Annie (Morrison) Steel.
The elder Mr. Steel and his wife were both natives of Scotland. He
was a contractor, and in that capacity was connected with many of the
great enterprises of the northwest, such as the Welland canal, the Illi-
nois and Michigan canal, the di'edging of the Chicago river, etc. In a
building owned by him the tirst informal meeting of the Board of Trade
of Chicago was held. He was one of the original directors of the Ga-
lena division of the Chicago & JSTorth western rtiil road. He built the
first elevator at Chicago, and was one of the first to engage in the pack-
ing business, and in the lake trade. At the organization of the St.
Andrew's Society of Chicago he was elected its president. He was a
large real-estate owner, and erected many buildings. Death brought
his active and prosperous career to a close on March 22, 1865, at the

:ixs-h

^

N^,

i :u

1 ' -i! ^J^'^^^s

DIXON TOWJS^SHIP. 207

age of sixty-seven. His son, George Steel, removed with his parents to
Chicago in 1844, where he was brought up. He was educated at Mount
Pleasant Academy,Sing Sing, New York, and Racine College, Racine,
Wisconsin, and also attended the Chicago law college. He studied law
for a time in the office of Hojne, Miller & Lewis, of Chicago, but about
1861, becoming interested in railroad matters, he turned his attention to
that line of business for about five years. He then became engaged in
contracts for street pavements in Chicago and Cleveland, and also in
the building of the lake tunnel in the former city, and at the same time
was considerably interested in mining developuients. Mr. Steel came
to Dixon first in 1873, and has since been engaged in various enter-
prises in this vicinity. He was married July 11, 1871, to Miss Louise
P. Yan Epps, and has three children : Willie, aged ten, Annie, aged
six, and an infant daughter, Mr. Steel is independent in political
affairs, and is a member of the Presbyterian church.

IssAC S. BoARDMANj real estate dealer, Dixon, was born in Tioga
county. New York, January 3, 1816, and is the son of Isaac S. and
Abigail (Saltmarsh) Boardman. His father kept a public-house in
Tioga county for over a quarter of a century, and was post-master of
his town for more than twenty-seven years. Mr. Boardman left home
at the age of sixteen, going to Bath, New York, where he clerked in a
dry-goods store for six years. He then made arrangements to go into
business in connection with his brother-in-law Mr. S. M. Bowman,
and they resolved to locate at Dixon. Purchasing a stock of goods at
New York and Philadelphia, which at that early day were shipped by
way of Pittsburgh and the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, they arrived
at Dixon in May 1837, and commenced business. At the organization
of Lee county in 1838 Mr. Boardman was elected county clerk and
served four years. Just before the expiration of his term of service
he resigned and purchased a flouring-mill in Ogle county, which he
operated until 1849, when he sold out and returned to Dixon, and was
soon after elected to the office of clerk of the circuit court, which posi-
tion he held for seven years. During this time he had purchased the
"Republican and Telegraph," published at Dixon, and conducted that
paper for about ten years, under the name of the " Dixon Telegraph."
About 1868 Mr. Boardman retired from the active management of his
paper, and placed it in the hands of his sons John D. and William,
who had just graduated from the University of Michigan, and since
that time Mr. Boardman's only connection with active business has
been in looking after his large real-estate interests. He was married
in 1840 to Miss Mary L. Dixon, a daughter of Father Dixon. She
died in 1850, leaving three children. The eldest, Mary E., married
Charles C. Pinckney, Esq., and is now residing at Denver, Colorado.
13

208 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

John D., the eldest son, was a graduate of the law department of the
University of Michigan, and having become interested in mining in
Arizona was killed there by a desperado in a dispute over a contested
claim. William, the second son, after severing his connection with
the " Dixon Telegraph," removed to Chicago to take charge of the
business managen:ient of the "Rail Road Gazette." After the great
fire the place of publication was transferred to New York city, and it
is now very prosperous. Mr. Boardman was married a second time in
1854, to Miss Anna C, Campbell, of Mount Morris, Illinois. She died
in 1863, leaving one daughter, now eighteen years of age. Mr.
Boardman cast his first vote for Gen. Harrison, and for more than
forty years has been an active whig and republican.

Joseph Utley, merchant, Dixon, was born in Western, Oneida
county, New York, on July 27, 1815, and is the son of Henry and
Sarah (Morse) Utley, and obtained his education at the schools in the
neighborhood. After completing an academical course he entered his
father's establishment, where he learned the trade of a tanner. He suc-
ceeded to his father's business in 1838 and carried on the same until
1859, in which year he removed to Dixon and opened a saddlery and
hardware store, which he continued until 1867, when he turned over
the business to his eldest son and has not since been actively engaged
in business. He has for many years been much interested in the
matter of cheap transportation, and has been prominently connected
with the canals of this state, and in 1869 was appointed by Gov. Pal-
mer a canal commissioner, holding that position until 1877, and most
of the time was president of the board of canal commissioners. Mr.
Utley was married in 1838 to Miss Frances Church, daugliter of Seth
Church, Esq., of Western, Oneida county, New York. They have three
children : E. B. Utley, aged forty years, who is engaged in the sad-
dlery-hardware and leather business at Dixon; Clara, aged thirty-seven
years, and wife of A. C. Bardwell, a prominent attorney of Dixon,
and Dr. J. H. Utley, aged thirty-four years, and now practicing his
profession in Dixon. Politically Mr. Utle}^ is a stalwart republican,
and is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Hox. John Y. Eustace, judge of the circuit court of the thirteenth
judicial district, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September
9, 1821, and is the son of Thomas and Fannie (Olmsted) Eustace.
His father and grandfather were both clergjnnen belonging to the
Presbyterian denomination, the former being born in Dublin in 1797,
migrating to America and first locating in Philadelphia, where he
remained until 1839, when he removed to St. Louis, where he died
from cholera in 181:7. On the maternal side Judge E. is a descendant
of Rev. Jonathan lugersoll, who for thirty-seven years before the revo-

DIXOX TOWNSHIP. 209

lution was the Presbyterian minister of Ridgefield, Conn. She married
Ebenezer Olmstead, who was a colonel in the Connecticut line durino-
that wai*. Her brother was the first lieutenant-governor of that state.
Judge Eustace was educated at Philadelphia, graduating from the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania in the summer of 1839. Soon after tlie family
removed to St. Louis, where he entered the otHce of Plon. Charles D.
Drake (now chief justice of the court of claims, Washington), as a law
student, and was admitted to practice before reaching his twentieth
year. He became a partner of Mr. Drake for a short time, but in 1843
removed to Dixon, where he practiced with much success until 1857,
when he was elected judge of the circuit court upon its first establish-
ment, but resigned before serving his full term, and resumed the prac-
tice of his profession. In 1861 he was appointed provost-marshal of the
district, which position he held until the close of the war. He then
became a member of the firm of Eustace, Barge & Dixon, which con-
tinued for several years, and in 1877 was again elected judge of the cir-
cuit court, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge W, W. Hea-
ton, and in 1879 was reelected for a full term of six years. He has also
served in the state legislature and as a presidential elector, and in 1876
was the democratic candidate for attorny-general of Illinois, but was
defeated along with the balance of the ticket. Judge Eustace was
married at St. Louis in 1843, to Miss Anna M. Smith, and has four
children : Fannie, born in Dixon, who is married to Henry W. Grce-
tham and residing in Dixon ; Thomas H., born in Dixon and now in
the employ of a manufacturing firm at Freeport, Illinois; Elizabeth,
born in Dixon, and married to Mr. John L. Orvis, of Dixon, and
John y. jr., born in Dixon and now practicing law at Roekford, Illinois.
In his political afiiliations the judge is a democrat, but enjoys the
esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens, without regard to party
lines, as an able and upright expounder of the law.

Lester D. Pitcher, dealer in agricultural implements, Dixon, was
born in Lewis county, New York, July 28, 1839, and is the son of
Philander and Mary (Agen) Pitcher. After leaving school he worked
upon his father's farm until the spring of 1864, when he came to Illi-
nois and located in Jo Daviess county. After farming for some two
years he built a store and entered into the general merchandise busi-
ness at Pitcherville, where he had succeeded in getting a postoftice
established, and was made post-master, which office he held until 1871,
when he removed to Dixon and engaged in the manufactui-e of the
Excelsior Barley Forks, and of the Buck Patent Spring Bolster for
lumber wagons. In 1877 he went into the agricultural implement
business, which he still carries on. Mr. Pitcher was married January
20, 1871, to Miss Abigail Cramer, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and has two

210 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

children, Bessie, aged eight 3'ears, and Louis, an infant son. In 1862
Mr. Pitcher enlisted in the 5th IST. Y. Heavy Artillery, but after serv-
ing about three months was discharged for disability. He is a repub-
lican in politics, and at the present time is alderman of the third ward
of the city of Dixon.

Daniel B. McKenney, magistrate, Dixon, was born March 31,
1816, in Montgomery county, New York, and is the son of Peter
and Rhoda (Tickner) McKenney. He removed with his parents in
1820 to Canada, where he resided during his childhood, and came to
Dixon in the spring of 1836, when twenty years of age. His father
■came in that fall, when they together opened hotel in a log-house on
Peoria street, Dixon. In the winter of 1836-7 he drove twenty miles
west of Princeton, this state, and purchased one ton of fresh pork, for
which he paid $200. The same quantity could be bought the follow-
ino- winter for $25. In the winter of 1836-7 flour was $20 per barrel
in Chicago, the nearest port of supply. Soon after this time oats were
purchased at eight cents per bushel, and at one time he and his uncle
bouo-ht up and stored a large quantity, which afterward became a total
loss and were thrown away. In 1841 Mr. McKenney purchased seventy
feet front on Main street, on which stood the first brick building
erected in Dixon. Other buildings have been since built, until the
ground was occupied. Soon after the purchase of this lot lie engaged
in merchandising, in which he continued for a number of years. After
a life of twenty-six years, young Daniel was persuaded that it was not
" ffood for man to live alone," and was united in marriage to Miss
Eliza Ann Whitney, of Fi-anklin Grove, in 1812. Mrs. McKenney
is a daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Gray) Whitney, of Lee county,
noticed in connection with Franklin Grove. In the spring of 1870
the subject of our sketch was elected magistrate in Dixon, in which
office he has continued until present, his ofiicial acts being held in high
esteem by all lovers of justice. In politics the Esquire is democratic
in his affiliations, but voted for Abraham Lincoln through personal ap-
preciation.

Capt. John Dysaet, grain dealer and flour merchant, Dixon, was
born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1831, and is the
son of Joseph and Mary Ann (Davis) Dysart. He spent the days
of his childhood on a farm near Birmingham, Pennsylvania, in which
place he received his early education. In 1857 he came to Illinois, and
settled in Nachusa, Lee county, where he engaged in the grain and lum-
ber trade, in which he continued for twentj' years. On August 25, 1861,
Mr. Dysart enlisted in Co. D, Bowen's Cavalry Battalion of Vol-
unteers, entering the ranks as a private, from which he rose to the
command of his company. The captain was in the Arm}' of the Mis-

DIXOlSr TOWNSHIP. 211

sissippi, was in the battle of Pea Ridge as one of the many interesting
experiences of army life. The captain was private only fifteen days^
duty sergeant three months, orderly sergeant one year, quartermaster's
department three months, lieutenant of the company from which h&
was promoted to captaincy, and was mustered out in October 1865. In
the spring of 1877 he moved to Dixon, and engaged in the purchase
and shipment of grain, occupying the stone elevator built by Col. John
Dement, west of the Illinois Central depot, where he is still in an ex-
tensive business. The elevator has a capacity of 30,000, and is driven
by steam-power, through which he handles about half a million of
grain per annum. In the spring of 1880 he extended his business,,
through the elevator at the Illinois Central railroad, North Dixon, un-
der the firm name of Messrs. Dysart & Brubaker. This firm has a
flour house on Hennepin street, between Main and Water streets,
where they ship for the trade from 300 to 400 barrels of flour per week,
having exclusive control of the Becker & Underwood flour. Mr.
Dysart also owns elevators at Nelson, five miles west on the North-
western railroad, at Nachusa, five miles east, and at Franklin and Ash-
ton, east, all on the Northwestern railroad. From these several points
in Lee county is shipped to the Chicago house of Messrs. Dysart &
Geoghegan, On March 9, 1865, Mr. Dysart was united in marriage
to Miss E. L. Crawford, of Pennsylvania. As the result of this union
are two interesting daughters. The family home is a beautiful resi-
dence, conveniently located on Crawford street in the city of Dixon.

Feank W. Little, deputy county clerk, Dixon, was born August
26, 1859, in the city of Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, and is the son of
Joseph T. and Elliner W. (Cobb) Little. His parents came to Dixon
in the fall of 1838, being among the early settlers of Lee count3% His
father was among the first merchants in Dixon, and in after years be-
came associated with the manufacturing interests of the county, until
he removed to the city of Washington, District of Columbia, in 1880.

Elias Bovey, lumber merchant, Dixon, was born in Washington
county, Maryland, June 19, 1838; and is the son of Jacob and Delila
(Kretsinger) Bovey, of that state. He moved with his pai-ents to
Illinois and settled on a farm near Mount Morris, Ogle county, in 1843.
He received his education in the common schools and Rock River sem-
inary at Mount Morris, Ogle county. When twenty-one years of age
he purchased a farm three miles south of Polo, and commenced busi-
ness for himself, as a farmer. In the spring of 1867 he came to Lee
county and located in Dixon, where he has since made his home. In
1872 he established a lumber yard on Water street, where he is still
conducting a successful business. On the 26th of September, 1865,.
Mr. Bovey was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Buckalu, of Dixon,,

212 HISTOr.Y OF LEE COUXTY.

who deceased February 6, 1877, and was conveyed to her final resting
place in the Dixon cemetery. On the 17th of March, 1880, he was
united in marriage to Miss Addie Clute, of Dixon. Mr. Bovey is a
prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he
holds different official relations, and is an efficient Sabbath-school su-
perintendent. Politically the subject of our sketch is a republican,
and cast liis first vote for Abraham Lincoln.

Major Obadiah Downing, agricultural merchant, Dixon, was born
in Queen's county, Long Island, New York, April 12, 183G, and is the
son of George and Mary (Jackson) Downing. The family, tho^igh of
an English ancestry, have for several generations resided on Long
Island, the Major's father and grandfather having been born in the
same house. Having spent his childhood on the home farm, the
Major, when a boy of sixteen, came to Chicago and made his home
witli his uncle, whom he assisted in the mercantile trade for six years,
and in 1856 returned to Long Island, where he resided until the break-
ing out of the war of the rebellion. He responded to his country's
call by enlisting in the United States service, and in August, 1861,
entered Co. H, 2d reg. N. Y. Cav., as second lieutenant, and re-
mained in the service until the close of the war, and was mustered
out as lioutenant-colonel. He was under Gen. Sheridan in the depart-
ment of the Potomac; and took part in all the principal battles of the
Army of the Potomac, and during the great battle of the Wilderness,
when Gen. Sheridan was menacing Richmond, on the 12th day of May,
1864, he fell into the hands of the enemy and was conveyed as pris-
oner of war to Libby Prison, and thence to Macon, Georgia. The
Major was one of the five hundred Union officers who were sent as
Union prisoners to Charleston, South Carolina, and placed by the
confederate authorities under the fire of the federal guns to force the
government to an exchange of prisoners. After remaining here a few
weeks the}' were removed to Columbia, South Carolina. In the fol-
lowing August the Major effected an escape from prison, and was cared
for by the colored people for two weeks while trying to reach the *
Union lines. He was, however, tracked down and recaptured by the
aid of bloodhounds near Abbeville, South Carolina, and taken back to
Columbia. Here he remained quiet for one month when about the 1st
of October he and Col. Cook, afterward minister to Chili, run the
guards on a dark, rainy night wlien the camp-fires were burning low
and escaped to the mountains of Tennessee, where they kept them-
selves concealed for about three months. Finding it impossible to pass
the rebel pickets, they reported at the rebel headquarters and rep-
resented themselves as confederate soldiers and obtained passes through
their lines; but in crossing the mountains in the Cherokee country

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 213

they were taken by a patrol of Indians who were guarding the moun-
tain passes to prevent the escape of deserters, and were carried back to
the rebel headquarters, where they were confined and starved into a
confession and returned to Libby prison ; and on February 22, 1865,
were exchanged and returned to the federal army.

A special order being issued in the war department that all sol-
diers having captured rebel flags should have a furlough to visit Wash-
ington and deposit the captured ensign, Col. Downing, being one of the
honored number, visited the capital for the above purpose, and was
pi'esent at the theater at the time of the assassination of President
Lincoln, and witnessed that dreadful tragedy on April 13, 1865. After
the close of the war he returned home on Long Island, and was chosen
by the people of Queen's county to represent them in the state legis-
lature in 1865, and was reelected in 1866. In 1867 the colonel came
to Illinois and settled in Dixon. He assisted in establishing the first
factory in the country for manufacturing cotton bagging out of flax
tow, and in the fall of 1868 sold his interest to Col. John Dement.
In the same fall he purchased a farm of 600 acres in Kane county, this
state, where he made his home until 1876. In 1872 Col. Downing
was united in marriage to Miss Mary Yates, of Kane county, and
daughter of Bartholomew C. and Nancy (Tabias) Yates, formerly of
western JSTew York. In 1876 our subject sold half of his farm and
returned to Dixon, where in 1879 he engaged in the agricultural trade
in that city. The colonel has a beautiful home in north Dixon, and a
family of three children: Miss Mary Olive, born March 27, 1874;
Master George, born September 6, 1875, and Benjamin Franklin, born
November 22, 1880.

CoL. Henky T. Noble, manufacturer, Dixon, is a native of Massa-
chusetts, born in Otis, Berkshire county, that state, May 3, 1830. He
is the son of Henry and Mary Ann (Hubbard) Noble. The geneal-
ogy of the family is traced back for seven generations to Thomas Noble,
of England, who was born in 1632, and came to Boston sometime prior
to 1653, thence to Springfield, Massachusetts, and died in Westfield
in 1704, aged seventy-two. The colonel, our present subject, spent
his early life on a farm, during which time he was securing a liberal
education preparatory to entering college, and became a member of the
first class organized in the state normal school at Westfield, Massachu-
setts. Subsequently he devoted two years to school teaching. In
1850 he came to Illinois, and located in Dixon. The two succeeding
years he devoted to school teaching, writing in the land office at such
times as not engaged in his profession. In 1852 the colonel engaged
in the purchase and collection of land warrants held by soldiers who
served in the Mexican war; traveling through Missouri, Tennessee,

214 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Kentucky and Alabama. On his return he ocated lands in Illinois,
and engaged witii his uncle, Silas Noble, in banking and real-estate
business, until 1857. He was subsequently engaged in settling up the
affairs of the bank until the beginning of the war in 1861. He was
the first to enlist in the Union service in Lee county, enrolling his
name five days after the firing on Fort Sumter, and proposed to be
one of fifty to go to the front at once in his country's service. On
April 20 he was chosen first lieutenant of Co. A, 13th reg. 111. Yols.,
and was mustered into the United States service under the three-
years call, May 24, as captain of said company. On July 8, 1863, he
was promoted to the staff of the quartermaster's department ; and in
ISTovember of the same year he was promoted major, and in thirty days
later commissioned lieutenant-colonel. About March 1, 1864, he was
promoted colonel by the secretary of war on the staff of Major-General
J. J. Reynolds, and appointed chief quartermaster, department of
Arkansas; which position he held until October 15, 1866, when he
was mustered out of the service at his own request, and under the ex-
pressed regrets of the commanding general of the department. After
the acceptance of his resignation he returned home to Dixon, and in
the following winter visited Washington and closed up his business
with the government with gratifying results. The colonel was in con-
stant [service from April, 1861, to November, 1866, during which time
he never lost a day, with the exception of a furlough of thirty days,
which was afterward extended ten days, while he was in Washington,
by Gen. E. D. Townsend, by order of the secretary of war. In 1866
he bought an interest in the Grand Detour plow works, now estab"
lished at Dixon, under the firm of Commins, Noble & Dodge.

On February 27, 1853, Col. Noble was united in marriage to Miss
Jane Ann Herrick, born in Chautauqua county-. New York, and was
the daughter of Samuel and Sally (Nash) Herrick. She was killed in
the great bridge disaster at Dixon, Illinois, May 4, 1873. In 1875 he
was married to Miss Mary Augusta Hampton, who was born in Boston,
Erie county. New York, and was the daugliter of Slater and Manerva
(Ellis) Hampton. Genealogy : Col. Henry T. Noble, born 1830, in
Otis, New York, son of Henry Noble and Mary A. (Plubbard) Noble;
Henry Noble, born 1804, in G. Barrington, Mass., son of David Noble
and Patience (Noble) Noble; David Noble, born 1771, G. Barrington,
Mass., son of Preserved Noble and Elizabeth (Hughstand) Noble »
Preserved Noble, born 1723, Westport, Mass., son of Joseph Noble
and Abigal (Dewey) Noble ; Joseph Noble, born 1691, Westfield, Mass.,
son of Matthew Noble and Hannah (Dewey) Noble; Matthew Noble,
born 1666, Westfield, Mass., son of Thomas Noble and Hannah (War-

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 215

ren) Noble ; Thomas Noble, born 1632, in England, came to Boston,
Mass., thence to Springfield, thence to Westlield, where he died.

JosiAH PoMEEOY Dana, merchant, Dixon, was born in Albany, New
York, January 11, 1819, and is the son of John Wood and Sophia
(Poraeroy) Dana. His father was born in Warwick, Massachusetts, in
1788, and was the son of Daniel Dana who was born near Boston in
1754, son of Daniel Dana, sr., of Boston, Mass. The two latter par-
ticipated in the revolutionary war, and were engaged in the battle of
Bunker Hill ; and in after years figured in the public affairs of the
commonwealth. The Dana family was formerly represented in this
country by three brothers: John, Joseph, Daniel, who came to this
country at a very early date, two settling in Massachusetts, and one in
Yermont. The family has many relics and curiosities of ancestral
honor, which are carefully preserved for future generations. The sub-
ject of this sketch was left fatherless at the age of nine years, and was
soon after placed under the care of Daniel Dana, his uncle, who was a
successful merchant, and under this influence he acquired a knowledge
of the business and never departed from the business customs of his
fathers, but at the age of twenty-two roamed westward and landed in
Chicago in August 1842 ; thence to Southport, Wisconsin, where for
fifteen years he was engaged in the mercantile and lumber interests of
the city. In 1865 he removed to Dixon, Illinois, and engaged in mer-
cantile pursuits, in which he has continued until the present time. In
1860 Mr. Dana was married to Miss Winfred Nixon, who was residing
near Portage city, Wisconsin. Resulting from this union were three
children, one son and daughter living, and one daughter of seven years
was lost at the great bridge disaster on May 4, 1873, an account of
which is given in another place in this book. Miss Agnis Nixon, sister
to Mrs. Dana, also perished at the same time. Mr. Dana's mother
died in the city of New York in May of the present j^ear, at the ad-
vanced, age of ninety-one years.

Benjamin F. Shaw, editor and publisher, Dixon, was born March
31, 1831, in Tioga county. New York, and is the son of Alanson B.
and Philomela (Flower) Shaw, natives of Bradford county, Pennsyl-
vania. His grandparents were born in New England, whose ancestors
were from England. His father, Alanson B, Shaw, was the son of
Jedediah and Martha (Gore) Shaw. His mother was the daughter of
Zephon and Mary (Patrick) Flower. His father died when he was a
small boy, and in 1845 he came west and settled in Rock Island in
1847. He came to Dixon in 1851, and assumed the publication of
the Dixon " Telegraph," of which he became proprietor. In 1859 he
sold the "Telegraph " and bought an interest in the Amboy paper. In
1860 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and recorder, in which

21(5 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

capacity he served eight years, during which time he continued his
connection with the Lee county " Times." In 1S70 he took editorial
charge of the Dixon "Telegraph," which he has continued up to this
time, having been editor of a paper from 1851 to the present writing,
excepting four months, during which time he crossed the plains to
Pike's Peak. He spent the winter of 1868 in Washington, and during
the session of congress reported for the Chicago '' Evening Journal " ;
was connected with the internal revenue service in 1869, and was one.
of the commissioners appointed by the governor to locate the Elgin
state insane asylum. In 1877 he was appointed canal commissioner,
in which office he has continued until the present time. In Novetn-
bei', 1S56, Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Anna Eustace,
daughter of Rev. Thomas Eustace and Fannie (Olmstead) Eustace, of
Dixon, from which union resulted the birth of throe children: Frede-
ric L., Eustace E. and Lloyd Shaw. Mr. Shaw has always taken an
active part in politics as a staunch republican. He had three brothers
and four sisters : Alonzo, Ellen E., Pluebe, Yalney, Philomela, Jude-
diah and Martha.

Hon. Joseph Crawford, surveyor and banker, Dixon, was born in
Columbia county, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1811, and is the son of
John and Catharine (Cassedy) Crawford. In 1830 he removed with
his parents to Huntington, Pennsylvania, and at the age of twenty he
engaged in school teaching, in which profession he continued for four
3'ears. On April 4, 1835, he started for Illinois. Passing Chicago
and Dixon's Ferry, he stopped at Galena, where he remained but a
short time, returning to Dixon's Ferry, and located on a farm south of
Grand Detour, in May of the same spring. He also engaged in busi-
ness as surveyor, which he followed extensively until recent years, and
made the original survey of most of the villages on Pock river from
Rockford to Rock Island. In 1836 he was appointed deputy county
surveyor for northwest Illinois, and was elected count}' surveyor of
Ogle county, which then included Whitesides and Lee, and was elected
surveyor of Lee county at the time of its organization in 1840, in
which office he served for eighteen years. He served in 1841 as mem-
ber of the first board of supervisors for the count}' of Lee, and was
elected to represent Lee and Whitesides in the Illinois state legislature
in 1849, and reelected to the same in 1853. In 1852 he settled in
Dixon, where he still resides. He has dealt extensively in farming
lands, and owns about twelve hundred acres of fine farming land in
Lee county ; one farm of 1,000 acres in one body three miles east of
the city of Dixon, and one tour miles southwest of the city, embracing
200 acres. Both farms are devoted to grain and stock-growing. He
was one of the chartered members of Lee county national bank, which

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 217

was organized in 1865, since which time he has sustained the relation
of president. He was elected ma3'or of the city of Dixon in 18Y3, and
reelected the two following terms. On September 16, 18 — , Mr.
Crawford was united in marriage to Mrs. Huld (Bowman) Culver.
Resulting from this union is a son, Joseph Willber Crawford, born
August 20, 1859, and still making his father's house his home. Mr.
Crawford had two brotliers and three sisters. His brother, Dr. John
S. Crawford, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was killed by a train of
cars while crossing the track in his buggy. His brother, Samuel
Crawford, resides at Sterling, this state ; his two surviving sisters are
Sarah and Catharine ; the former, Mrs. L. W. Hale, resides in Ohio,
and the latter married Mr. John Litle, of Pennsylvania. His parents
■were born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and his forefathers were of
Scotch blood. Mrs. Joseph Crawford was the daughter of John and
Mary (Bretten) Bowman ; the father was born on the banks of the
Delaware river in Pennsylvania, and the mother on Staten Island.
Her grandfather, Christopher Bowman, was of Germany.

Hon. Col. John Dement, manufacturer, Dixon, was born April 26,
1804, in Gallatin, tlie county seat of Sumner county, Tennessee, and
is the son of David and Dorcus (Willis) Dement. When thirteen
years of age he removed with his parents to Franklin county, Illinois,
and located upon a farm, where he made his home until twenty-two
years of age, when he was elected to the office of sheriff, which im-
posed upon him also the duties of collector ard treasurer of public
funds. He was elected in 1828 to represent Franklin county in the
Illinois state legislature, and in 1830 was reelected for a second term,
serving four years consecutivel}^ as member of that body. Subse-
quently he was elected by the general assembly as treasurer of the
state for three successive terms. During his service in this responsible
position he successfully closed up the affairs of the old state bank,
and rendered efficient service as an officer in the Black Hawk war, being
out in three campaigns. In 1831 he was with Gen. Duncan and Gov.
Reynolds as aid, and was one of the witnesses to a treaty with Black
Hawk when that chief relinquished all claims to the land lying east
of the Mississippi. In the following spring (1832), when Black Hawk
in violation of his treaty was marching up Rock river. Col. Dement,
then residing at Yandalia, responded to a call from the governor for
volunteers to march to the relief of the invaded settlements, and was
chosen captain of a volunteer company of the spy battalion and moved
immediately to the front. Reaching Dixon, Gen. Whiteside sent Col.
Dement with a few men to visit Shabbona, the Pottawatomie chief, who
was living twenty-five or thirty miles north of Dixon. He moved out
with his men, in all about six, some twelve miles toward Shabbona

218 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

grove and encamped for the night. Having no rations only what their
guide had provided for himself, they consumed the last of their supplies
for their breakfast and renewed the march toward the Indian settle-
ment. Meeting a band of Black Hawk's party they learned the location
of that chief and his people, and late in the evening they turned
toward camp, riding all night after a fatiguing day. They returned to
Dixon on the following da}^ and reported to the commanding general.
After Stillman's defeat and Gen. Whiteside's expedition the volunteers
were disbanded because of expiration of time, and a new levy of troops
were called out by the governor. Col. Dement returned home, and
arranging his official matters returned to the volunteer headquarters,
where he was elected commander of a battalion of spies, and assuming
command he marched in advance of the main army toward Rock river,
searching the groves and Bureau woods for Indians who had been
committing depredations on the settlers, and reported to Gen. Taylor
at Dixon. From this point he soon advanced in search of Black Hawk,
leading to the brilliant engagement with that warrior referred to in the
chapter on the "Black Hawk war." Black Hawk admitted the loss
of seven warriors and two favorite chiefs ; says this is the only battle
of the year in which he personally took part, and paid a high compli-
ment to the courage and fighting qualities of Col. Dement. In 1836
he was elected representative. To accept this he resigned the state
treasurershij), turning over his books and accounts, which were audited
and approved by the finance committee of the general assembly. In
1837 he was appointed by President Jackson receiver of the land
office at Galena, which was removed to Dixon in 1810. He held this
position until removed by President Harrison ; reinstated by President
Polk; was again removed by President Taylor ; again reinstated by
President Pierce, continuing in position until the land office was re-
moved to Springfield, under the administration of President Buchanan.
In 1841 he was chosen presidential elector for James K. Polk. He
was a member of three state constitutional conventions of 184Y-48, 1862,
and 1870, and has been a member of all the conventions called to re-
vise the Illinois constitution since the formation of the state govern-
ment in 1818. In the first two conventions he served as chairman of
the committee of the legislative department, and in the last convention,
1868, he was chairman of the committee on suffrage. The colonel has
been elected to the office of mayor of Dixon for four terms, while his
name, means and energy have been associated with most of the leading
enterprises and public improvements of the city of Dixon. In 1835 he
was united in marriage to Miss Maria Louisa Dodge, daughter of Gov.
Dodge, of Wisconsin. His eldest son, Henry Dodge Dement, is the
present secretary of State for Illinois.

DIXOlSr TOWNSHIP. 219

William W. Heaton, deceased, late chief justice of the appellate
court of the tirst district and for many years a resident of Dixon, was
one of the foremost members of the legal profession in the State of
Illinois. He was born in Western, Oneida county. New York, April
15, 181-1, and was the son of John and Sarah (Weed) Heaton. He
received an academical education, and w^as for a short time enffaged in
teaching, but soon relinquished that pursuit for the more congenial
profession of the law. He entered upon his studies in 1835 and in
1838 was admitted to the bar at Terre Haute, Indiana, and soon
attained a good practice. In 1840 he removed to Dixon and practiced
law until 1861, when he was elected judge of the circuit court and
occupied that position until 187T, having been twice reelected. The
appellate court having been established by act of legislature in 1877,
Judge Heaton was elected one of its justices, and on the assembling
of the court in October he was chosen chief justice. He died very
suddenly in Chicago, on the 26th of December, 1877, being but a few
moments before his sudden taking olf in apparently his usual good
health. Meetings of tlie bar in the several counties comprised in his
district were held, at which resolutions were adopted eulogizing his
public and private career and lamenting his untimely demise, which
was all the more sad as it occurred only the day before the one appoint-
ed for the nuptials of his youngest daughter. Judge Heaton was
married three times, his first marriage taking place in Oneida county,
New York, the second at Terre Haute, Indiana, and on the I7th of
March, 1851, he was united to Mrs. LucindaMcCumsey, of Dixon, who
survives him. Four children are still living : Dwight, a lawyer resid-
ing in Dixon ; Edward, who is living in Nebraska and engaged in
farming; Mary, married to Prof. J. F. O. Smith, now of Fort Lara-
mie, Wyoming territory, and Virginia, wife of Chas. H. Gardner, at
present a resident of Dakota.

Luke Hitchcock, D.D., presiding elder of the Dixon district of
the Methodist Episcopal church, was born in Lebanon, Madison county,
New York, on April 13, 1813, and is the son of Julius and Myra
(Ingersoll) Hitchcock. He was brought up and educated in his native
town, attending the neighboring schools. In the fall of 1834 he united
with the Oneida conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. His
fields of labor for the next five 3'ears were principally in the counties
of Onondaga and Tioga, in the State of New York. In August, 1839,
he removed to Illinois, and settled at Inlet Grove, Lee county, and
during the winter of 1839-40 was in charge of the church at Dixon,
being the first regular pastor after its organization. He soon after
went to Chicago, and became pastor of the only Methodist Episcopal
church then in existence in that city. In the fall of 1842 the society

220 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

divided and built tlie Second cliurcli on Canal street. This was the
orii^inal foundation of what is now known as the Methodist Episcopal
Centenary church. Soon after, on account of his health being poor, he
returned to Lee count}^, and being disqualified for preaching he engaged
in business pursuits for the next two or three years. He was one of
the founders of Lee Center, and held for a time the office of postmaster
He was also one of the original projectors and stockholders of the Lee
Center Academy and a metnber of the fii'st board of trustees. On the
passage of' the state school law the grounds and building were turned
over to the town without compensation, to be used as a free school,
provided the system of education should be kept at a certain standard,
which trust was accepted by the school directors of the district. Dr.
Hitchcock reentered the ministry in 184:7, and for thirteen years was
presiding elder of the district, which then contained all the territory
now embraced in the Rock River conference and a large portion of the
present Central Illinois conference. In 1860 he was elected by the
general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church an agent of the
Western Book Concern. His services in this position were extremely
valuable, and gave him a high reputation as a business manager. He
filled this position until 1880, having been at five succeeding quadren-
nial conferences. He has also been elected a member of every general
conference since the year 1852. In the fall of 1880 he again be-
came presiding elder of the Dixon district, which position he still fills.
He has been honored b}^ the Wesleyan University of Middletown, •
Connecticut, with the degree of A.M., and with that of D.D. by the
Cornell College, of Mount Vernon, Iowa, both being conferred without
the knowledge of the recipient. Dr. Hitchcock was married in 1837,
to Miss Jane E. Birdsall, of Fabius, New York, who is still living.
They have seven children: Birdsall I., residing in Colorado; Eliza-
beth, who is married to J. E. Wilson, Esq., of Chicago, a member of
the well-known firm of Wilson Brothers; Myra, married to Dr. C. H.
Fowler, of New York ; Mar}^ mari-ied to Charles E. Smith, Esq., of
Cincinnati ; Ella, married to E. C. Wilson, Esq., of Wilson Brothers.
Chicago; Adelaide, married to Archer Brown, Esq., of Cincinnati,
and Charles A., engaged in business in Chicago. Dr. Hitchcock has
an unblemished record, during nearly half a century of service, as a
spotless man, intelligent patriot, and devout christian.

William ITiil, dealer in agricultural implements, Dixon, was born
in Alleghany county, Maryland, 1819, and is the son of Daniel and
Mary (Lind) Uhl. He was educated in Gettysburg College, Pennsyl-
vania, graduating about 1845. He entered tlie ministry of the Evan-
gelical Lutheran church, and in 1851 removed to Peru, Illinois, re-
maining in that pastorate until 1853, when he removed to Dixon,

Dixoisr TOWNSHIP. 221

where he organized a church of the denomination to which he belonged,
of wliich he was the pastor for about two years, being at the same time
engaged in farming. In 1860 he resigned his pastoral charge on ac-
count of ill health, and having purchased the " Farmers' Mill " w^as
engaged in the milling business until 1867, when he returned to farm-
ing. In February, 1851, he purchased the agricultural implement
business from the Farmers' Association, placing his son, E. C. Uhl, in
charge as manager. He was a charter member of both the banks
located at Dixon, and has been an ofiicer and director of each at various
times since their organization. Mr. Uhl was married in 1840, at
Wellersburg, Pennsylvania, to Miss Lucinda Cook, and has four chil-
dren. The eldest is Jonathan, born in 1811, and now residing in Page
county, Iowa, engaged in stock farming ; E. C, who was born in 1844,
and is a resident of Dixon ; Ellen, born in 1842, and married to J. H.
W. Bennett, and Josie E., born in 1847, and married to Z. D. Mathuss.
Both daughters now reside at Shenandoah, Page county, Iowa, where
their husbands are engaged in business. E. C. Uhl, who manages the
business at Dixon, was born at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and accom-
panied his father during the various removals before mentioned. He
was married in 1874 to Miss Yirginia Roe, daughter of Col. E. R.
Roe, of Springfield, Illinois. Mr. William Uhl has been a life-long
democrat, while his son is a firm supporter of the principles and policy
of the republican party.

David Welty, Dixon, was born in Williamsville, Erie county,
]^ew York, September 30, 1811. His parents were Jacob and Betsy
(Horshey) Welty. His pai-ents removed to Buffalo when he was
twelve years of age, and he acquired the greater part of his education
at that place. When he became of age he engaged in the dry-goods
business, which he followed for several years. At the time of the
patriot war in Canada Mr. Welty served as aid on the staff of Gen.
Burt. His health being in a very precarious condition he removed to
Dixon, in 1838, and has since resided in Lee county, part of the time
in the city, and the remainder has been spent on his farm lying near
Dixon. He was elected probate judge in 1854, and served two terms
of four years each, and also held the office of drainage commissioner
for several years. Judge Welty was married at Buffalo, Kew York,
on October 23, 1834, to Miss Seraphina Scott, daughter of John and
Brilliant (Holmes) Scott, and a native of Mayville, Chautauqua county,
New York, who is still living, and they have nine surviving chil-
dren : Emily, who married Leander Devine, December 26, 1866, and
is residing at Dixon ; Ellen, married to E. K. Sibley, December 7,
1870, and living in St. Louis; John, employed in pension office at
Washington, D. C. ; Maxwell A., who resides in St. Louis ; Adeline,

222 HISTORY OF LEE DOTJNTY.

Anna, Charles, William and George, all of whom are at present living
in Dixon.

Charles W. Latimer, marble dealer, Dixon, was born in Sodus,
Wajue county, New York, September 5, 1845, and is the son of
Henry M. and Ann E. (Williams) Latimer. His parents removed to
Lyons, New York, during his infancy, and he acquired his education
at the Lyons union school. After leaving school he worked for two
years at the trade of marble cutting. He enlisted, December 1863, in
the 9th New York heavy artillery, and serving through the remainder
of the war was mustered out September 29, 1865. On returning home
he worked at his trade at Albion, New York, and Erie, Pennsylvania,
and in June, 1867, entered the marble works of Day & Ashcraft, at
Norwich, New York, with whom he remained until 1874, when he
removed to Dixon, and in company' with M. L. Young purchased the
marble works of J. Y. Westervelt, carrying on the business under the
firm name of Latimer & Young. June 1, 1876, he purchased the inter-
est of Mr. Young, and with the exception of a few months has since
conducted the business solely on his own behalf. Mr. Latimer was
married January 8, 1873, to Miss Ella Backus, of Palmyra, New York,
who died September 7, 1876. They had only two children, the eldest
of whom died in November 1875, and the second soon after birth. Mr.
Latimer ranks high in the Masonic fraternity, being at present recorder
of the Dixon Commandery, K.T. He is also superintendent of Oak-
wood cemetery, and the neat and beautiful appearance of this " city of
the dead " speaks well for his watchful management. A visit to the
works of Mr. Latimer will prove that in the quality of his work, its du-
rability, and in all other respects, he ranks head and shoulders over the
establishments of a similar character in far larger cities, and his integ-
rity and urbanity is daily extending the already large circle of his
friends.

Thomas P. Hodnett, pastor of the Catholic church, Dixon, was
born in Glin, county Limerick, Ireland, Februar3' 2, 1815, and is the
son of Thomas P. and Elizabeth (Hanlon) Hodnett. At the age of
seventeen he left his native town and entered the Jesuit college at
Limerick, where he remained for four 3'ears, and was for one year at
the Catholic university of Ennis, county Clare. He then passed his ex-
amination at Dublin, after which he entered the Irish college at Paris,
France. He remained there for three years, and then came to America,
and after passing eight months at St. Mary's of the Lake seminary,
he entered St. Francis seminar}^ and was ordained September 30, 1866,
and was appointed assistant to Pight Rev. John Henry Morris at Water-
town, Wisconsin, where he remained a year, when he was transferred
to the pastoral charge of Potosi, Wisconsin, and afterward to Lancaster,

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DIXON TOWNSHIP. 225

Wisconsin, and several other pastorates. In 1871 was appointed by
Bishop Foley, pastor at Dixon, and assumed charge in January 1875.
He has a school in connection with his church under the charge of
four sisters belonging to the order of St. Dominic, with an average at-
tendance of 150 pupils. The grades are arranged similarl}^ to those of
the city schools, and a public examination is held each year, conducted
by prominent and influential citizens of Dixon. The cost of the pres-
ent church and the ground was about $30,000, and the value of the
property belonging to the church in the city is estimated at $40,000.
The congregation consists of about 175 families, and the church has a
seating capacity of 650 persons. There are also affiliated missions at
Harmon and Ashton, in Lee county. The value of the property be-
longing to the former is estimated at $7,500, and to the latter at $5,000.
Father Hodnett has an able assistant in the Rev. James F. Clancy, who
was appointed associate pastor at Dixon early in 1879.

George W. J. Brown, physician, Dixon, was born in Greensboro,
Pennsylvania, in 1846, and is the son of John C. and Elizabeth (Hop-
ton) Brown. His father was a glass manufacturer and farmer. Both
parents are still living on a farm near Greensboro. He was brought
up and received his early education at the public and select schools of
the vicinity, and afterward pursued a course of study at the Greene
academy. He then taught school for several terms, the first one when
only fifteen years of age. In 1865 begun the study of medicine with
Dr. G. W". John, of Stewartstown, Virginia, reading with him until
the fall of 1867, when he went to Philadelphia and began a regular
course of medical study at the Pennsylvania and Blockney hospitals
and university, graduating in the spring of 1869. He then took charge
of his preceptor's practice at Stewartstown, Yirginia, and remained a
year. In 1870 he removed to Mej^crsdale, Pennsylvania, and continued
the practice of medicine and surgery there until 1877, when he sold out
his good will to Dr. J. Ernest Meiers, of Washington, D.C., and re-
moved to Illinois. He matriculated at the Hahnemann Medical College,
in Chicago, taking a course and graduating from the above named col-
lege in the spring of 1878. In the same year he succeeded to the prac-
tice of Dr. J. A. Steele, of Dixon, of the firm of Steele & Blackman, and
remained a partner of Dr. Blackman for two j'ears. In 1880 he opened
an office alone in front rooms over Petersberger's clothing store on
Main street, where he continues to practice his profession. Dr. Brown
was married in 1872, to Miss Maggie M. Miller, of Meyersdale, Penn-
sylvania, and has two children, Charles L., aged seven years, and Edna
Florence, aged four years. Dr. Brown is a republican and a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church.

William H. Godfrey, Dixon, was born in western New York in
14

226 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

1826, and is the son of Charles and Harriet (Horton) Godfrey. He
received his education at Geneva, New York, where he resided until
he was twenty-four years of age. His health failing he removed to
Gloucester, Virginia, where he purchased a plantation and engaged in
farming for the space of live years, after which he came to Dixon and
purchased the flouring-mill then owned and operated by Brooks &
Daly. In the following year he purchased a half interest in the water-
power, which he still retains. He soon after built a second mill, which
was subsequently burned and never rebuilt. In 1860 he sold a half
interest in the mill to John Becker, and shortly afterward sold the
remaining interest to Nathan Underwood. Since that time Mr. God-
fre}^ has been principally engaged in looking after his real-estate inter-
ests in Dixon and vicinity, he being a large land owner. Mr. Godfrey
was married at Geneva, New York, in 1819, to Miss Catharine J. Du-
gan, a native of New York city, but at that time a resident of Geneva.
They have four children. Politically Mr. Godfrey's affiliations are
democratic, and he is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Oliver Everett, physician, Dixon, was born September 12,1811,
at Worthington, Massachusetts. His parents were James and Phebe
(Clark) Everett. When he was eight years of age his father's family
removed to Cummington, Massachusetts, where he attended school
for some years, after which he entered Berkshire medical school, con-
nected with Williams College, at Williamstown, Massachusetts, gradu-
ating in 1836. Having determined to make his home in the then dis-
tant State of Illinois, in September, 1836, he arrived at Dixon, where
he decided to locate. He at once engaged in the practice of his profes-
sion, which he has since continued uninterruptedly and with eminent
success. At the time of his arrival there was no medical practitioner
at Dixon, though a Dr. Forrest, a native of Kentucky, had made that
point his headquarters for about a year, but had gone away a short
time prior to Dr. Everett's arrival, and the latter is not only the first
physician who permanently located in Dixon, but has also resided
there for a longer continuous period than any person now living. Dr.
Everett was elected mayor of Dixon in 1863, and served his fellow-
citizens in that capacity to the satisfaction of all. He took consider-
able interest in the establishment of the northern insane asylum
located at Elgin, and was a member of the first board of trustees of
that institution, serving from 1869 to 1873. The doctor takes a great
interest in scientific matters generally, and has a remarkably fine col-
lection of specimens in various departments of natural history. Polit-
ically he has been a firm supporter of the principles of the republican
party from its organization. Dr. Everett was first married in 1838,
to Miss Emily Everett, at Princeton, Illinois. Her death occurred a

DIXON TC'WNSHIP. 227

few years later. He was again married in 1846, to Miss Bessie Law,
of Dixon, wlio died May 4, 1881. Three children resulted from this
union : Dr. "Wm. L. Everett, who died in October 1873, aged twent}'-
four years; Dr. J. M. Everett, who is now a partner with his father
in tlie practice of medicine, and a daughter, who is the wife of W. N.
Johnson, Esq., a well known citizen of Dixon.

Walter McL. Wadsworth, undertaker, Dixon, was born in Hart-
ford, Connecticut, in 1811, and is the son of Richard and Ann
(McLean) Wadsworth. His parents removed to Canandaigua, New
York, in 1812, where they resided about ten years, when the}^ went to
Bnifalo, New York, and here the subject of our sketch received his
education. After leaving school he learned the cabinet-making trade,
which he followed for several years. When about thirtj'-five years of
age Mr. Wadsworth removed to Three Rivers, Michigan, and carried
on the furniture business for two years after which he returned to
Livonia, New York. He resided there about four years, when he re-
moved to Rochester, New York, and after a two years' residence in
that city came west and located at Dixon in 1854, when he engaged
in furniture business, which he followed until 1861, when he sold out
and was appointed United States internal revenue collector for the
district, which position he occupied for eiglit years. His health being
impaired by being so closely confined to office work, he resigned the
position of collector and for three years acted as agent for Fairbanks'
scales. He then became engaged in the undertaking business, which
he still conducts. Mr, Wadsworth was married in 1834, to Miss Emily
Benjamin, at Brantford, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth, after
nearly half a centurj^ of wedded life, vie in energy and activity witlT
their neighbors of a later generation. They have one child, Mrs.
Anna Wadsworth Worthington, who was born at Livonia, New York,
and she also has one child, Walter E. Worthington, who was born
November 13, 1866. Mr. Wadsworth has always been a republican,
and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

James B. Pomeroy, merchant, Dixon, was born in Cuyahoga
county, Ohio, in 1840. His parents were Ebenezer and Mary A.
(Bronson) Pomeroy. Soon after his birth his parents removed to
Kenosha, Wisconsin, where they resided until the death of his father
in 1876, his mother having died in 1867. He was educated at Keno-
sha, and when twenty years of age removed to Dixon and engaged in
the fruit business, which he continued until 1876, and then went into
the grocery trade. At the organization of the Dixon national bank in
1871 Mr. Pomeroy was elected a director by the stockholders and was
subsequently elected vice-president by the board of directors, which
position he still holds. He is also one of the most prominent members

228 irisTOKY OF lee county.

of the Masonic fraternity, being at present high priest of the chapter
of Royal Arch Masons, and eminent commander of Kniglits Templar.
Mr. Pomeroy is an active republican, a member of the Episcopal
church, and as yet has not assumed the duties and responsibilities of
the married state.

Oscar F. Ayres, insurance agent, Dixon, was born in 1809, in
Orange county. New York, and is the son of Benjamin F. and
Christiana (Minthorn) Ayres, and is of Scotch and German ancestry.
His father was a farmer and his son assisted hira on the farm and at-
tended the schools in the vicinity until he reached his twenty -first
year, when he removed to Albany, New York, and followed the busi-
ness of a merchant tailoi*. In 1831 he went to Fabius, Onondaga
count}', New York, conducting the same business. In 1839 removed
to Dixon, and in 1844 engaged in the dry-goods trade and continued
in it for thirty years. Before coming to Dixon he was a licensed min-
ister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He received his first ordination
about 1845, and his ordination as elder two or three years after. Dur-
ing all the years since that time he has filled the pulpit at various
places near to Dixon, officiated at funerals and marriages, and for many
years was called upon to fill any vacancy occurring in neighboring
localities. For the past seven years Mr. Ayres has been engaged in
the fire insurance business, and in 1871 made a trip to the Pacific coast
for the purpose of placing stock for the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph
Company, which he succeeded in doing. Mr. Ayres was married in
1831, to Miss Hannah M. Birdsall, who is still living. They have two
sons and four daughters, and on the 1st of March, 1881, Mr. and Mrs.
'Ayres celebrated their golden wedding, surrounded by their children
and grandchildren.

Mark Dornan, farmer, Dixon, was born in Ireland, in 1816. His
parents were Mark and Alice (Carey) Dornan. In 1836 Mr. Dornan
came to America, and after a short stay in the east came to Lee county
in 1837, and located upon land in Dixon township, which still forms a
portion of his present farm. He has now 240 acres of productive and
valuable land, which he leaves to the general care and management of
his son James. Mr. Dornan was married in 1843, to Miss Alice Cray-
craft, who died in July 1880, and there are five children living :
James, John and Susanna, who reside with their father, and Francis
and Mark, who reside upon their father's farm, but have homes of
their own, both being married.

John G. Fleck, farmer, Dixon, was born in Huntington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1816, and is the son of Henry and Catherine
(Raney) Fleck. His father was a farmer, and after leaving school
Mr. Fleck followed the same occupation in Huntington county, until

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 229

he arrived at the age of forty years, when he came west and located
npon his present farm in Dixon township, Lee county, Illinois. He
has 80 acres of fine land under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Fleck
v/as married in February 1839, to Miss JSTancy Buck, in Pennsylvania.
She was a daughter of Abram Buck, Esq., who came west and settled
in Ogle county in 1848. A family of six children was the result of
this union, four of whom are still living: Sarah, born in 1846, mar-
ried Ira S. Fleck, and is now living at Bunker Hill, Kansas; Horace,
born in 1853, is now a member of the firm of Fleck & Robinson, at
Dixon; Mary and Ella M., both of whom reside with their parents;
Alice, born in 1844 and died in 1865 ; Alma J., born in 1864 and died
June 13, 1881. The recent death of their youngest daughter, just
budding into womanhood, has inflicted a wound upon the hearts of
the bereaved parents which only those who have suffered a similar loss
can estimate. Mr. Fleck is independent in politics, though he generally
acts with the republicans, and is a member of the Evangelical Luth-
eran church.

William W. Waters, pump manufacturer, Dixon, was born in
1851, at Gloversville, New York, and is the son of George and Eliza
(Winter) Waters. His father followed the business of a tanner and
glover, and in 1855 removed to Illinois and settled at Ashton, Lee
county, since which time he has principally been engaged in farming.
W. W. Waters was brought up and educated at Ashton, and left home
in November, 1871, going to Amboy to learn the cabinet-making
trade. He remained there for three years and a half, after which he
removed to Rock Falls, Whitesides county, where he was employed by
the Keystone Burial Case Company for a year and a half. He then
came to Dixon and engaged in his present business in connection with
two partners under the title of the Dixon Pump Company. The bus-
iness is now carried on by Mr. Waters and Mr. George W. Knox, who
lately purchased the interest of Mr. Louis Merriman. Mr. Waters was
married on September 9, 1879, to Miss Ida M. Mills, daughter of Clin-
ton D. and Mary (Stanley) Mills, of Ashton. Mr. Waters is a repub-
lican, and a member of the Presbyterian church.

Oeville B. Blackman, physician, Dixon, was born in Hillsboro,
Illinois, on August 30, 1851, and is the son of George and Hannah J.
(Paisley) Blackman. His father was a carriage manufacturer, and died
at Hillsboro in 1858. His mother is still living and resides at Hills-
boro. During his earlier years Dr. Blackman attended the academy in
his native place, but when eleven years of age went to work in a
woolen factory, where he continued for six years. He then reentered
school, where he continued for three years, and at the same time com-
menced tlie study of medicine, reading with Dr. Fields, of Hillsboro.

230 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

He next tnnglit school for about a year at Irving, Illinois, after which
he went to Chicao;'© and attended a course of lectures at Hahnemann
Medical College, graduating March 3, 1873. Removed to Dixon in
May 1873, and entered upon the pi-actice of his profession. After a
year he formed a partnership with Dr. J. A. Steele, which continued
for four years and a half, until the removal of Dr. Steele, after which
he formed a partnership with Dr. G. W. I. Brown, which lasted for
two years, and was then dissolved, since which time he has practiced
alone.' Dr. Blackman was united in marriage to Miss Lncretia S.
Cress, of Hillsboi'O, on March 3, 1874, and has three children: Gertie,
aged six ; George, aged four ; Cress, aged three. Dr. Blackburn is a
thorough republican, and has been a member of the Evangelical Luth-
eran church for over thirteen years.

James Andrew Hawley, count}' clerk and banker, Dixon, is a na-
tive of New York, being born in Monroe connt}^, that state, on August
20, 1830, and is the son of James and Sarah (Stratton) Hawley. His
father was born in Connecticut, in 1791, and was the son of Stephen
Hawley, of English ancestors. During the acquirement of his education,
when a youth, he attended the Monroe Academy, and the Genesee
Wesleyan Seminary. From 18-48 to 1851 he devoted his time to school
teaching, after which he accepted a clerkship in the publishing house
of Wanzear, Beardsley A: Co., remaining with that firm until 1855,
when he became general agent for Messrs. A. S. Barnes &, Co., and
also Ivison, Phinney & Co., book publishers of New York city. Dur-
ing this time he became familiar with the west, and traveled through
Illinois looking after the interests of the above firms. In 1858 he set-
tled in Dixon and opened a book store, which he disposed of in 1861.
He ofiiciated for two years as commissioner of public schools. He has
filled the oflice of county clerk for Lee county for the last twentj' years,
being successively reelected from his first election in 1861. He served
as school director for a period of ten years, being first elected in 1863 ;
and was for a number of years the president of that board. For several
years he was a member of the board of directors of the Lee county na-
tiunal bank of Dixon, prior to 1878, when he became connected with
the Dixon national bank, acting as president until April 24, when he
was elected cashier, which responsible relation he still holds. He is
well known as a prominent Mason, and has not only ascended through
its sublime mysteries, but has occupied the highest official positions in
the state departments of this ancient order. In 1871 he was elected
Grand High Priest of the Eoyal Arch Chapter of the state; in 1873
and 1874 he was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Illi-
nois, and in 1874 was Grand Commander of Knights Templar for said
state. On June 20, 1855, Mr. Hawley was united in marriage to Miss

Dixojsr TOWNSHIP. 231

Mary A. Gardner, daugliter of Dr. Charles and Mary Gardner, then of
Dixon, Illinois. A family of five children resulted from the above
marriage union, two daughters and three sons : Mary Augusta, Charles
Gardner, Lloj'd Robinson, George William and Laura S. Charles G.
has been deputy county clerk of Lee county since January 1878. He
was born May 1, 1858, in the city of Dixon. In the fall of 1874 he
entered college at Racine, Wisconsin, and in the veinter of 1876 he en-
tered Ann Arbor state university, Michigan. On returning home from
the last-mentioned school he entered the county clerk's office and was
subsequently appointed deputy as above stated.

Webster W, Wynn, M.D., physician, Dixon, was born in Monroe
county, New York, August 22, 1818. His parents were John and
Amanda (Grunendike) Wynn. He spent his early life on a farm,
and commenced teaching school at the early age of sixteen, which pro-
fession he followed for several years, devoting his spare time to the
study of scientific branches preparatory to a medical course. Upon the
organization of Genesee College, New York, he entered the first
literary class formed, and remained in this school two years, when he
entered the Buffalo Medical College, at Buffalo, New York, graduat-
ing, after a three years' course, in the winter of 1855-6. After prac-
ticing in the above city for a short time he removed to Dixon, Illinois,
where he formed a partnership with Dr. N. W. Abbott, who in the
following year removed to Chicago. Following the dissolution of
this partnership Dr. Wynn continued the practice alone until January
1865, when he formed a partnership with Henry E. Pain, M.D., who
liad i-ecently removed from the east and settled in Dixon, which
genial association lias continued until the present time. He was
appointed surgeon at the military post at Dixon during the war of the
rebellion. On July 21, 1859, the doctor was united in marriage to
Miss Frances E. Latham, daughter of George and Amanda E. Latham,
formei'ly of Chenango county, New York, from which union resulted
two children, George Wesley and Frankie, who died respectively
October 23 and 31, 1862, and were followed by the mother to her
final resting-place on December 29 of the same year. On September
25, 1866, the doctor was united in marriage to Miss Georgiana
McKenney, of Dixon. This union was blessed with the birth of a
son, Hubart W., September 26, 1867, (deceased); Mary Frances,
October 17, 1869, and Harriet, March 6, 1871.

Charles F. Emerson, merchant, Dixon, was born in Castine. Maine,
in 1828, and is the son of Henry and Nancy (Hutchings) Emerson.
His father was a farmer and blacksmith, and resided in Castine up to
the time of his death. Mr. Emerson was brought up and educated in
his native town, and at the age of twenty went to sea in a vessel en-

232 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

gaged in the coasting and West India trade. He followed this occu-
pation until his twenty-seventh year, when he came west and located
on a farm in South Dixon township. After farming nearly seven years,
removed to Dixon, but did not engage in business until after the be-
ginning of the late war, when he went south and served the govern-
ment in different capacities for several years. He returned to Dixon
in 1865, and a year later bought an interest in the lumber business of
S. K. llpham, where he continued until 1875. Since then he has not
been engaged in active business until recently, having again gone into
the lumber trade in company with Mr. George D. Laing. Mr. Emer-
son was married at Boston, Massachusetts, in December 1855, to Miss
Hannah E. Avery, daughter of John A. and Eliza Avery. Mr. Emer-
son is a member of the republican party, and served as alderman of his
ward from 1872 to 1871 inclusive.

Gyrus A. Davis, dealer in lumber, Dixon, was born in I^ew Ipswich,
New Hampshire, June 11, 1824, and is the son of Gyrus and Mary
(Appleton) Davis, both of whom were born in the year 1800, and were
of English ancestry. His parents removed to the west when he was
about fifteen years of age, and located near Amboy, where his father
engaged in farming. Mr. Davis followed farming for about fourteen
years, when he returned to Massachusetts. He was soon after elected
a member of the Massachusetts legislatui-e, and among his colleagues
at this time were John A. Andrew, afterward known as the great
war governor Caleb Gushing, and many others who have since fig-
ured prominently in state and national politics. In September, 1858,
he returned west to look after his interests in Lee county, and
soon after engaged in the furniture business at Dixon, which he
carried on for nearly two years, and then conducted the book and sta-
tionery business for about the same length of time. For the past eleven
years he has been dealing in coal and lumber, which business he still
carries on, Mr. Davis was married in 1852, to Miss Sarah J. Holt, of
Ashby, Massachusetts, and they have but one child, a daughter, born
August 23, 1853, and married July 1, 1873, to S. S. Dodge, of Dixon.
Mrs. Dodge was the first child born in the town of Amboy after its
being laid out by the Illinois Gentral Railroad Gompany. Politically
Mr. Davis is an ardent republican and his family are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church.

Horace Preston, farmer, Dixon, was born in 1819, at New Ips-
wich, New Hampshire, and is the son of Jeremiah and Anna (Proc-
tor) Preston. His father being a farmer, Horace spent his earlier life
in working upon the farm and attending the neighboring schools. In
1830 he came west and located in Dixon, where he opened a blacksmith
shop, he being the second person to open a shop of this kind in Dixon.

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 233

John Wilson was the lirst to engage in that business, bnt before the
arrival of Mr. Preston he had given up his shop and was then building
a hotel. Mr. Preston carried on blacksmithing for fourteen years,
when he sold his shop and bought a farm near Dixon. After remain-
ing on this place five j^ears, he sold a portion and purchased another
farm near Lee Center, to which he removed. About nine o'clock in the
evening, June 3, 1859, Mr. Preston and his family having just retired,
they were startled by a peculiar roaring sound similar to that caused
by a conflagration. Thinking the house in flames, Mr. Preston hur-
ried to an adjoining room occupied by his two little daughters, and
seizing one under each arm was just turning to escape when the whole
roof of the house was torn ofi" and Mr. Preston and his children were
carried through the air a distance of eighty or ninety yards, where they
landed unhurt, with the exception of a few bruises. Mrs. Preston, who
had started downstairs carrying her infant, also escaped with her life,
but the child was killed. The next morning dawned upon a scene of
utter destruction. Everything in the track of the tornado had been
completely demolished. Houses, barns and fences were swept away,
crops were ruined, and trees were blown down. The same spot which
the previous evening had been a prosperous and comfortable home was
now a scene of desolation and ruin. A day or two after the passage of
the cyclone Mr. Preston hauled seventy-flve loads of debris from a
small portion of his farm, consisting of not more than ten or fifteen
acres. In the following year Mr. Preston sold this farm and again
engaged in farming near Dixon, which he continued until the spring of
1880, when he removed into the city. Mr. Preston was married at
Dixon in 1849, to Miss Jane Wood, and the result of this union has
been three children, the eldest of whom is Ella, who is married and
resides in Massachusetts ; Jennie who is married to William Packard,
and residing in Dixon, and Clara who resides with her parents.

Jacob Brubakek, jr., merchant, Dixon, is a native of Pennsyl-
vania, and was born in March 184'1. His parents were Jacob and
Lydia (Whitmen) Brubaker, who removed to Ogle county, Illinois, in
1848, where his father engaged in farming. In 1852 the family re-
moved to Dixon, but in 1855 they returned to Ogle county. Mr.
Brubaker left home in 1859, and went to Polo, Illinois, where he
became a clerk in a dry-goods store, remaining there until September
1864, when he enlisted in the 92d 111. Mounted Vols. He accompa-
nied Sherman's army on their march to the sea, and after the sur-
render of Johnston was mustered out of service in June 1865. He
then returned to Polo, but in 1867 removed to Dixon, where he fol-
lowed his former occupation until 1873, when he was employed by
Becker & Underwood, with whom he remained until the spring of

234 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

18S0. He soon after associated himself with Capt. Dysart in the flour
jobbing and grain business, which he still carries on. In December,
1865, Mr. Brubaker was married to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Isaiah
and Clarissa Wilcox, of Buffalo Grove, who were among the first set-
tlers in that locality. Mr. Brubaker has three children living: ISTellie,
aged fifteen ; George, aged eleven, and Sadie, aged tliree. Mr. Bru-
baker is a republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Sylvanus K. Upham, retired merchant, Dixon, is a native of Cas-
tine, Maine, where he was born in 1811. His parents were Sylvanus
and Mary (Avery) Upham. He is a descendant of old Puritan stock,
the first Upham having come to America in 1635, and settled in Massa-
chusetts, where the family remained until about the beginning of the
present centur}', when Mr. Upham's father removed to Maine, where
he died in 1832. Mr. Upham attended school until his fifteenth year,
when he went to sea, which vocation he followed for two years, when
he settled at Salem, Massachusetts, and learned the tanning trade.
After remaining there about four years he returned to Castine, where
for ten ^^ears he carried on a tannery. In 1841: he removed to Boston
and engaged in the grocery business, but, catching the gold-fever in
1849, he went to California, remaining there for two years, when he
returned to Massachusetts. In November, 1852, he removed to Dixon
and engaged at once in the lumber business, which he carried on until
1875, since which time he has not been engaged in active business.
Mr. Upham was married in January 1839, to Miss Mary A. Bi'ooks, of
Castine, who died at Dixon, December 30, 1870. They had four
childi-en, three of whom survive, the eldest being Margaret B., born
in November 1839, now the widow of Charles Wright, Esq. Mrs.
Wright is at present living in Paris, and is an authoress of consid-
erable distinction. Lieut. Frank Upham, born in 1841, is an ofiicer in
the 1st U. S. Cav., at present stationed at Fort Walla Walla, Washing-
ton Territory ; Charles C, born in 1852, is residing in Mexico, as resi-
dent engineer of the Mexican Central railroad. Annie G., born in
1845, was married in 1866, to Edward B. Utley, Dixon, and died
June 12, 1867. Mr. Upham was married a second time in 1872,
to Mrs. Angelina Sewell, relict of the Rev. Daniel Sewell, of Win-
throp, Maine, who died in 1866. Way back two centuries and a half
ago we find the ancient records speaking in high terms of the services
of Lieut. Phineas Upham, who served with distinction in the long and
bloody contest waged between the sturdy settlers of Massachusetts and
the savage hordes of King Phillip, and who finally perished from
wounds sustained at the hands of the treacherous foe.

Nicholas Plein, brewer, Dixon, was born in Frier, Germany,
November 8, 1848, and is the son of John and Margaret (Plein) Plein.

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 235

He received his education at the schools of his native town, and when
eighteen years, of age came to America and settled in Dixon, where he
worked several months for Valentine Thoman. He then removed to
Ch.icago, where he remained a short time and then returned to Dixon,
where he again entered into the employ of Mr. Thoman. After the
death of the latter, which occurred in June 1873, he purchased the
property and business which he still carries on. Mr. Plein was mar-
ried in 1873, to Mrs, Christina (Sold) Thoman, a daughter of Louis
and Christina (Keller) Sold. She was born in France in 1846, and has
resided in Dixon since 1854:. There are six children : Charles, aged
seventeen ; Constant, aged thirteen ; Joseph, aged eleven ; Amelia,
aged nine; Kitty, aged five, and Louis, aged one.

Samuel Shaw, farmer, Dixon, was born in Scotland, October 1803,
and is the son of James and Sj^dney (Forsythe) Shaw. His father
was the owner of a large stock farm near Glasgow, but removed
to the north of Ireland when Samuel was about seven years of age,
where the latter was brought up and educated. When eighteen years
of age he came to America, and settled at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
After remaining there three years he returned to Ireland, where he
engaged in farming for several years. He again came to Ainerica, and
in 1833 located in Cass county, Illinois, where he resided until 1854,
when he removed to Palmyra township, where he remained until 1875.
Since that time he has been a resident of the city of Dixon, engaged in
no active business, but owning about 600 acres of good farming land in
the vicinity of the city. Mr. Shaw was married in 1827, to Miss Mary
Campbell, a native of Scotland, and who, after the lapse of more than
half a century, still remains the sharer of his jo^'S and sorrows. They
have four sons and three daughters surviving, the eldest of whom is
James, born in 1833, and now a leading attorney of Mount Carroll, Illi-
nois. William, born 1835, has a large stock farm in Missouri. Arch-
ibald, born in 1837, is farming in Kansas. Samuel, born in 1844, is
practicing law at Kansas city, Missouri. Three daughters, Elizabeth,
Mary and Cathrine, reside in Dixon with their parents. One son,
Timothy, born in 1839, was a student at Illinois College at the out-
break of the war, and enlisted at the first call for troops in April 1861,
and died at St. Louis in August 1861, from disease contracted in the
service. Mr. Shaw is a firm believer in the republican party and its
principles, and attends the Presbyterian church.

Hon. Henry D. Dement^ Secretary of State for Illinois, was born
at Galena, Illinois, in 1840, and is the son of Col. John and Mary
L. (Dodge) Dement, and is the grandson on his mother's side of
General Dodge, the first governor of Wisconsin. At the age of five
years he removed with his parents from Galena to Dixon, where he

236 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY,

attended school for several 3'ears, and linishing the course at Mount
Morris Seminary, at Mount Morris, Ogle county, Illinois. At the age
ot" twenty years he enlisted in the service of his country, going into the
13tli 111. Inf. in October 1861. On the organization of the companies
he was elected a second lieutenant, and within a short period was pro-
moted to first lieutenant, and captain, receiving a complimentary com-
mission for the latter position from Gov. Yates, for gallantry at Arkan-
sas Post and Chickasaw Bayou. He served with Gen. Curtis in all his
campaigns west of the Mississippi, and was in the IStli Army Corps
during the siege of Vicksburg. Soon after the fall of the latter place
he I'esigned his command and returned home. Soon afterward he
engaged in the manufacture of plows etc. at Dixon, in connection with
W. M. Todd, but sold out to F. K. Orvis & Co. in 1870. Shortly
afterward he engaged in the manufacture of flax bagging for covering
cotton bales, which he carried on until 1880, when he was burned out
in the large fire that occurred in the spring of that year. Capt. De-
ment was elected to the lower house of the Illinois legislature in
November 1872, and reelected in 1874, and at the expiration of that
term was elected to the senate from the counties of Lee and Ogle, and
served four years. In the spring of 1880 he was nominated by the
republican state convention as their candidate for the position of secre-
tary of state, and elected in the following November by upward of
40,000 majority. He was married October 20, 1864, to Miss Mary F.
Williams, daughter of Hon. Hezekiah Williams, of Castine, Maine, and
the result of this union has been three daughters : Gertrude M., aged
fifteen years, Lucia W., aged thirteen years, and Nonie E., aged five
years. Capt. Dement and his wife are members of the Presbyterian
church.

TuoMAS McCltne, farmer, Dixon, was born in Yenango county,
Pennsylvania, in 1831, and is the son of William and Keziah (Pax-
ton) McCune. His father was a farmer, and is still living in Pennsyl-
vania. Mr. McCune was brought up and educated in Yenango county,
and after his arrival at manhood engaged in farming. In 1872 he came
west and located on his present farm in Dixon township, wiiich consists
of 183 acres of valuable land with large and commodious buildings in
first-class order. He was married June 3, 1858, to Miss Lydia J.
Williams, a resident of Yenango county, Pennsylvania. They have
five children as follows : Miles, aged twenty-three ; Irvin, aged twenty-
one ; Sarah J., aged eighteen; Ellen, aged thirteen; and Maud, aged
nine years ; all of whom reside at home. Mr. McCune is a democrat
in his political afiiliations.

Joseph B. Brooks, deceased, for ten years a prominent citizen of
Dixon, was born at Castine, Maine, on August 15, 1820, and is the

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 237

son of Barker and Margaret (Perkins) Brooks. He left home and
went to Boston about 1843, where he engaged in the shipchandlery
business in connection with Mr. S. K. Upham. In 1845 he returned
to Dixon and opened a general merchandise store, and for the next ten
years did the largest business of any merchant in this section. He
was one of the original projectors as well as one of the largest owners
in the water-power at Dixon, and put up the first machinery after the
construction of the dam for the purpose of running the saw-mill.
During his entire career he was one of the most active and energetic
leaders in any enterprise that promised to promote the interests of
Dixon, but died on December 20, 1855, in the very prime of life.
He was married in Dixon, January 6, 1847, to Miss Ophelia A.
Loveland, of New York, by whom he had two children, Henry J.
and Margaret A., both of whom still reside in Dixon. His son. Dr.
H. J. Brooks, was born in Dixon, October 9, 1850, where he received
his earlier education. After leaving school he commenced reading
medicine witli Dr. J. A. Steele, and then entered the medical depart-
ment of the aSTorthwestern University of Chicago, graduating in 1874.
He then took a course of lectures and a diploma at the Long Island
College Hospital at Brooklyn, New York, and also at Bellevue Med-
ical College, New York. He then returned to Illinois, and was ap-
pointed assistant physician at the Northern Insane Asylum, where he
remained some three years, serving with great credit to himself as
shown by the report of the superintendent. Dr. Kilbourn. Resigning
this position in January, 1876, he went to Europe with a view of re-
maining there a couple of years, but was recalled in a few months by
a dangerous accident happening to his mother. Early in 1879 he
entered upon the active practice of his profession at Dixon, which he
still carries on. Dr. Brooks was married June 18, 1879, to Miss Clara
Y. Daggett, a resident of Elgin. Politically the doctor acts with the
republican party, and is a member of the Presbyterian church.

EzEA Emmert, inventor, Dixon, was born in Washington county,
Maryland, July 6, 1826, and is the son of Joseph and Catharine
(Evey) Emmert. His father was a farmer, and Ezra was brought up
on the farm and attended school in the vicinity. When nineteen
years of age he came west and located in China township in Lee county,
where he carried on a farm for about eight years. During this time
he commenced experimenting on various improvements in farm ma-
chinery. Among his more important inventions was a combined
seeder and cultivator, now manufactured at Dixon by the Orvis
Plow Company, and from which he realized a considerable amount
of money. He was also the original inventor of what is known as the
Marsh harvester, his 'patent dating from 1857. He has now under

238 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

process of completion several iinportaiit improvements in this machine.
He also patented a corn-planter, rotary seed-drill, etc. Mr. Emmert
moved into Dixon in November 18S0, where he has since resided.
He was married at Franklin Grove in 1850, to Miss Sarah A. New-
comer, who died November 18, 1880. There are two children living:
Mar}' C, married to T. J. Miller, of Dixon, and Eleanor A., aged
twenty-one years, and residing in Dixon. In politics Mr. Emmert is
an adherent of the republican party.

D. B. Ayres, harness-maker, Dixon, was born in Albany, New
York, April 29, 1833, and is the son of Oscar F. and Hannah M.
(Birdsain Ayres. His parents removed to Lee county in 1839, where
he was brought up and educated, and after leaving school, when six-
teen years of age, he entered the shop of H. O. Kelsey for the purpose
of learning the harness-making trade, which he followed for several
years. He then became a clerk for the dr\'-goods firm of Wood &
Boardman, and afterward engaged in the same capacity for his father
for about two years, when he became a partner in the dry-goods busi-
ness with his fathei', but in a couple of years the firm was burned out.
He then engaged in farming for some three years, after which he
returned to Dixon and went into his present business, which he has
followed for nearly twenty years. Mr. Ayres was married on August
11, 1858, to Miss Sarah J. Perry, of Dixon, and they have two chil-
dren: Minnie, aged twenty, and Oscar P., aged seventeen, both of
whom reside with their parents.

Eli C. Smith, principal of the south side public school, Dixon, was
born in 1829, in Essex county, New York, and is the son of Almerin
and Lois (Larrabee) Smith. His f|ther was a farmer, and in 1833 was
a member of the New York legislature. He died in Savannah, Illi-
nois, in 1854. E. C. Smith was brought up and educated in the State
of New York, and came to Illinois in 1850, locating first at Geneva,
and after remaining there a year removed to Rock Island, where he
resided for three years as principal of the Rock Island Seminary. In
1855 he came to Dixon and commenced his school-work in what was
then known as the Dixon Collegiate Institute, — now known as Rock
River University, — where hg continued until the fall of 1857, He
then engaged in the mercantile business, which he carried on until the
fall of 1861, at which time he became principal of the south side Dixon
school, which position he still fills. Mr. Smith is also manager and
part proprietor of the Nachusa nursery, which was established in 1854
by J. T. Little, and purchased by Mr. Smith, in connection with his
brother, the Rev. Dr. Smith, of Chicago, in 1871. Dr. Smith is also
editor of the "Standard," a religious journal of the Baptist denomina-
tion. Mr. Smith was first married at Granville, Washington county,

DIXON TOWNSHIP. 239

New York, on December 2, 1853, to Miss Eliza A. Mason, who died
in October 1870, and left surviving two sons: Herbert O., born in
September 1859, at Dixon, and who is now practicing medicine in
Minnesota, and Edward T., born in Morrison, Illinois, July 26, 1861,
and residing at Dixon. His second marriage occurred September 26,
1872. to Miss Seraphina F. Gardner, of Dixon, by whom he has three
children : Kenneth G., aged seven years ; Percy A., aged five, and
Anna M., aged two years. In politics he is a member of the repub-
lican party, and belongs to the Baptist church.

Charles A.Todd, mercliant, Dixon, is a native of Broome county,
New York, having been born there September 4, 1857. His parents
were George W. and Frances M. (Yarrington) Todd. His father is a
farmer and both parents are still living. Mr. Todd received his educa-
tion at the schools in the vicinity of his birthplace, and alter leaving
school came to Dixon in 1869 and entered the store of his nncle, J. H.
Todd, as a clerk, where he remained until January 1, 1879, when he
purchased the hat and cap business of J. C. Keir, and on January 1,
1880, bought a half interest in the clothing and furnishing goods business
conducted for many years by his uncle above mentioned, and since that
time both stores have been carried on under the firm, name of J. H. &
C. A. Todd. Mr. Todd was married to Miss Sarah J. Austin, of Dixon,
December 26, 1877. He is one of the most enterprising young mer-
chants of Lee county, and by his fair dealing and energy has established
an enviable reputation. His political affiliations are republican and he
is a member of the Baptist church.

JosiAH Fry, ice-dealer, Dixon, is a native of Lee county, having
been born in Dixon township in 184j^, and is the son of John and Mary
(Klinetop) Fry. His father came to Lee county at an early day and
engaged in farming. He is still living on his farm near Dixon. Mr.
Fry was educated at the schools neau his home and in Dixon, and after
leaving school followed farming for about ten years. In 1872 he moved
into Dixon and engaged in the coal and lumber business, which he
carried on until about a year ago, at which time he bought out the ice
business formerly conducted by Louis Faulthaber, and has since been
engaged in that enterprise. Mr. Fry was married September 13, 1866,
to Miss Mary C. Stettler, of Pennsylvania, and his family consists of six
children : John E., aged fourteen ; Mary E., aged twelve ; Bert, aged
nine ; Annie E., aged seven ; Ollie, aged five, and Ernest J., aged two
years. In politics Mr. Fry is a thorough-going and active republican.

Charles Dement, deceased, Dixon, was born in Franklin county,
Illinois, on December 25, 1822, and was the son of David and Elizabeth
(Kirkpatrick) Dement, and was a half-brother of Col. John Dement.
After the death of his father the family removed to Shelby county,

240 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Illinois, where his earlier years were spent, but in 1845 his mother came
to Dixon and he was sent as a student to Mount Morris Seminary. On
his return he became associated with his brother, Col. Dement, in deal-
ing in land, and while thus engaged he purchased a lai-ge interest in
what was then called Fulton City, but which is now known as Fulton,
Illinois. He soon after removed there, and erected at great expense
one of the largest and finest hotels in the west, which was called
the Dement House. He carried on this establishment for several
years, but it having caused him considerable financial embarrassment,
he finally sold the property, which is now used as an educational insti-
tution. He returned to Dixon and became engaged in land operations,
and also in farming to some extent, up to the time of his death, which
took place December 18, 1875. He was first married in 1851, to Miss
Amanda Sterling, of Dixon, of which marriage there is one child sur-
viving, Charles A. Dement, whose sketch will be found below. Mr.
Dement was married a second time, to Miss Myra Huntley, of Dixon,
December 25, 1861, and at his death left four children surviving : David
Louis, aged nineteen ; Marian A., aged seventeen ; George W., aged
twelve, and Amelia E., aged nine years.

Charles A. Dement, son of Charles and Amanda (Sterling)
Dement, was born in Dixon, November 20, 1852, and received his
education principally at the public schools of that city, though for three
years he was a student at the Western Union College, Chicago. After
completing his education he began his business career as a dealer in
fancy fruits and groceries, which he carried on for about two years, but
in 1876 engaged in the livery business at Dixon, which he still carries
on. He was married September 30, 1880, to Miss Jennie Hunt, of
Stanwood, Iowa. Mr. Dement is a young man of business habits and
ability, and has the characteristic push and enterprise which were
exhibited in the business careers of his father and uncle.

John Coffey, butcher, Dixon, was born in Oneida county. New
York, on March 9, 1841, and is the son of Timothy and
Ellen (Chanley) Coffey. His father was a farmer and died in the
State of New York in 1848. Mr. Coffey came west when only four-
teen years of age, and located at Peru, Illinois, where he learned the
trade of a butcher, and after following that occupation for a year or
two he also learned the tinsmith's trade. Soon after he removed to
Dixon and worked at various employments until 1865, when he en-
gaged in his present business. He was married at Dixon, in 1867, to
Miss Margaret E. Haley, and has three children : Mary E., aged eleven ;
Agnes A., aged seven ; and John H., aged three years. Politically
Mr. Coffey belongs to the republican party.

William Plein, restaurant, Dixon, was born at Trier, German}^,

^

A

^y^rcr-.

y'

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. ^^43

January 11, 1854, and is the son of John and Margaret (Plein) Plein.
He was brought up and educated in his native town, and wlien nine-
teen years of age came to America and located at Dixon. He was
soon after employed at the brewery of J. B. Clears, where he remained
several years, when he opened a restaurant and is now engaged in
that business. Mr. Plein was married February 18, 1881, to Miss
Rosa Buckmann, of Dixon, but after the short space of four months
lost his wife, Mrs. Plein dying June 15, 1881.

George G. Rosbrook, liveryman, Dixon, was born in Monroe
county, New York, November 5, 1835, and was the son of John B.
and Lucretia (Green) Rosbrook. His father was a farmer, and the
family removed to Niagara county, New York, soon after the birth of
George, and he was educated at Lockport, in that county. In 1854
his father came west and settled in Harmon township, Lee county,
where he engaged in farming and stock-raising, which he carried on
until the time of his death, in the spring of 1872. After the death of
his father the farm was managed by the subject of this sketch until
1874, wiien be came to Dixon and purchased the interest of J. T.
Cheney in the livery business, conducted by Cheney & Perry, the
new firm being Perry & Rosbrook. About a year later the partner-
ship was dissolved, and Mr. Rosbrook has since carried on the business
alone. He was married on January 16, 1858, to Miss Mary Tuttle, of
Harmon, and has six children surviving: Fannie, aged twenty-two,
was mai-ried to John Jenkins, of Harmon, in 1879 ; Tryon, aged
twenty-one, resides in Dakota, where he is engaged in farming; Nettie,
aged nineteen ; Bartow, aged seventeen ; Louis, aged fifteen, and
Emma, aged thirteen, are all residing at the home of their parents.
Politically Mr. Rosbrook is a member of the republican party.

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP.

This is No. 19 N., in R. 11 E. of the 4th P.M. Bureau county
bounds it on the south, and La Salle county forms half of the eastern
boundary. It has a very fertile soil and is but slightly undulating.
In places it is a little low, but is all capable of easy drainage. The
soil is black, excepting a little in the northwestern part, which is sandy.
Here a part of Palestine Grove covers Sec. 6 and portions of 5 and 7.
Nearly all of Knox Grove is in this township, on Sees. 24 and 25,
along Bureau creek, mostly on the south side. This stream enters the
township near the middle of the eastern boundary of Sec. 24, and
flows across the southeast corner, through Sees. 24, 26, 34 and 33, leav-
ing near the southeast corner of the latter. Below Knox Grove it is
15

244 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

slightly skirted with timber, and is the only stream of any importance
in the town. About half a mile south of it, and running nearly par-
allel with it, is a part of the old " Chicago road," which in an early
day led from that city to Princeton. Many of these diagonal roads
once intersected this region, but most of them have been abandoned.
A few remnants, however, still remain. A part of the original La Salle
and Grand Detour road is still in use through Sec. 17 and a part of 18.
In the eastern part of the town there are two pieces of road of the
same nature. There is a road running north and south through the
center of the town, and another east and west to within half a mile of
the east and west boundaries. The Illinois Central railroad crosses the
eastern line of Sec. 36, and runs nearly due northwest through Sees.
36, 25, 23, 15, 9, 8, 5 and 6, dividing the town nearly in the center.
The old Black Hawk " Array Trail " crossed the town in nearly the
same direction, entering near the southeast corner and leaving on the
west line of Sec. 18. The old telegraph line and stage route from
Dixon to Peru entered the town at the northwest corner of Sec. 30
and left near the center of the south line of the same section.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

The settlement of Sublette township dates from 1837. Jonathan
Peterson came to Ottawa, Illinois, in October 1836 ; he had come from
New Hampshire by Lake Erie to Detroit, and thence afoot to Ottawa.
Plere he spent the winter of 1836-7, and in February started for Lee
county. The same summer he made a claim in the northwestern part
of Sec. 4, Sublette, and after building a log cabin just over the line in
Lee Center, he went back to his native state and was married, return-
ing with his wife the following year. In June, 1837, Sherman
Hatch arrived in Dixon and came across the country to Lee Center
township to Chas. F. Ingals, who had settled there the previous year.
The same summer or fall he settled on the southwest part of Sec. 7,
taking possession of and completing a log house that had been partly
built b}' four young men from Chicago, who had abandoned their
claim. In the fall of 1837 Mr. Hatch returned to Vermont. He came
back the next year with his wife, whose marriage he had recently cel-
ebrated. He claimed a half section of prairie and nearly as much tim-
ber in the vicinity of his first settlement, but did not enter much of it,
having loaned most of his money to parties who were unable to pay
him when the land was offered for sale. The same fall Thomas and
William Fessenden, with their families, came on from New Hampshire,
Thomas Fessenden having been west as early as 1834 and returned the
same year to New Hampshire. They claimed land on Sees. 6 and 7,
and built a log house on the southeast corner of the N.W. ^ of Sec. 7,

SUBLEITE TOWNSHIP. 245

and moved into it in December, having lived in the meantime on the
" Blunt place," Amboy township. This was the first real settlement
in Sublette, and the nearest neighbor of the Fessendens at that time
was Joseph Doane, who was living about half a mile from the "Blunt
place." The following year William Fessenden built half a mile north,
on the southeast corner of the S.W. | of Sec. 6, where John H. Long
now lives. In 1838 Joseph Knox and his famil}' settled at the south
end of the grove which bears their name. The same year Sylvanus
Peterson settled on the S.E. ^ of Sec. 5. Before 1840 John Morton
and R. E. Goodall settled north of him on land now owned by William
Long, jr., and Russell Phillips on the southwestern part of Sec. 5,
claiming forty there and forty opposite in Sec. 8. In 1839 Daniel
Baird settled where ElijaJi Austin lives, on the La Salle and Grand
Detour road, on Sec. 17. Mr. Baird settled in La Salle in the fall of
1836. The same year (1839) Phineas Rust built the first frame liouse
in Sublette, on Sec. 30, half a mile south of where Ambrose Angier is
now living. Mr. Rust never lived here, but sold his claim, the N.E. ^
of Sec. 30, to Philo Stanard and Thomas Angier late in 1840. The
same year Thomas Tourtillott built a frame house 16x20 on Sec. 31,
and O. Bryant settled on the " Old Chicago road " on Sec. 35. In
1842 Thomas Angier built a frame house where his present buildings
are located. Gilbert Thompson also built on tlie site now occupied by
Mrs. Fauble, on the S. i of S.E. J Sec. 31.

In 1843 Ephriam Reniff" settled with his family on the S. ^ JST.E. ^
Sec. 19, and afterward entered the same. It was in this year that Hi-
ram Anderson settled on the N.E. ^ of S.E. ^ Sec. 33. The jumping
of his claim subsequently caused quite an excitement among the rulers
of the prairie. Bull, the offending party, lived at Dixon, and when it
was known that Anderson's claim had been "jumped," the "Claim;
Society," consisting of all the settlers within several miles, turned out
en masse, and going to Dixon well armed demanded the person of Mr.
Bull. There were about sixty-five in the party, and the "jumper"
was easily taken. While on their way back to the claim Sheriff Camp-
bell interviewed the party, and concluded an agreement with them by
which Bull was turned over to him. This was on the condition that
the contestants should meet on a certain fixed day, and that the
deed of the "forty" in dispute should be returned to Anderson, who
was to pay the first cost of the land. The summary treatment em-
ployed in this case had the desired effect, and settlers in this region
were not troubled again in a similar way. In 1844 Alpheus Crawford
came to the Knox Grove settlement, and bought from widow Pratt a
claim of eighty acres on the S. ^ of Sec. 13 for $75. At this time sev-
eral families had settled at the grove. Daniel Pratt, Levi Camp and

246 HISTOKY OF LEE noiJNTY.

J. B. Barton were early settlers here. The same year Prescott Bartlett
claimed the S. i of N.W. i and the N. i of S.W. i Sec. 20,
and built a log house on the same. Silas Reniflt" settled where he now
lives, on Sec. 20, and claimed about half a section. He entered only
160 acres, the N. i of N.E. ^ Sec. 20, and the S. ^ of S.E. ^ Sec. 17.
In this year (1844) John Betz settled on the S.E. ^ Sec. 33, and in
1845 Hoffman settled on the S.W. ^ of the same. In 1846 Bartholo-
mew Theiss made a claim of 120 acres on Sees. 29 and 30, where
Godfred Theiss lives. In 1844 R. P. Hubbard settled and claimed the
N.W. i of KE. I and N.E. i of N.W. ^ Sec. 17. H. N. Erskine set-
tled the " Kapser place," on Sec. 35, at an early day.

In the year 1844 was the land sale at Dixon. That year is known
to this day by old settlers as the wettest season on record, from May
until August. But few of the settlers were prepared to pay for their
land, and consequently they formed themselves into societies for the
protection of their homes, until they could raise the money necessary
to pay for the land they had claimed. The circumstance mentioned
above had the etfect of deterring speculators from abroad. Many farms
were secured through Mexican land warrants on the market here soon
after the close of the Mexican war. Many good farms were bought
with th.ese by men who could not have raised the cash to buj^from the
government at $1.25 per acre. But little land had been bought from
the government before these warrants appeared, but within live years
after nearly all was sold except that held by the Illinois Central Rail-
road Company, and this was sold very soon.

In an earl}' day wolves were plentiful, and are not yet extinct. In
1848 Alplieus Crawford and others killed a bear north of Knox Grove
which weighed 400 pounds.

For man}' years after the settlement of this region prairie iires
were the scourge of the settlements. Many are the thrilling incidents
related of their ravages. Mrs. Baird relates her experience in fighting
one when Mr. Baird was away from home. She whipped it until she
was completely exhausted and had suffered greatly from the heat of
the fire; and all the time expecting it would sweep their house and
entire personal effects. Early in October, 1845, the settlers were
visited by one of these fires. It is described by one of the early set-
tlers in nearly the following words : " After dark my family noticed
in the southwest the light of a fire so far off that it seemed it would
not reach them before morning. That night a family of emigrants
from Tennessee were camped in their wagon on a small piece of
breaking near my house. About midnight my wife was aroused by
loud knocking and other noise. Upon getting up she found a girl
about twelve years old nearly frightened to death. (This girl was the

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. 247

only one of the emigrants not sick.) Going ont of doors she saw the
whole country southwest and west in a blaze of fire, some of which
was thirty feet high. She started for the nearest house, which was
half a mile distant, and aroused the inmates, and then a quarter of a
mile further to another dwelling, where all were sleeping. These parties
all had property that would have been destroyed had they not been
warned. Upon returning home she found the worst danger over, the
main fire having passed a little northwest of the building and break-
ing. Her husband, who was in Chicago at the time, found on his
return the entire prairie burnt over."

Nearly all of the early settlers teamed to Chicago more or less till
the Illinois Central road came through. Produce was cheap, but this
was the only way known to raise a little money. Often would they
return home with a few trifles, the gross profits of an eight or ten days'
trip. Little or nothing was taken for expenses, and often would a man
be gone a week or two without entering a house. They would often
go in companies of ten or more ox-teams, generally entering the city
in the morning and coming out at night, thereby avoiding hotel bills.
For a good load of wheat or dressed-pork but a few dollars would be
realized. Often the driver had to unhitch his team and carry his load
out of a slough on his back, and not unlikely this interesting process
would have to be several times repeated during one trip. The farmers
also went a long distance to get their milling done. For several years
they M^ent to Greene's mill, at Dayton, and to other points on the Fox
river.

But little was seen of the Indians by the settlers of Sublette. Old
Shabona, however, with his followers, was an annual visitor for several
3^ears, passing, as he did, across the town on his way from his reser-
vation, in DeKalb county, to the swamp near Walnut grove, in Bureau
county. Shabona was a noble red-man, and on account of his friend-
ship shown the settlers in the Black Hawk war, became very much
endeared to them.

The first post-office was that of Brookfield, at Daniel Baird's house,
started about 1840,

In 1841 O. Bryant burned a kiln of brick on the northwest corner
of Sec. 35. In 1850 a certain Beck built a blacksmith shop on or near
the site now occupied by Dorsey Scott's shop. Richardson, Daniel
Baird, Thomas Tourtillott, and Morrison, just over the line in May
town, kept taverns in an early day.

Township Organization. — Soon after the organization of Lee
county the west half of Sublette, and what is now May, were known as
Bureau precinct; the polls were held at the house of Daniel Baird.
The east part of the township was incorporated with a part of Brooklyn,

248 HISTORY OF LEE OOUN^TY.

with their voting place at Kuox Grove. In 1849 the county was di-
vided into townships. This town was first called Hanio. The railroad
company having named their depot Sublette, it was desired to have the
name of the township correspond, and consequentl}^ a petition was sent
in the winter of 1856-T to John Y. Eustace, representative in the
Illinois legislature. The name was accordingly changed to Sublette.
This name was first employed, it is said, because of the frequent sub-
letting of the grading of the road in this vicinity. The first town
meeting was held on the second Tuesday in April 1850, "for the pur-
pose of electing town ofticers, dividing the town into road districts, and
for the transaction of other business." Alphens Crawford was chosen
moderator and Daniel Baird clerk for said meeting. A tax of 12-|
cents on every $100 of taxable property was voted to be assessed and
collected. Stock was prohibited from running at large from lioveni-
ber 15 to April 1 of each year. The first election resulted in the
choice of Daniel Baird for supervisor, Henry Porter clerk, Whitlock
T. Porter assessor, Silas D. RenifF collector, Daniel Pratt overseer of
the poor, Hiram Anderson and W. H. Hamblin highway commission-
ers, Samuel Averill and Thos. S. Angier constables, Alpheus Craw-
ford and Andrew Bertholf justices of the peace. The town was di-
vided into nine road districts two miles square. April 17, 1851, the
highway commissioners ordered that district number " 10 " be formed
out of the east half of Sees. 20 and IT, and the west half of sections
16 and 21. At an election held in the school-house in district "3"
April 6, 1852, forty-six votes were cast for supervisor, forty-seven for
assessor, forty-five for collector, and forty-seven for town clerk. It was
voted that the next annual town meeting be held at the house of Dan-
iel Pratt, at Knox Grove. In 1854 the annual meeting was held at
the house of Daniel Wilcox on Sec. 15, and in 1855 at the house of
Daniel Maxwell. At this meeting $1,000 was voted for the erection
of a town-house in the village of Sublette. Thomas Angier, H. Benton
and Prescott Bartlett w^ere appointed a committee to report a site for
the same. At a special meeting held in December, Thomas Angier,
John Tourtillott, S. Reniff", Thomas Fessenden and Horatio Benton
were appointed a committee to build a house one story high, and of a
size to correspond with funds voted for that purpose. At a meeting
held in 1858, $150 was appropriated to bridge Bureau creek at the old
army trail. At the annual meeting in 1860 a fence law was passed de-
claring what should be considered a legal fence, whether of wire, rails
or boards. In 1860, 150 votes were cast for the supervisor, and the
same number for town clerk, 152 for assessor, 147 for collector. In
1866, 177 was the highest vote cast for any oflice : Silas Reniff M^as
unanimously chosen assessor. For justice of the peace T. Angier re-

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. 249

ceived all but one (176), and A. L. Wilder the same number for town
clerk. In 1881 about 220 votes were cast. The supervisors of Sub-
lette have been : Daniel Baird three years, S. Peterson one year, T.
Angier eighteen years, Albert Linn one year, Jonathan Peterson three
years, John Theiss, five years, G. M. Crawford one year. The justices
of the peace have been T. Angier thirty-one years, Alpheus Crawford
six years, A. Bertholf one year, James Brewer one year, W. F. Wilder
one year, A. B. Linn eight years, Daniel Barton three yeai's, Isaac
Clink one year, ]^. W. Smith twelve years. Silas D. Reniif was
elected assessor of Sublette in 1854, and except three years has assessed
the town ever since. A. L. Wilder with one exception has held the
office of town clerk since 1864.

The village of Sublette occupies parts of Sees. 9, 10, 15 and 16.
The Illinois Central railroad buildings, a depot and a warehouse on the
northwest corner of Sec. 15, were built in the summer of 1854.
Daniel Cook built the fii'st dwelling house the same winter. • In the
following summer A. L. Wilder built a small store, in the back part of
which he lived. Jesse Hale began his store about the same time.
George A. Richmond put up a house, and did a flourishing business
in the sale of lots. Mr. Swartwout built the same fall a part of the
house which he finished the next year, and lived in the winter of
1855-6. Frank Bartlett built what is now the Catholic parsonage in
the fall of 1855 and moved into it the same winter. Paul Lindstraum
built a shanty the same fall and began his tavern, which he completed
the next year. Doctor Smith built a part of his present residence and
got into it in December. Hugh Carr came in the dead of winter and
rigged up an old barn in which he lived a short time. " Uncle Aba "
Hale came in 1856, also the families of James Colvin and Robert Ash.
J. B. Barton came the same year and opened a drug store. There are
now fifty-seven families in the village, doing a good business. The
Methodist, Baptist, Congregational and Catholic churches are located
here.

Sublette Lodge^ No. 31^.9, A.F. and A.M. — The dispensation was
issued to Thomas S. Angier, W. D. Tourtillott, Jacob D. Tourtillott,
James Tourtillott, Daniel Barton, B. F. Berkley, and Prescott Bartlett,
and the first meeting was held January 31, 1860. The charter of the
lodge was issued October, 1860, to Thomas Angier, W.M.; W. D.
Tourtillott, S.W.; Jacob D. Tourtillott, J.W.; James Tourtillott, secre-
tary ; Daniel Barton, S.D.; B. F. Berkley, J.D.; Daniel Baird, treas-
urer; H. C. Chapman, and N. J. Swartwout. At first meetings were
held in the rear of Jesse Hale's store, and subsequently on the second
flour of the school building. In 1870 the members of the lodge put
up a building at a cost of $2,600. The first meeting in the new hall

250 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

was held August 16, 1870. The lower part of their building is rented
for store purposes, and is now occupied by Frank Thompson. The
present membership of the lodge is thirty, five of whom are non-resi-
dent. The present officers are Joseph H. Ayres, W.M.; Joel S.
Cook, S.W.; Henry Paris, J.W. ; E. W. Patten, treasurer; T. S.
Angler, secretary; Oliver A. Wood, S.D. ; William Obernaur, J.D. ;
Lafayette Long, tyler.

Cemeteries. — There are several burial places in the township. The
most important of these are the one at the Catholic church in Sec. 32,
and that in Sec. 4 on the land of N. and J. Peterson. In the first
nearly a hundred have been buried, all Catholics, and some from a
considerable distance. In both, many of the old settlers are buried,
one of whom, in the latter, is Jonathan Peterson, sr. Near here on
the N".W.i of Sec. 3, are several graves. Near Knox Grove is a small
cemetery in which Daniel Pratt and others of the early settlers of
this vicinity are reposing. Several interments have been made near
the Catholic church in the village of Sublette. Daniel Baird was
buried on the farm which he last owned. This is the " eighty " en-
tered by E. Ren iff. Besides these there are a few other small burial
places within the town.

CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.

Many of the first settlers here were church members, and conse-
quently religious meetings date from the beginning of society here.
They were of a very humble and unpretentious style, and in keeping
with the spirit of the time. Few went, we apprehend, to display
finery — if an}^ there were to display ; nor did they have churches of any
kind for many years in which to worship. Primitive dwellings or rude
school-houses were their only temples, and in these did they often
meet to .sing their songs of praise and offer their devout prayers to a
Father whose guidance they sought. The first church organization in
Sublette was that of the Baptists. This was effected April 181:3, in
Jonathan Peterson's log house. There were at first thirteen members:
Jonathan Peterson, sr., and his wife, Jonathan Peterson, jr., Sylva-
nus Peterson and his wife, jSTathaniel, Mary and Hope Peterson, Jon-
athan Eells, Hubbard Eells and his wife, Joshua Rogers and his wife.
Meetings were held in the log school in this vicinity as soon as it was
built ; previously from house to house. This was the central or mother
organization for quite a large adjoining region, and was known as the
first Baptist church of Palestine Grove. Meetings were held alter-
nately on opposite sides of this grove for the mutual accommodation of
those who lived widely apart. Some of the members of this society
became by letter members of the Baptist church of Amboy at its or-

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP, 251

ganization. In 1854 meetings were first held in Benton's Hall, on Sec.
16, about half a mile M'est of the site of the church in which they now
assemble, and here they continued till 1858, when, in November, they
dedicated a church edifice in the village of Sublette, on Main street,
erected at a cost of $5,000. The first pastor was Rev. Henry Headley, of
La Moille. Jonathan Peterson, sr., was the first deacon, and Warren
Hills, the second. Sylvanus Peterson was the first clerk. Pastors have
been : Charles Cross, E. O. Whittaker, J. H. Morrison, A. S. Denison,
O. D. Taylor, Albert Guy, A. S. Merrifield, H. C. Yates, P. K. Coon.
Jonathan Peterson and A. L. Swartvvout are the present deacons, and
A. J. Rogers is clerk. The society has a membership of about 120, is out
of debt, and owns a parsonage worth $2,000. The Sunday-school of
the church is in a flourishing condition, and is superintended by Abram
Swartwout.

Methodist Episcopal Church. — The first Methodist organization
within the limits of the township was at the house of Levi Camp, at
Knox Grove, about thirty-five years ago. Mr. and Mi's. Daniel Pratt,
Mr. and Mrs. John Skinner, Mr. and Mrs. Yertrees, Joseph, Miriam
and Sarah Yertrees, Mrs. Levi Ellsworth, Mrs. Dr. Heath, Mrs. John
Clink, Joseph Knox and his family, were early members ; also Mr. and
Mrs. John Barnes, Albert Linn and his wife. Skinner Pratt and his
wife, Mr. and Mrs. Wood. These parties were then living around or
near Knox Grove. Nearly all of them were first members. For quite
a number of years the society was supplied by circuit preachers. Elder
Julian was a very earl}^ preacher in this vicinity. Milton Hana and U.
P. Golliday were others. For several years meetings were held in the
town hall at the village of Sublette. W. H. Smith was one of the
first pastors at the "Hall." In 1870 a church was built and was dedi-
cated in 1871. The ministers of the church since have been : F. F.
Farmiloe, Wni. A. Cross, Philo Gorton, T. C. Youngs, E. Brown, W.
H. Records, and M. C. Smith (supplied). The oflScers of the church
at present are W. W. Ireland, W. R. Long, C. Brown, John H. Gen-
try, trustees; W. R. Long, Mrs. W. W. Ireland, C. Brown, E. Lewis,
Mrs. Joel Cook, Statira Crawford, stewards, and Ida Ireland, recording
steward. But very few of the early members are left, they either
having died or moved away.

Congregational Church. — The organization of this society was ef-
fected April 20, 1871. Rev. E. Baker was the first pastor. Meetings
were at first held in the town hall. The officers were : John Meth-
ven and Elias Purdy, deacons ; Levi Mead, clerk ; Russell M. Brown,
treasurer. There were about thirty original members, among whom
were John Methven and wife, Mrs. Walter Morse, Mrs. Jane Ells,
E, Purdy and wife, Russell Brown and his family, Wm. Brown and

252 HISTORY OF LEE COUKTY.

wife, H. C. Chapman and wife, Levi Mead and wife. A few weeks
after the organization of the society a church was begun, wliich cost
about $5,000. The officers of the church are E. Purdy, jr., and Chas.
Hatch, deacons ; Edward Fessenden, John Tourtillott and E. Purdy,
jr., trustees ; Chas. H. Ingals, treasurer E. Purdy, clerk. The first
Sabbath-scliool was superintended by Russell Brown, under whom it
flourished. Mr. Edward Fessenden is the present superintendent.

Church of the Evangelical Association of North America. — This
society" built their church in 1864, on the N.W. \ of Sec. 35, at a cost
of $2,000. This is a branch from the church of the same denomina-
tion at Perkins' Grove, Bureau county. The services are all in Ger-
man. The preachers who officiate at this writing are the Revs. Woehr
and Fry, this being in the Perkins Grove circuit and Mendota district.
The Sabbath-school in connection with the church has an average
membership of about 55. J. C. Speilman is the superintendent. The
trustees are Messrs. Barth, Richert and Speilman, The membership
at present consists of a dozen or more families.

Hobnail Catholic Church. — The organization of this church was
effected in the fall of 1848. Meetings were first held at the house of
Bartholomew Tlieiss. Among the first families of the church were
the Steins, Katzenbargers, Tiieisses, Beckers, Smiths, Lauer, Krebs,
and others. Rev. N. Steele was the first priest. . In 1853 a church
was built on Sec. 32, on land owned by A. Stein. A parsonage was also
built. This burned in 1869, since which the church has not had a
regular priest. The Catholic church built in the village of Sublette in
1868 is a branch of this, also the German Catholic church built a few
years ago in May township. Only seven of the original members are
left, and meetings are held in the old church only a few times a year.

Schools. — The school land was sold about 1850, and the town was
soon divided into ten districts. On each of these is a good school-
house. There is also a school in connection with the Catholic church
at the village. As early as 1841 there was a Sunday-school started in
the Tourtillott neighborhood. This was not in connection with any
church. The prime movei's in this work were Father Tourtillott and
Mrs. Angier. It M^as not continued more than a 3'ear or two. The
first school was in a log house on Tom Fessenden's farm ; the next
was in a slab building on the farm of Thomas Tourtillott. This was a
structure used at first for preemption purposes, and was never intended
for a school-house. It was afterward known as the " sheep pen."
Maria Codman, of New York, was the first teacher here. The next
school in this vicinity was taught in the winter by Joseph Carey in
Mrs. Tourtillott's house; and the next of any importance in Mrs. Rich-
ardson's house by John Bacon, about 1850. The third school in the

SUBLEITE TOWNSHIP. 253

town of Sublette was in the log school-house on Sec. 5. Mrs. Clute,
sister of Jonathan Peterson, taught the first summer school here about
1844. The winter school held here was for several years quite impor-
tant, being well attended by an advanced class of students.

WAR RECORD.

Sublette has a war record of which her people are justly proud.
According to the population and area, it seems almost incredible that
so many men should have been furnished within the short space of
four and a half years. From the beginning to the close of the great
civil war Sublette sent fathers and sons into the service, till her ener-
gies seemed all but exhausted. When the great struggle was nearly
ended, and the town shorn of its strength, a number of men were
hired ; nearly all of them from outside of the township. The quota
of troops for Sublette was 204, fourteen of whom were veterans. Of
the veterans who first enlisted from within the township but two
were afterward hired, the others having volunteered their services.

The Lee County Guards. — Designated as Co. F, 12th Inf., was
mustered into the military service September 20, 1878, by Maj. W. G.
Coulter, with a membership of sixty-one men, which augmented till,
at its annual inspection and muster, March 31, 1879, it numbered
ninety-eight, and 103 at the annual inspection and muster, March 31,
1880 ; thirty-four more than any other infantry company in the State
of Illinois.

The Guards have been the recipients ot many invitations to par-
ticipate in public demonstrations and ceremonies, among which were
decoration of soldiers' graves by the citizens of Mendota, May 30,
1879 ; the Guards being escort for procession, and were handsomely
entertained by the city.

They encamped with, the 3d reg. I.N.G., at Freeport, July 3, 4 and
5, 1879, being entertained by the public. They encamped four days
with the 1st brig. I.N.G., in September 1879, at South Park, Chicago,
at which time eighty-one men reported for duty. On November 5, at
a reception tendered Gen. Grant by the citizens of Mendota, the
Guards had the honor of being the first military company to receive
and escort the general in Illinois after his tour around the world. On
July 4, 1880, at a celebration in Amboy, they escorted tiie procession
and were guests of the city. Having accepted an invitation to attend
the twenty-fifth annual fair of the northwest, held at Sterling, Sep-
tember 14, 15, 16, and 17, the company was entertained with princely
hospitality by the management of the association. At this time it
escorted Gen. Grant and other gentlemen of national reputation,
among whom were Gov. Cullom and Gen. Logan. On account of

254 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

their discipline and military precision strangers mistook the Guards
for soldiers from the regular army. The commissioned officers are
Chas. H. Ingals, captain; William Deter, first lieutenant; Phillip H.
Schwab, second lieutenant. A large proportion of non-commissioned
officers and a number of privates were soldiers in the late war. The
rank and tile, by their persistent and determined effort to excel, have
succeeded in attaining proficiency and excellence in military discipline
and tactics for which they have, without an exception, received com-
mendation and profuse compliments from the assistant superintendent
general whenever paraded for inspection, and are now rated as one of
the best companies of the Illinois National Guard.

Its property is valued at $4,000, secured without outside assistance
(except about $100). It consists of an iron-roofed armory, which
contains drill-room, gun-room, ' officers' quarters, dining-room and
kitchen, and is one of the best in Illinois.

The organization is a grand success, and an honor to itself, the
locality in which it exists, and the county it represents.

The armory is 40x96 feet, one and two stories high. Musical
instruments, colors, munitions, etc.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Jonathan Peterson, farmer, Sublette, is one of a family of three
boys and eight girls. He was born in Truxton, Courtland county. New
York, in 1812. His parents, Jonathan and Doretha (Smith) Peterson,
were born in Franklin county, Massachusetts. His mother was of
Irish descent. He was reared a farmer, and enjoyed the benefits of a
common school education. He came west in 1836 via the Erie canal,
Lake Erie, and across Michigan afoot to Chicago, where he stopped one
week; thence to Ottawa, La Salle county. Here he spent the winter
of 1836-7, whence he come directly to Lee county in the following
spring, and settled in Lee Center township, near its southern boundary,
nearly opposite his present home in Sec.4, Sublette,having moved across
the line about twenty-five years ago. In the fall of 1837 Mr. Peterson
went back east and was married to Percis Avery, of Connecticut.
With his bride our subject came to his western home in the spring of
1838. In these early days Mr. Peterson hauled much produce to Chi-
cago ; in 1840 he took up a load of wheat, and brought back his parents
and their family (except one sister), who had come on from the east. He
has had five children : Francis Augusta, born April 1839, was a gradu-
ate of the first class of the state normal school. Normal, Illinois; was
married July 1862 to E. A. Gastman, her classmate, and now a prom-
inent educator and principal of schools, Decatur, Illinois. She died in
the winter of 1863. Before her marriage she taught in Normal and

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. 255

Decatur. Alice M., born in the fall of 1840 ; in March, 1863, married to
W. F. Hoyt; died of consumption in the latter part of 1863. Mr.
Hoyt is now residing in Clinton, Iowa. Enieline W. was born in May
18-1:2, second wife of A. J. Biddle, her second husband, a native of In-
diana, and a veteran of the Union ariri}^ in the late rebellion. Myron
J. was born in April 1844. In September, 1862, he enlisted at Dixon in
the 75th 111. Yols.; was wounded at Perryville, and was sent back to
the hospital at New Albany, Indiana, reentered his regiment June
1863; was in the 75th 111. Yols. until the close of the war. Myron
was in the following engagements: Chickamauga, Chattanooga, with
Sherman to Atlanta, and back with Thomas to Tennessee. In 1873 he
took up a soldier's claim in Nebraska, where with his wife he is now liv-
ing. Walter A. was born in April 1852, is married and living in Wis-
consin, having gone to that state in March 1881. The subject of this
sketch has twice been supervisor of Sublette,having held that office three
years. In an early day he was elected justice of the peace for Lee
Center township, but did not qualify for the office. He is a repub-
lican and a deacon of the Baptist church, of which he and his wife are
prominent members. Mrs. Peterson, daughter of Elisha and Percis
(Pease) Avery, was born 1811. Her father was born in Massachusetts,
her mother in Connecticut. Her ancestors on both sides are a long-lived
race. Her mother's grandfather was born in Ireland, her father's peo-
ple were from England. Her uncle, Walter Pease, aged ninety-eight,
is living on the Connecticut river, near Hartford, where seven genera-
tions of the Pease family have lived. He is active yet and walks all
over his farm. Her grandfather and grandmother on both sides lived
to be over eightj^ years old. At one time her father had four widowed
sisters, all more than eighty years old, living in Hartford, Connecticut.
Mr. Biddle, the son-in-law of Mr, Peterson, is an industrious, self-made
man. He left his home when he was eleven years old, and began for
himself. He was a lumberman twelve years in Indiana. He has
farmed in Lee Center township ; is a republican and a member of the
Baptist church. He was born in 1835.

Charlotte (Field) Baird was born in Worcester county, Massa-
chusetts, in 1811. Her mother, Martha Hitchcock, was born in 1868,
and her mother's mother and father were born in 1742 and 1740 respect-
ively. The name of the latter was David. Mrs. Baird has a brother
and a sister: Seth, born in 1802, living in Massachusetts, and Adeline
O. (Mrs. Baldwin), born in 1807, is living in La Salle county, Illinois,
with Elmer Baldwin, her husband, and author of a history of La Salle
county. Charlotte Field was married in December 1832, to Daniel
Baird, born in Tioga county. New York, in 1806. Mr. Baird was rear-
ed a merchant and had a common school education. He came to La-

256 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Salle county in 1836, via Buffalo, Detroit and Chicago. Mrs. Baird
and her sister came in the fall of the same year, via the Ohio and St.
Louis. In 1839 Daniel Baird and his family came to Lee county,
Sublette, and settled within a few rods of where Elijah Austin now
lives, on the old mail route from Peru to Grand Detour; he took up a
claim for a large tract of land. Then there was no house between his
place and Troy Grove, thirteen miles southeast, in La Salle, and only
one between there and La Moille. Here was the first post-office in Sub-
lette, called Brookfield, and afterward Hanno. Mr. Baird was widely
and favorabh' known ; he was the first supervisor of Sublette, and held
the same office in 1858 ; he was county commissioner from 1844 to 1846
inclusive. In his house the first town meeting for Sublette was held.
Baird's first house contained two twelve-pane windows and a stairway
to the second floor, and compared with the greased-paper-window and
peg-ladder-log-house, was considered by some rather stylish. He died
in March 1866, and was buried in the family burial-ground. His fam-
ily are: Marianne, born in 1838 (Mrs. Henry Chapman), living in
Sublette township; Caroline (Mrs. Newton Pumphrey), 1843; Seth
F., 1846. The latter is married and living on the homestead in Sec.
19, and with him Mrs. Baird is living, j^ewton Pumphrey is a tin-
smith in the village of Sublette.

William Dextkk, farmer, Sublette, was born in Canada, December
1831 ; he is the son of Elisha and Mary (Kane) Dexter, and the second
in a family of eight. His mother, born in Ireland, came to Canada
when she was about three years old. His father was born in New
York state, and several of his people were in the revolution. Elisha
Dexter was a radical in McKinzie's rebellion in Canada in 1837, and
was in Michigan during the latter part of 1837. In 1838 he left
Canada, after selling his farm near Toronto at a great sacrifice, and
came to Illinois with his family. On their way they were all sick in
Michigan, M'here his wife died. They arrived in Lee county in No-
vember 1839, and settled about a mile east of Binghamton, where they
staid a short time ; from here they moved to May township, where,
after a little, Mr. Dexter bought a claim from John Dexter, his uncle,
who came to Lee county in 1835. In 1846 he left this place, moved
to the central part of the township, and bought a claim of 200 acres
now owned by Jake Baker. Mr. Dexter, sr., died about 1858. In
1852 William Dexter married Martha Coleman, of Pennsylvania,
whose people had come to Lee county about 1848. William had
obtained a common school training, often going several miles to school.
In 1858 he bought the W. ^ of S.W. I Sec. 4, Sublette, from Lewis
Clapp for $2,400, having previously owned land and farmed in May
and Lee Center townships. He has since bought land in Sees. 8 and 9,

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. 257

and now owns over 200 acres. In August 1862 Mr. Dexter enlisted
in the 75th 111. Yols., Co. E, Captain Frost, of Lee Center. During
his entire service of nearly three years he was off duty only five days
(in regimental hospital). Mr. Dexter drove a team about three months ;
drove an ambulance at Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Dalton,
Resaca and Rome; here be was commissioned commissary sergeant of
an army train, of which he had entire charge at Atlanta, and back
with Thomas to Tennessee. He was discharged June 29, 1865. Mr.
Dexter has nine children : Eliza, born 1853 ; Etta M., 1855 ; Emma,
1857; Otta, 1861; William, 1866; Ira, 1868; John, 1870; Margaret,
1872 ; Fred, 1874 (Martha, born 1859, died 1864). Etta is a graduate
of the JSTorthwest College, at Naperville ; here Olta attended two years.
Mr. Dexter has been nine years road commissioner, was chairman of
the Garfield club of Sublette, is first lieutenant of the Lee county
guards, and with his wife and four eldest daughters is a member of the
Baptist church.

Alpheus H. Clink, farmer, Sublette, was born in Bradford county,
Pennsylvania, in 1829, and was brought up to farming. His parents
were William and Rebecca (Hulburt) Clink. His father was born in
New York, and was descended from German ancestors. His mother
was born in Pennsylvania, and her grandfather was German, while her
grandmother was Scotch. Of a family of six Alpheus was the third.
He was educated at the common schools, and with the whole family
came to Lee county in August 18-13. His father bought a claim in
Lee Center township from William Church ; lived here a few years,
and was engaged much of the time in teaming to Chicago, chiefly for
Geo. E. Haskell, store-keeper at Inlet. In 1848 the family came to the
N.W. -J- Sec. 12, Sublette, and entered the same. About this time the
eldest daughter, Mrs. Lucretia Sawyer, died. The youngest boy died in
1854 of typhoid fever. In 1856 William Clink, the father, died of con-
sumption, and was buried in Bradford cemetery, where the son and
daughter had been laid. Margaret (Mrs. Canfield) died in Marshall-
town, Iowa, in 1857. Isaac M. Clink is farming in Iowa. He is well
known in this and Bureau county, having been a justice of the peace
in both. In 1852 Alpheus Clink built an 18x20 frame house on the
south " eighty " of the homestead. He has since bought sixty acres
south of that. In 1879 he erected a fine dwelling, cost about $1,800.
He was first married in 1850, to Julia A. Canfield, by whom he had
one son, now living in Greene county, Iowa. His wife died in Decem-
ber 1854. His second wife, Melissa M. Robinson, born in Ohio in
1837, has given birth to five children : Nina (Mrs. John Ellsworth),
born September 1856, William H., 1857, Frank E., 1859, Harry, Janu-
ary 1869, and Sarah, December 1870. Mr. Clink is a republican.

258 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Alpheus Crawford, the father of Geo. M. Crawford, the subject
of tliis sketch, was born December 28, 1798, in Lucerne (now Brad-
ford) count}', Pennsylvania. His grandparents on his father's side
were born and married in Scotland. His father and mother were born
in Connecticut, and tlie parents of the latter were English. During
the revolution his lather belonged to a guard of minute men at New
Haven, Connecticut, and he witnessed Burgoyne's surrender. In 1844
Alpheus Crawford with a family of six children came west with a team
and wagon via Buffalo, Lake Erie by boat, and across Michigan directly
to Knox Grove, where seven or eight families were then living. He
bought of widow Pratt, for $75, a claim of theN.E. J of S.W. ^ Sec. 13,
and a "forty" just east of the same. There was a log house on the
place, and about seven acres were broken. He is still living here.
Geo. JVJ . Crawford, born December 19, 1825, was the second in a family
of seven. His mother was Marsha Skinner, born June 1803. George
received a common school education and in the spring of 1845 took a
claim of the E. ^ of N.W. ^ Sec. 13, and an " eighty " east of the same.
In the spring of 1849 he built a frame house, partly with lumber hauled
from Chicago with a team. He was married the same year to Mrs.
Lydia A. Dewey, daughter of Levi Camp, an old settler at Knox Grove.
This lady died in 1852, and in December, 1859, Mr. Crawford married
Maria J., daughter of Stephen Clink, an early settler in Bradford town-
shi]). Three children are the offspring of this union : Milo H., born
October, 1861 ; Norval M., born October 1863, Clara M., May 1870.
In 1862 Mr. Crawford bought of Daniel Pratt the N.W. J of S.W.
J Sec. 13, at $30 per acre. He has also purchased the W. ^ of N.W.
J Sec. 13, at $58 per acre. In 1868 he built a house at a cost of |2,000,
and a barn in 1877 at a cost of $1,200. Mr. Crawford is a republican,
and his wife is a member of the Congregational church.

Edward M. Lewis, wagon-maker and blacksmith, Sublette, was
born in Broom county, Massachusetts, December 1844. He is the son
of Joseph W. and Elsie (Shutts) Lewis, the latter of German descent.
His father was from Vermont, and was a carpenter by trade. Edward
was the eldest of four children, of whom two are now living. He
worked on a farm until he was nineteen years old. In the meantime
he obtained a common school education. He came with his parents to
Lee county in 1845, first to Nachusa, thence in 1853 to Amboy, where
they have since had a residence. He learned carriage wood-work of
H. Sweet, of Amboy. Was married in 1868 to Sarah Tate, born of
English parentage in 1851. Two boys have been born to them: How-
ard, in 1871, and Henry, 1876. Mr. Lewis began in Sublette in 1869.
He owns property to the value of about $1,000 and is doing a good
business, chiefly wagon and carriage repairing. He is a republican, a

DECEASED.

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. 261

member and officer of the Methodist Episcopal church, and belongs
to the Lee county guards. His wife is a Baptist.

JSTelson F. SwARTwouT, farmer, Sublette, brother of Abram Swart-
wont, was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, in 1844. He attended
the Lee Center Academy as well as a commercial school ; enlisted at
Dixon, October 1861, in the 34th 111. Inf.; went into Tennessee, was
first engaged at Nashville, and was there wounded. After being in the
hospital a month and spending another at home on furlough, he was
sent via JSIew York to his regiment at Goldsboro, North Carolina,
skirmished a little in this vicinity, and was mustered out July 12, 1865,
at Louisville, Kentucky, having previously witnessed the grand review
of Grant's and Sherman's armies at Washington. Mr. Swartwout has,
at different times, been engaged in teaching school. He was married,
October, 1869, to Amelia Nettleton, of Massachusetts. They have three
children : Walter E.., Mina L. and Nellie A. His farm of 170 acres in
S.W. ^ of Sec. 3 is well tilled and valuable. Mr. Swartwout votes the
republican ticket, belongs to the Sublette Baptist church, and is a frank,
outspoken man.

Abram L. Swartwout, farmer, Sublette, was born October 20, 1841,
in Rock Island county, Illinois. He is one of four children of Nelson
J. and Abagail Ricker Swartwout : Abram L., Nelson F., Frank E. (de-
ceased), and Hattie (Mrs. Wright). His father came to Illinois from
Otsego county. New York, about 1836. His mother was born in San-
gamon county, Illinois. After living in Lee Center township about
ten years the family moved to Sublette in 1S55. The senior Swart-
wout built here, and was the first lumber dealer and grain buyer in
Sublette. He had built tlie first blacksmith shop in Lee Center town-
ship. This was on the old Chicago road from Dixon. Mr. Swartwout
hauled lumber from Chicago to build his house in Lee Center. Frank,
nine years old at his death, was killed by a horse in Sublette in 1856.
Abram L. Swartwout received an academic education. He enlisted
September 21, 1861, in Co. D, 34th 111. Inf., at Springfield, Illinois.
He went into Kentucky, came up with Buell's command at Shiloh the
second day of the fight, afterward went to near Chattanooga, then fell
back to Louisville when Bragg threatened Cincinnati. He was cap-
tured about the time of the engagement at Perry ville, but was soon
paroled. Early in 1863 was again in service. At Liberty Gap, June
1863, he was brigade inspector's clerk ; was captured at Chikamauga,
and was a prisoner seven months in Richmond and Danville, Virginia.
June 10, 1864, Mr. Swartwout joined iiis regiment on the Atlanta cam-
paign. He was mustered out September 1864, reenlisted March 1865,
in the4th U. S. Yeterans, Hancock's corps. During most of his latter
service he was a detailed clerk in the war department. Finally mustered
16

262 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

out April 1866. Mr. Swartwout was married to Carrie E. Thayer, of
Massachusetts, September 1866. He settled on the homestead, where
he now resides, liaviiig previously been one year in business with A.
L. Wilder, in Sublette, and two years in the grocery business in Men-
dota, Illinois. He now has a farm of 240 acres, Sec. 4, S.E. ^ and S. ^
of N.E. i- His family are Frank A., Edith L. and Hattie May. He
is a prominent republican, a deacon of the Sublette Baptist church,
quartermaster sergeant of the 12th I.JST.G.and withal an intelligent, un
assuming gentleman.

Chab. H. Ingals, farmer, Sublette, son of Charles F. and Sarah
(Hawkins) Ingals, was born March 11, 1846, in Lee county, Illinois,
and was brought up to farming. Besides going to the common schools
he took a partial course in the normal school at Normal, Illinois. He
enlisted at Dixon in 1862, but was rejected because he was too young
'and too small. In the fall of 1863 he entered Co. A., 75th 111. Inf.,
went with his regiment to Tennessee, from Chattanooga to Atlanta,
was with Sherman at the capture of Atlanta, came back with Thomas
to Tennessee, was in the engagements at Franklin and Spring Hill,
November 30, and at Nashville in December 1864. Mr. Ingals was
then detailed by the medical directory to the 1st division of the 4th
Army Corps, was transferred to the 21st 111. reg. in June 1865; went
to New Orleans the next month, and thence, in August 1865, to San
Antonio, Texas, where he remained until he received orders to be mus-
tered out. From January till June 10, 1865 he was in the office of
the medical directory. He was afterward in the provost guards, 4th
corps army headquarters, and the provost marshal general's office at St.
Antonio, which position he held until the expiration of his service, De-
cember 25, 1865. In May, 1865, Mr. Ingals received a sergeant's com-
mission. He was in the engagements atKenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree
Creek, Atlanta, Nashville, Franklin, and others. He is now captain of
Co. F., 12th Inf. Illinois national guards (see Lee county guards), also
commander of Lee county post No. 65 of G.A.R., headquarters at Am-
boy. Mr. Ingals is a republican, and belongs to the order of Masons.
His farm of 200 acres is in Sec. 10. His residence is about half a mile
from the village of Sublette, and was built in 1870 at a cost of $3,400.
Previous to his settlement here he was engaged in mercantile business
at Eocky Falls, Whitesides county. Was married in March 1871, to
Mary I. Morse, who came with her parents from Massachusetts to Illi-
nois in 1869. She was born in Natick, Massachusetts, December 10,
1854. The offspring of this marriage are five children : Herbert F.,
Grace M., Neva May., Walter F. and Fred. M. Mr. Ingals is a thrifty
farmer and an enterprising citizen. He has an attractive home with
beautiful environments, and seems to enjoy life.

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. 263

Sherman L. Hatch, father of Charles L. Hatch, the subject of this
sketch, was born in Cavendish, Windsor county, Vermont, in 1807.
He was the son of Sherman and Caroline (Lovell) Hatch, of the same
place. His grandfather on the father's side lived in Hartford, Con-
necticut, and his mother's father was one of the earliest settlers in Cav-
endish, Vermont. His father owned a small farm and was a hatter.
Sherman was the oldest of twelve children, of which only he and four
sisters are living. He received what was then called a common school
education, and in the spring of 1837 came west to Chicago, thence to
Milwaukee, and from there to Janesville, Wisconsin. From there,
with seven others, he went down the Rock river in a boat, stopping at
Rockford, Dixon and Prophetstown. Mr. Hatch remained over night
in Iowa, opposite the mouth of the Rock, and then next day started
up the river to Dixon, and arrived there in June. From there he
went to Charles F. Ingals', who had settled in Lee Center in 1836.
On his way he stopped at the house of Mr. Whittaker, Lee Center,
the only home seen since he left Dixon. Mr. Hatch came to Sublette^
Sec. 7, in the southwest part of which was an abandoned claim and
an unfinished log house, which he occupied and completed. He re-
turned in the fall of 1837 to Vermont, and married Lucy Brown in
the spring of 1838. Returning to his claim he found it occupied. He
appealed to the squatter tribunal ; the decision was that he (Hatch)
should pay $150 to the occupant in consideration of tillage and other
improvements made during his absence ; or if Hatch chose, the occu-
pant might pay him $125 and retain possession. Our subject paid the
$150, and reentered his humble dwelling. During the summer of
1838 mother earth was the first floor of his cabin ; the second, consist-
ing of split rails covered with corn stalks, was for company. Mr.
Hatch claimed a half-section of prairie and 240 acres of timber in May
and Sublette townships; but when the land was sold he bought only
an eighty (in May town), having loaned considerable sums of money
which he could not collect. He has since bought the W. |- of N.W. ^
Sec. 18, Sublette, and soon after the E. ^ of the same, where, in 1846,
he built a 16x20 frame house, and in 1852 he built a brick house and
a large barn ; the lumber for the latter was all hauled from Chicago.
Mr. Hatch lost his wife in November 1876 ; all of their four children
are married : Harriet L. (Mrs. Gardner) was born December 1839 ;■
Caroline L. (Mrs. James Garrett), December 1840 ; Julia A. (Mrs. J.
W. Latta, Dixon), December 1845 ; Charles L., 1848. The latter was
married in 1874, to Catharine Barse, of Detroit, Michigan. Their
family are Lucy M., born April 1875, and Harry L., May 1877. Mr.
C. L. Hatch has recently bought land in Sees. 17 and 18, adding^
to the large tract only partially described in this sketch. He taught

264 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

school two winters; he is now living on the homestead. He is a dea-
con of the Sublette Congregational church ; his wife is a Unitarian.
His father is a republican, and in an earl}^ da,y was a captain in the
Yerniont militia.

Joel Cook, farmer, Sublette, was born in Otsego county, New
York, in 1838, and was raised a farmer. He came west with his peo-
in 18i5, learned the carpenter and shoemaker trades in Lee count}^,
though he had worked at the latter a little in the east. He went over-
land to the Far West in 1850, was in California and Oregon nearly
four years, came back, and married Emily Strickland, of Pennsylvania,
in the fall of 1855, her parents having come to Lee county in 1849. Mr.
Cook bought eighty acres of land from his brother John for $1,700, and
went to farming, the next spring, in the S.E. ^ Sec. 8. He built a
16x24 house. He has since purchased 110 acres in Sees. 5 and 9,
at a cost of $4,000. In 1875 Mr. Cook put up a house at a cost of,
$1,800. His family are Lacon, born in 1863, and Katie, born 1871.
His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a repub-
lican and a Mason, but was formerly an Odd-Fellow. In an early day
he used to go to Chicago much with an ox team ; once he was gone
forty days. In the meantime, however, he took some emigrants out to
Iowa. Daniel Cook, father of the above, was born in New York, on
Yan Rensselaer's grant, in 1802. He was the second in a family of
seven. He had live uncles killed in the revolution. His parents,
Simeon and Polly (Baldwin) Cook, moved to Pennsylvania when he
was three years old. He went to school only about two weeks, but
was taught at home. He married, in 1823, Phoebe Rouse, and lived in
Pennsylvania until he came west. Their family consists of four chil-
dren living : Samuel, born 1824 ; Joel, born 1826 ; John J., born 1830 ;
Lydia, born 1836. On his arrival in Lee county with his family in 1845,
Mr. Cook, during the first winter, lived with Daniel Trip at Inlet creek ;
the next year on Thomas Fessenden's farm, after which he settled on
the S.E. ^ Sec. 8. For this John J. Cook had a warrant, having
been a soldier in the Mexican war. John is now living in Council
BluiFs, Iowa. Samuel was in the late rebellion, and received injuries
at Perryville, from which he has never recovered, though he was not
in the engagement. He is now living with his family in Cherokee
county, Kansas, and is engaged in farming. Mr. Cook and his wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The former is an Odd-
Fellow, and the latter belongs to the Rebeccas. Mr. Cook was an old-
time democrat, but voted for Abe Lincoln, and has since voted the re-
publican ticket. He can remember seeing the soldiers of the war of
1812, in which was one of his cousins. He and his wife are now liv-
ing with their daughter, Mrs. Scotield, in Sublette.

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. 265

Wm. W. Ieeland, farmer, Sublette, was born in Harrison county,
western Virginia, in 1826. He is the son of Jonathan and Eliza
(Boring) Ireland, both of Maryland. He was brought up to farming,
his father's occupation, and received a common-school education. His
people moved to Clinton county, Ohio, when he was a year old ; here
they lived a few years ; thence to Bureau county, Illinois, where his
father bought a claim. William Ireland came to Sublette in 1850, and
bought of Stiles and Eustace for $130, a warrant for the S.W. ^ Sec.
23. The same year he bought twenty acres of timber. He now owns
215 acres of land, having bought the last in 1876. For several years
Mr. Ireland lived with his brother on the N.W. | Sec. 23. He built
on his own land in 1857, was married in the fall of 1856 to Sarah Ver-
trees, who was born in Indiana in 1833. They have had seven chil-
dren, five of whom are living: Theodore F., born September 1857;
Ida E., born December 1858 ; Delia J., born August 1860 ; Miriam
A., born March 1862; Fay, born September 1865 (died April 1880);
Willie, born March 1864 (deceased) ; Chas. A., born 1868. In poli-
tics Mr. Ireland is a liberal republican. Mrs. Ireland is a member and
officer of the Sublette Methodist Episcopal church. She taught school
in an early day in the vicinity of Knox Grove, named after her mother's
people, who were early settlel-s there. Her great-grandfather Knox
came from Scotland, and settled in North Carolina. Her father's father
was in the war of 1812. Her mother's grandfather (Brooks) was all
through the revolution. John Knox, her uncle, when above fifty years
old went with three sons and a son-in-law from Lee county, Missouri,
into the federal army of the rebellion. He died in the hospital at
Nashville. One of the boys, wounded at Allatoona. Georgia, went
home, and was replaced by his youngest brother. None of the other
four ever returned from the battle-iields.

Emerson W. Patten, railroad agent, Sublette, was born September
25, 1826, in Greenwich, Hampshire county, Massachusetts. He is the
youngest of four children of Calvin and Laura (Warrener) Patten,
Mrs. R, H. Millen, of Amboy, being the eldest. His father was from
Connecticut ; his mother was born in Massachusetts. There is a tra-
dition that three Patten brothers came from Scotland very early in
the history of our country, one landing near Boston, one near New
York, and the other in Rhode Island. " Great Uncle Billy " Patten
was a revolutionar}' hero, and until he was almost a hundred walked
annually to Taunton, Massachusetts, a distance of eight miles, to draw
his pension. Emerson Patten was raised a farmer, and lived in his
native town till 1853 when he came west to Amboy. Here he dealt
in books and jeweliy, but chiefly in real estate, losing heavily in the
latter business in 1858. He lived in Amboy till 1873; was one year

266 HISTORY OF LEE COUJS^TY.

in Freeport, Illinois, and in 1874 came to Sublette, where he has
since been employed by the Illinois Central Railroad Company, He
was married, in the fall of 1850 to Lncy E. Morse, born in New York.
Three children are the fruit of their marriage : Alfred E., born Decem-
ber 1864; Calvin E., November 1866; Lena, September 1860. Mr.
Patten is a Mason and a republican, and since he was nineteen years
old he has belonged to the Congregational church.

Alfred L. Wilder, merchant, Sublette, was born in Conway, Fi-ank-
lin count)', Massachusetts, in 1825. He is the son of Joshua and La-
vina (Long) Wilder, of the same county, and his mother's mother was
a revolutionary pensioner. He was raised a farmer, staying with his
father till he was twenty years old ; and was educated at the Shel-
burne Falls Academy, Shelburne, Franklin county, in which town both
his parents were born, and he lived from his earl}^ youth. In 1854
Mr. Wilder came to Chicago ; he clerked one year in Putnam county,
where he was married to Mrs Elvira Hewitt, of Franklin county,
Massachusetts, born in 1826. In 1854 he bought land in Iowa. In
1855 he settled in Sublette, and built a store. Mr. Wilder is now do-
ing a large business, carrying a stock of about $10,000. He occupies
the store began in 1855, to which he has added from time to time,
the last improvement in 18Y7, and which is now worth about $3,000.
His house was built in 1865 or 1866 at a cost of $2,500. His children
are: Wm. A., born 1856; Nellie M., 1858, married T. F. Ireland, son
of W. W. Ireland, and is now living in Mills county, Iowa ; Raymond
A., 1862. Both sons are working with their father in his business, a
general dry-goods, grocery, boot and shoe trade. William is married.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilder, the parents, are members of the Baptist chnrch.
Mrs. A. L. Wilder's flither, Horace Benton, a native of Massachusetts,
who has lived in Sublette since 1855, is in his eighty-sixth year, and
possesses remarkable mental and physical vigor for one so old.

Mrs. Harriet L. Gardner, daughter of Sherman L. Hatch, and
widow of Dr. Francis B. Gardner, was born on the homestead in De-
cember 1839. She went to the common school but three months;
was sent to Lee Center and Janesville, Wisconsin, to school, and com-
pleted her education at a private school in West Chester county, New
York. She taught school a few terras, and was married to Mr. Gard-
ner in 1861. He had received his education at the Bridgewater, Mass-
achusetts Normal school, and was a graduate from the Cincinnati Ec-
lectic Medical School. He afterward graduated from a homoeopathic
school in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Gardner was born in February 1822,
in Swansea, Massachusetts. His father was a sea-captain, and Francis
was the youngest but one in a family of ten. He settled in Sublette
in 1861. He had been in California most of the time since 1849,

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. 267

working mines or practicing medicine, having returned three times
from that country. In 1863 he bought from Elder Morrison the
house where liis famil}' are living in the village of Sublette, a little
west of the Baptist church. At that time he purchased two lots,
since increased to five acres of farm land. His heirs now own in May
and Sublette townships to the amoimt of 160 acres. Two boys and a
girl are the fruit of his marriage : Seraphine, born July 1862 ; Frank,
March 1864 ; Charles, November 1865. In November, 1880, the doc-
tor met a cruel and unexpected death ; he was tossed by a bull and fell
on the back of his head, from the effect of which he died the third day
after the accident. He was a hearty, rather stout man, and had never
experienced any sickness worth mention. He and his wife were Epis-
copalians, though the latter recently united with the Congregational
church, there being no Episcopal church in Sublette. He joined tlie
Masons about a year before he died ; he was a brother of Dr. Charles
Gardner, an early settler in Nachusa township.

Feank Thompson, hardware merchant, Sublette, was born in
La Salle county, Illinois, in 1853. His father, John B., w^as born in
Ohio in 1825 ; his mother, Clementine Eastman, in Maine in 1822.
They came west in 1844, lived about a year in Bureau county, then
settled in La Salle county, Opliir township, where Mr. Thompson took
np a claim. In 1853 he took a contract to grade a part of the Illinois
Central railroad between Amboy and Sublette; he came to Sublette
in 1867. Frank Thompson is one of a famil)' of three boys and two
girls. He was raised a farmer, and was graduated from the Valparaiso
(Indiana) Commercial School. For a time he was a clerk in Amboy ;
went with his eldest brother, in the s])ring of 1875, to California, where
they worked a mine. Frank came back in the winter of 1876-7, and
began in the hardware business in Sublette in 1878, under the firm
name of F. A. Thompson & Co. He now has a stock of $2,500.
Mr. Thompson was made postmaster at Sublette, February 1881. He
is a Baptist, and a member of the Lee county guards. He was mar-
ried October 28, 1880, to Stella S., daughter of James Dexter, and
sister of Mrs. William Wilder,

Peescott Baetlett, farmer, Sublette, was born in Conway, Franklin
county, Massachusetts, August 19, 1821. His father, born in 1789,
was a tanner by trade, and raised a company during the war of
1812. His mother, JSTarcissa Robinson, was born 1787. Mr. Bartlett
came west in 1844, to Du Page county, Illinois, and soon after to
Sublette, taking a claim of a quarter-section on Sec. 20, a part of
which is now owned by H. C. Chapman. After living here about five
years he went to Bureau county and bought a farm. He now owns and
lives upon the E.-| Sec. 17, Sublette, having bought it in 1850 from

"268 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

William Erskine for $500. In 1868 he built a fine residence of
Batavia stone at a cost of $12,000. Having passed through Texas and
Arkansas in 1855, he became convinced that war was imminent; he
studied cavalry tactics in the winter of 1860, and in the following
spring began to raise a cavalry company. He took several horses from
his own farm, giving one to a hired man as an inducement for him
to enlist. Mr. Bartlett enlisted in June 1861 ; was sworn into service
August 7, and received a captain's commission in Co. C, Tth 111. Cav.
The company, when mnstered, numbered about ninety-eight, about
twenty-five or thirty of whom were from Sublette ; the rest chiefly
from Mendota, Amboy, and Lee Center. They went first into Mis-
souri, thence through Kentucky and Tennessee, early in 1862. In
September 1862 the 7th cavalry was encamped at Tuscunibia, Ala-
bama, at which time Co. C was detached as special escort to Gen.
John M. Palmer, in which service they continued until January 1864.
They were in all the hard fighting of the Rosecrans' campaign, the
battle of Stone River being their first general engagement. They did
gallant service at Missionary Ridge, and were in much skirmishing,
especially at and near Nashville. Capt. Bartlett was six weeks presi-
dent of a military commission at Memphis. That he was not pro-
moted during his service was from no lack of merit. He escaped
promotion more than once through accidental circumstances, over
which he had no control. To his worth as a true soldier many freely
testify. He was married January 4, 1849, to Caroline Whitney, born
in Warren county, Ohio (her father was from Maine, her mother,
Ohio). Of their eight children four are living, the others having died
young: Silas Wilton, born March 1853; Eugene P., born March 1858;
Howard, born November 1865 ; Cora May, born March 1869. Wil-
ton, was admitted to the bar in May 1881. Eugene is a master pen-
man. Both have attended school at Normal, Illinois, a considerable
time. Mr. Bartlett has been a stirring, industrious man and has seen
much of the world. He has traveled wideh^ in the purchase and sale of
horses, having gone to Boston and Providence several times, for the
latter purpose. In an early day he was elected constable, and was a
deputy under sheriff Campbell at the time of the famous " banditti "
prosecutions. He is a Mason and a staunch republican. Mr. Bartlett
has always been a generous, public spirited man, identifying himself
with every progressive movement. But for lack of space many an
interesting anecdote might be related illustrative of his enterprise in
civil life and his willingness to assume responsibility during his mili-
tary career.

Edward Fessenden, farmer, Sublette, was born April 4, 1839, in
Lee county. The Fessendens were among the very early settlers of

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. 269

the Massachusetts colony. His father, Thomas Fessenden, was born in
Fitzburg. New Hampshire, February 1, 1805, and was raised a farmer,
being the son of William and Rebecca Fessenden, whose family con-
sisted of three sons and four daughters. One of the latter, Mrs. Joel
Jewett, settled with her husband on Sec. 18, a few j^ears after Thomas
and his family settled in Sublette. Mr. and Mrs. Jewett are both dead.
In 1830 or 1831 Thomas Fessenden married Sarah Pearsons,born June
13, 1804. With his brother-in-law, Addison G. Bragg, he came west in
1834, passing through Chicago, Peru, Illinois, and down the Illinois
river to St. Louis, returning in the fall of the same year. In 1837 with
his wife, three children, and his brother William, he came west again,
directly to Lee county. They lived three months on the Blunt place,
in Amboy township; thence to Sublette, where they settled, William
on Sec. 7, where John H. Long lives, and lived there till about 1852,
when he sold to J. B. Wyman. Thomas settled on Sec. 8, and lived
there till 1869. Selling out to his sons, he went to Missouri for his
health, and thence after three years to Santa Barbara, California, where
he now resides. Of the family of Thomas Fessenden but four of eleven
are now living. Three died in infancy. The names of the others are
Frederick A., born December 20, 1830 (died at the homestead Decem-
ber 7, 1862); George F., January 24, 1833; Frances J., December 1,
1835 (deceased November 16, 1867); Edward, April 4, 1839; Austin,
October 7, 1842 (died June 22, 1862); Emeline and Caroline,tvvin sisters.
May 24, 1844 (Emeline died February 5, 1866) ; Warren G., Decem-
ber 14, 1846. George is living with his wife and two daughters in
Kansas, whence he went from Lee county in 1878. Caroline (Mrs.
Benj. Dexter) is living in Santa Barbara, California. All of the boys,
except the youngest, served their country in the late rebellion. War-
ren entered the 104th 111. Yols., in the one-hundred-days service.
Edward and George enlisted in Co. E,75th 111., September 1862. George
was with this company until he was mustered out, June 12, 1865. He was
in the fighting at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, with Sher-
man through Georgia to the sea, and around to Richmond. Edward
was transfered to the Veteran Reserve Corps, July 1863. Was at El-
mira and Buflfalo, New York, and afterward, except two months, was
at Camp Douglas, Chicago, until he was mustered out, July 1865. The
subject of this article was married February, 1862, to Harriet E. Dex-
ter, youngest daughter of John Dexter, the first settler in Amboy
township. Their family consists of three children living: Thomas E.,
born September 1862 (deceased January 1863); Francis D., born
August 1867; James H., born January 1871; Stella, born July 1873.
Mr. and Mrs. Fessenden are members of the Congregational church.
Mr. Fessenden sold l;is farm, the old homestead, in the spring of 1881,

270 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

and is going to Calitbrnia to reside. He is the last of the family in
Sublette, and like all the rest is a republican. He will be greatly
missed by his neighbors and friends, who have long known him as an
upright and conscientious man.

Waeren Clarke, carpenter, Sublette, was born in Medfield, Nor-
folk county, Massachusetts, February 22, 1825. His father, Jacob Clarke,
was born in 1702 and died in 1865 ; he was of Scotch ancestry. His
mother, Cyntha Ann Morse, born in 1795, is still living. His father was
a fifer in the war of 1812 ; he was a first cousin of the celebrated Lowell
Mason, of Boston, to whose singing-school Warren went when a youth,
Warren Clarke learned the carpenter's trade when eighteen years of
age, having previously w^orked at shoemaking, his father's trade. He
came west in 1854 to Mendota, Illinois; worked live years in a foun-
dry there, and, except two 3'ears in the insurance business, he has since
followed carpentering in Mendota and Snblette, having moved to the
village of Sublette in 1877. While in Mendota he did many first-
class jobs, building the west side school-house, besides many of the
finest stores and dwellings. He has been a Mason since 1862, and be-
longs to the order of I.O.O.F. He has always been a republican.
Mr. Clarke has been twice married : first, 1819, in Yermont, to Julia-
etta L. Aldrich, by whom he had two children : a son, born February
1852 (deceased 1854), and a daughter, January 1857 (now Mrs. Allen,
Mendota, Illinois). In 1876 he married his second wife, Melpliia
Stearns, of Sublette, his first having died in 1873. The fruits of this
second marriage are two daughters : Mary, born June 15, 1877, and
Lina Stearns, December 1878.

John D. Touktillott, farmer, Sublette, was born June 26, 1827,
in the town of Howland, Penobscot county, Maine. His father,
Thomas Tourtillott, born in Orino, Maine, April 1786, was of French
descent. His mother, Hannah Douglass, was born in Hancock coun-
ty, Maine, April 1797, and was of Scotch ancestry. His grandfather
was a "Kevolutioner." His parents were married in Howland, Maine,
September 20, 1826. This was the second marriage of Thomas Tour-
tillott, Charlotte Inman, by whom he had eight children, being his
first wife. By his second wife he had seven children, of whom John
is the eldest. In 1839 the Tourtillotts came west in two wagons
drawn by three horses. There were fourteen in the company, and the
journey occupied seventy days. They stopped at La Moille, Bureau
county, and in the following year, 1840, came to Sublette and settled
on Sec. 31. Here the senior Tourtillotts lived till 1868, when they
ceased housekeeping and went to live among their children. Hannah
Tourtillott died March 19, 1878, at the residence of her son-in-law,
Joseph Hodges, two miles north of Sublette. She had reached the

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. 271

ripe age of nearly eighty-one years ; she had seen her family grow up
and settle, some near her and others in Kansas, Iowa, California and
elsewhere. She survived only one of her children, a son who died
October, 1876. She was a devoted christian mother, having experi-
enced religion at the age of seventeen. "She possessed an extraor-
dinary self-sacrificing and sympathetic spirit for her family." In the
following year, December 8, 1879, she was followed by her aged
companion, who, in the ninety-fourth year of his life, went to meet her
in the " better land." When twentj^-three years of age he united with
the Methodist Episcopal church, and " lived for many years an active
and zealous member, enforcing both by word and example the holy re-
ligion he professed." John Tourtillott, the only one of his family left
in Lee county, received a common school education, and was married
October 5, 1856, to Mary Jane Dexter (deceased October 1878). Four
children are the fruits Of their wedded life: John Fremont, born
July 1857 (deceased October 1858); Thomas A., September 1858;
Ella Mary, July 1862; and a deceased infant, born October 1864. He
went with his family to California in 1869, with some view of remain-
ing there, but returned in 1871. He is now living on the homestead
on Sec. 31. In politics he was an old-time whig, but he has been a
republican since the organization of that party. He and his family
are members of the Congregational church.

JSTewton Stanakd, farmer, Sublette, was born in Madison county,
New York, November 1819. His father, Libeous Stanard, born in
Yermont, was a farmer. His mother, Luceba Fay, was born in Con-
necticut. They had a family of twelve, ten of whom are living. The
father was in the war of 1812, and was at Sacket's Harbor some time
in the fall of 1840. Libeous Stanard came west with his famil}^ in two
covered wagons to Perkins' Grove, Bureau county, to which Newton
and his brother had come the year before. The family were six weeks
on their way. They bought 160 acres of land, timber and prairie,
from tlie widow of J. Kendall, some of which they afterward entered.
In 1842 the mother and one son died with typhoid fever. The father
survived till October 1859. Newton Stanard was married in Novem-
ber 1844, to Emily RenifF, who was born in New York state in 1823.
Her parents, when she was an infant, moved back to Massachusetts,
whence they came west. In the spring of 1847 Mr. Stanard bought
from John Dement the S.E. ^ of Sec. 19, Sublette, and settled there.
He hauled lumber from Chicago and built a house 24x30, with an
addition 16x16. This was then one of the best in that vicinity, and
is still in good condition. His family are : Charles, born February
1846; Ora, December 1852; Irvin, February 1857; Laura E., Sep-
tember 1859; Adella, May 1861. They have all enjoyed good edu-

272 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

cational advantages, Ora being a graduate from the college at Naper-
ville, Illinois. Charles enlisted, October 1864:, in the 75th 111., Co. E,
and was mustered out October 15, 1865. He was in the Hood campaign
in Tennessee, and saw his iirst fighting at Kashville. During the lat-
ter part of his service he was in Texas. He is married and living in
Sublette; has two children. All but one of the family ot Newton
Stanard belong to the Baptist church. Of the first family mentioned,
three own property in Bureau county, two of whom are living there.
The rest are widely scattered.

Seth F. Baibd, farmer, Sublette, was born September 1816 ; son of
Daniel and Charlotte (Field) Baird, early settlers in Sublette town-
ship. He received a common schooling and took a commercial course at
Aurora, Illinois ; was married June 12, 1870, to Amanda S. Thompson,
of Lee county, who had come from West Virginia with her people the
previous year. She died July 27, 1873, leaving two children : Carrie
A. and Robert Daniel (deceased infant). Mr. Baird was again mar-
ried, February 4, 1875, to Martha A. Rees, of Indiana. She has given
birth to one child : William M., born May 1876. The family are now
living on the old homestead on Sec. 19. They are Methodists.

Chas. D. Hubbard, painter, Sublette, was born in Lee county. May
4, 1846, and is the youngest son of Royal Prescott Hubbard, who was
born in Sunderland, Mass., September 1805. The mother of the lat-
ter, Lavinia Prescott, was one of a family of Prescotts noted in Ameri-
can history, and who trace their lineage to a certain James Prescott,
in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, of England. Moses Hubbard was
the father of Royal P. Hubbard, who is the eldest of a family of thir-
teen, only four of whom are living. In 1827 he sailed from New
York in company with forty-one young men from Connecticut and
Massachusetts, and settled in Macon, Georgia, where lie engaged in
mercantile business till 1835, when he had to flee for his life, having too
fi'eely expressed his sentiments in regard to the atrocities of slavery.
This was the first abolition excitement there, and the mob surrounded
the home of our subject a few minutes after he left it and fled to
Charleston and out of the South, of course losing all his property
there. In 1838 he came to Princeton, Illinois, and in 1844 to Sublette,
settling on Sec. 17. In 1842 he married Mary (Boring) Berkeley, a
widow with four children, by whom he had four more, all of whom
are living. Their mother died May 13, 1881. When the rebellion
broke out Mr. Hubbard, having seen all the horrors of slavery, told
his sons td* " pitch in and clean them out." All of them, four in num-
ber, went into the service, and the father also offered his life, but was
rejected because of physical disability. Chas. Hubbard enlisted in the
75th 111., Co. E, Captain Frost; was in the battle of Perryville. In

SUBLETTi: TOWNSHIP. 273

this engagement Co. E lost eleven killed, twenty-six wounded and two
prisoners. He was in the fighting at Stone river, and nnder Hooker
at Lookout Mountain ; was at Crawfish Springs as a flank in the battle
of Chickamauga ; was at Missionary Ridge, and with Sherman to a
little below Atlanta. Came back with Thomas to Tennessee, and was
in the fighting at Nashville and Franklin. He was mustered out June
12, 1865, without a wound, and having won the reputation of being a
splendid soldier, being especially noted for his intrepidity and love for
foraging. He was married August 26, 1871, to Lida K. Anderson, of
Dixon. Their issue are: Louis P., March 1873; Mary G., August
1875; John, June 1878. Mr. Hubbard is living near the village of
Sublette.

James Black, farmer, Sublette, was born January 1823, in the
province of Leinster, Ireland. His parents, John and Charlotte (Pilk-
ington) Black, had a family of seven children, and James Black was
educated for the ministry of the English Episcopal church at Trinity
College, Dublin, leaving that institution when he was about to take the
degree of A.B. About 1843 his father sold his property in Ireland to
go to Australia, but in consequence of a wreck off Cape Good Hope he
returned to his native land with his family and three or four thousand
pounds, the remnant of his property. Remaining a few years in Ireland,
he came to America with all his family except the eldest son, and
settled in ISTew Jersey, where he and his wife both died, and where
their youngest daughter is now living. James Black was married,
1850, in New Jersey, to Sarah Wynne, by whom he has had ten children,
eight of whom are living : William, born January 1853, Lottie (now
Mrs. Levi Mead, Astoria county, Iowa), Susan, John, Jane (deceased,
aged eleven years), Sarah, James, Hattie, George (deceased, infant),
Edith. Mr, Black came to Lee Center township about 1853, and in
1860 to Sec. 1, Sublette, he and his brother buying 182 acres in the
N.W. |- of same. Here he has since lived. The family are members
of the Congregational church.

C. M. Miller, butter and cheese maker, Sublette, was born in the
Rhine province, Prussia, November 28, 1854. He was the eldest child
of K. and Anne (Michels) Miller, who with their family came to Win-
field, Du Puge county, Illinois, in 1864. The subject of this notice
received a common education in the English and German schools. Mr.
Miller has been thoroughly schooled in the cheese and butter business,
having been employed by several of the best manufacturers in the
famous- Fox river region. In 1873 he began in La Fox, Kane county,
under Potter & Baker, and afterward in the same vicinity for H. L.
Ford. He was subsequently employed by Martin Switzer at St.
Charles, same county, making the first cheese in his factory there, and

274 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

also in Batavia b}^ H, A. Bogardns, M'holesale dealer in butter and
cheese, Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Miller began to manufacture for himself
in Cook county, Palatine Grove, thence to Sublette in the spring of
of 1881, buying the factory built by George Pulling. This establish-
ment when completed will have cost about $3,500. A boiler and
engine have been put in and a milk pool is contemplated. Mr. Miller
is making both butter and cheese, shipping chiefly to Chicago. He is
governed in his sales by Elgin prices, and his business is steadily
increasing and promises soon to be a leading industry.

Oliver A. Wood, farmer, Sublette, was born in Bolton, Massachu-
setts, June 1833, son of Amariah and Kachel (Atherton) Wood, born
May, 1807, and February, 1811, respectively. Both of his parents are
of English descent, his mother having descended from one of four
brothers named Atherton who came to Massachusetts at an early period.
Oliver Wood is the oldest and the only survivor in a family of four
sons and three daughters. The latter all died young in the east ; one
son died an infant. The rest of the family, Oliver, George and Frank,
received a good education for the times. In 1851 the family came to
Sublette and settled on Sec. 30, where Oliver and his family are
living with his parents. George was killed at Chickasaw Bayou, near
Vicksburg, December 1803. Frank died in the hospital at jSTashville,
January 1864. Oliver Wood enlisted in the 75th 111., Co. E, in
August 1862. He was seriously wounded in the battle of Perryville,
and was mustered out January 8, 1863, having been confined in hospital
from October, 1862, till January, 1863, at Perryville and Louisville,
Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana. His wound was a serious one,
the ball passing entirely through his abdomen, and from its effects he
has suffered more or less ever since. Mr. Wood married, August 1803,
Climena Hubbard, daughter of Koyal Prescott Hubbard. Their sons,
George Frank, born October 1865, and Leon A., October 1869, con-
stitute their family, having lost their two daughters in infancy. Mr.
Wood is a Mason and an Odd-Fellow, and with his family belongs to
the Congregational church. He owns the homestead of 120 acres.

John C. Spielmann, farmer, Mendota, was born in Hesse Darm-
stadt, Germany, March 9, 1830. His parents are John and Mary
(Sinner) Spielmann, and he is the only survivor of their four children.
In 1847 he came via New York directly to Lee county with his father
and mother, who are now living with him. They settled on Sec. 34,
buying a claim of 30 acres from a Mr. Kenney. They now own a
valuable farm in Sees. 34 and 35, and in Bureau county opposite. In
1871 they built a fine residence on Sec. 35, on the Chicago road. In
1858 Mr. Spielmann married Julia Naumann ; they have no children,
but they have reared two adopted ones: Julia Kinnenberger, who was

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP, 275

married in 1879, to Julius Alber, now living in Iowa; and George
Higgins, aged fifteen years. John Spielmann, jr., is a self-made man,
having received the most of his education in the German tongue.
From 1854 until 1869 he was a circuit preacher in the church of the
E.A.U.A., but quit these duties on account of bodily infirmities. He
has preached in Cook, La Salle, Tazewell, Peoria, Kankakee and other
counties in this vicinity. Hfi is a man of unimpeachable character,
and is better known in Bui'eau than in Lee county.

Jacob Richert, farmer, Mendota, was born in Alsace, Germany,
November 1835; son of John and Anna C. (Staub) Richert, and is
the fifth in a family of four boys and three girls. In 1854 he came to
New Orleans with Peter Richert, his eldest brother, thence to Lee
county in the fall of 1854, stopping in Indiana during the summer.
Jacob worked around for several years, and in the spring of 1861
bought 80 acres in Sec. 36 from John Frj, jr., at $21 per acre. In
the same year he enlisted in Co. B, 52d 111. Inf. This regiment was
mustered at Geneva, Illinois, and departed late in the fall of 1861 for
St. Louis, thence to St. Joseph, where they staid about two months.
From here they were sent to Tennessee, by the way of Quincy and
Cairo, Illinois, crossing the Mississippi at Quincy on the ice. The
regiment came up at Fort Donelson just as the rebels surrendered,
and were under Grant at Shiloh, losing there 260 of their number
in killed and wounded. Previously Mr. Richert had been detailed as
a guard with prisoners to Springfield, Illinois. He was in the battle of
Corinth, where his regiment staid till they were sent to Pulaski, Ten-
nessee, in the earl}?- winter of 1863. From here Mr. Richert was sent
home to recruit, remaining home five months and returning with as
many recruits. He reentered the 52d in the Atlanta campaign in
June 1864, and was engaged in twenty days, hard fighting and skir-
mishing. He was mustered out at Rome, Georgia, October 1864, not
having received a scratch during his faithful service. In December,
1864, he married Mary Butz, of May township, and seven children
now gladden their home : Frederick, born December 1865 ; Mary,
born February 1868; George B., born April 1870; Sarah, born Aug-
ust 1873; Clara, born September 1875; Emma, born January 1878;
Simon, born September 1880. Mr. Richert now owns the S.E. ^ Sec.
36, having bought the west half of the same from Michael Bitner at
$45 per acre. There are good buildings on the place, and its owner is
now enabled to enjoy the fruit of his toil. He and his family are mem-
bers of the Evangelical church. Mr. Richert is a republican. His
father has been to Illinois three times, once remaining four years, and
returned to his native land for the last time in 1876, and died in

276 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Baden wliile on the way. For many years he had lived among his
children, and had a strong attachment for the sea.

Christian Biester, farmer, Sublette, was born in Germany, Han-
over county, December 1831. His parents, Fred and Caroline (Weber)
Biester, had a famil}^ of three boys and one girl. His father was seven
years in the German army. Our subject came to America in 1855,
via Baltimore to Chicago, where he stopped two years ; thence to Lee
county, Illinois. Here he worked out for several years as a farm-
hand. In 1867 he bought eighty acres in Sec. 8. He has been in-
dustrious and careful, and now has the deeds for 236 acres of valuable
land, upon which he erected a fine dwelling in 1873. He went back
to Germany in the fall of 1861, and was there married, March 1862, to
Dora Miller, whom he had known in childhood. They arrived in
Chicago in March 1862. Their family are : Louis, born January 1863;
Henry, November 1865; Ernest, November 1867 ; Dora, December
1869; Mary, June 1871; Anna, May 1873; August, December 1874.
The family belonged to the Lutheran church. Mr. Biester is the only
one of his family that came to America. Mrs. Biester's inother came to
America in 1868. The latter has a son in Dakota, a daughter in Min-
nesota, and three daughters, all married, living in Lee county.

John H. Schwoub, farmer, Sublette, was born in Hesse Darmstadt,
Germany, May 1, 1813. He was six years in the German army. In
1847 he came to America with his family of a wife and liv-e children.
He settled on Sec. 34 in the town of Sublette, and now owns a farm of
170 acres there. He first bought thirty acres on which was a log
house, on the north side of the "Chicago road," on land now owned
by Conrad Speilman. "When twenty-five years of age he married
Margaret Kilhl. Their children are : George, Conrad (enlisted in
Co. B, 52d 111. Vols., and was killed at Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia) ;
Philip, Mary, Henry, Katherine, Eva and Margaret. George, Henry,
Mary (Mrs. Reichart) and Margaret (Mrs. Boeler) are living in Clay
county, Kansas, and Katherine (Mrs. Tliomas Boettcher) in Mendota.
Eva (Mrs. Baoer) is now living with her husband on the homestead.
Schwoub belongs to the Evangelical church, and his life shows that he
is a true disciple of Christ. In politics he was an old-time democrat;
but voted for Fremont and Lincoln, and has since been a republican.

Frederick Oberhelman, grain-buyer, Sublette, was born in War-
ren county, Missouri, in 1844. His father, Frederick, and his mother,
Christine (Knoepker), came to Missouri, the former in 1833, the latter
in 1838. Frederick was the eldest in a family of eleven children.
His father was a farmer and he was reared to the same business. His
grandfather was a German soldier, and was in the battles of Leipsic,
Watei'loo, and others. Mr. Oberhelman was sent to sciiool but little,

SUBLETTE TOWNSHIP. 277

in all not more than twelve months, and never to an English school.
During the war of the rebellion he was five years in the Missouri
State Militia and Home Guards. In 1866 he married Mary E. Betz,
daughter of John Betz, an early settler in Sublette. None of their
children have lived ; they have one adopted daughter. Mr. Oberhel-
man began farming in 1867 on Sec. 22, and continued in the same till
1871, when he went into the business of buying and shipping grain in
the village of Sublette. In 1874 he built an elevator, which with his
engine cost him $5,000. He also deals in coal and lumber, and till re-
cently dealt in live-stock. His business is prosperous, he having paid
out as much as $100,000 in one year. He and his wife belong to the
Evangelical Lutheran church. In politics he is non-partisan.

Elijah Austin, farmer, Sublette, was born in upper Canada,
January 1820. His father, Norman Austin, and his mother, Sarah
Landers, were natives of Connecticut. His ancestors were "Revolu-
tioners," and his father served in the war of 1812. In the fall of 1837
Elijah Austin went to Sandusky, Ohio, thence with wagon to the
present site of Galesburg, Illinois, passing through Aurora and Mon-
mouth, then only the germs of towns ; lived in Knox county till 1840,
when he went back east. Returning to Knox county, he lived there
till 1846, thence to Princeton. In 1849 he made a claim on Sees.
17 and 18, of 152 acres. In 1859 he bought from Henry Hannon 80
acres formerly owned by Daniel Baird, who lived on the old La Salle
and Grand De Tour road, where Mr. Austin now resides. The latter
owns a large farm in Sees. 17, 18, 19, and a few acres in Sec. 20,
besides a hundred acres in Sec. 30. In 1843 Mr. Austin married
Sarah Burton, of Hancock county, Illinois. They have a famil}^ of
seven children living. Abagail, born December 1843 (wjfe of Nelson
Yan Fleet, Kansas, son of an old settler in Aurora) ; Mary, born 1845
(Mrs. Joseph Doane, died in 1868) ; Burton, February 1848 (married
October 1876, has two children and is farming in Sublette); Elizabeth,
May 1850 ; Melissa, September 1852 ; Jane, March 1855 ; Frances A.,
September 1866; Minnie R., April 1871. The last two are by his
second wife, Catherine Austin, to whom he was married September
1863. Elizabeth (Mrs. Blair) is living in Brooklyn township. In
politics Mr. Austin is an ex- republican greenbacker, formerly a free-
soiler. He is a Mason, a genial neighbor and a kind father.

Silas D. Reniff, farmer, Sublette, born 1816, in Tioga county, New
York, is the son of Ephraim and Betsey (Wesson) Reniif, both born in
Massachusetts. His grandfather on the father's side was a Scotchman.
Ephraim RenifF was a farmer and had a family of eight children. In
1843 he came west, and settled on section 19, where Seth Baird lives.
The following year Silas Renift came out and claimed a half-section of
17

278 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

land, one half of which he afterward entered. This was a 160 in
Sec. 20, where he now lives. He owns 2-10 acres of well improved
land, upon which there are good buildings. In 1849 Mr. Reniff was
married to Laura Angler, only sister of Thomas Angler. Their issue
is a son, Ernest, born September 1855 ; he married Mary Chamberlain,
May 1876, by whom he has two boys, Ernest and Laurie, born No-
vember, 1877, and June, 1880, respectively. Mr. RenifF has been a
very energetic business man, and is now active for one of his age.
For many years he has been a general stock dealer and he is now
shipping to Chicago. For twenty-seven years he has assessed the town
of Sublette, and has been twenty years school trustee. Before coming
west he was eight years a teamster to Boston, driving an eight-horse
team about a hundred miles to and from that city. Then and for many
years after he was an athletic and daring man, and one with whom it
was not safe to trifle. He is a staunch republican and a perfectly
reliable man. His father died about 1855 and his mother a few years
later.

Thomas S. Angiek, farmer and magistrate, Sublette, was born
1822, in Fitzwilliam, Cheshire county, New Hampshire; he is the son
of Abel and Laura (Holmes) Angier, born 1797 and 1801 respectively.
His grandparents were born in New England, and his great-grand-
father Amidon was in the revolution. His mother died when he was
eight years old, and his father seven years later. Thomas, the only
son in a family of two children, received a common school education ;
was married in 1838, to Fannie, daughter of Benjamin B. and Grata
(Whitney) Morse, who was born in New Hampshire in 1821. Her
ancestors, Whitney and Morse were " Revolutioners," and the latter
was in the war of 1812. Mr. Angier, with his w^ife and one child,
came west to LaMoille, Bureau county, Illinois, in 1840; thence to
Sublette, Lee county, the following spring, settling on the N.E. J of
Sec. 31, having bought it the year before. Of a family of ten children
only three survive. In the summer of 1861 his eldest sons, Abel,
born in 1838, and Leander in 18-41, enlisted in Co. D, 46th 111. Yols.
In the winter of 1861-2, before their regiment went south, both were
taken sick with diphtheria. Though two others of the family died at
this time, they recovered, and were with Co. D till the fall of 1862,
when both were in the hospital at Memphis; there Leander died in
September. Abel did not again enter the service, and died of con-
sumption in 1873. Ambrose, third in the family, is married and living
on the homestead. In 1874 Mr. Angier moved to the village of Sub-
lette, where he has since lived. He is a man in whom the people have
entire confidence, having held some office ever since the organization
of the township. In 1851 he was elected justice of the peace, in

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 279

which capacity he has acted ever since. He has been eighteen years
supervisor of Sublette township, and much of that time was chairman
of the board of supervisors. Besides these he has held other offices ;
he is consequently well acquainted with the development of this town-
ship, and to him the writer is indebted for much valuable information.
Mr. Angler is a republican and a Mason, and may be very appropri-
ately styled " the oracle of Sublette."

Philip Fauble, farmer, Sublette, was born in Lee county in April
1851. His father, John Fauble, was an early settler in Sublette and
acquired a large property. His mother is one of the largest tax-paj^ers
in the county. In October, 1877, Philip Fauble married Barbara
Pope, of Bureau county. Their family : George L., born June 1879,
and Katie, December 1880. He has a farm of 200 acres in Sec. 32.
This is known as the William Tourtillott farm. In 1880 Mr. Fauble
built a fine barn at a cost of about $1,400. He has a good house and
a large orchard. His wife owns a quarter-section in Brooklyn town-
ship. They are members of the Evangelical church. Our subject
received a common school education ; he is a strong republican and
a man of pleasing address.

AMBOY TOWNSHIP.

SETTLEMENT.
A Frenchman named Filamalee is said to have been the first white
settler in Palestine Grove and in the present limits of Amboy town-
ship. Some of the earlier settlers remember his shanty about a mile
south of Rocky Ford, and have not forgotten the mortar made in a
burr-oak stump in which he pounded his corn for bread, and which re-
mained for a long time as a relic to mark the first pioneer settlement.
He belonged to that unsettled class who were never content to live in
any region except where savage dominion was weakening to dissolu-
tion, and civilized footsteps chased hard upon the departing race. He
could not bear the sight of regular occupation and improvement, and
as soon as the tide of immigration set in he moved farther away into
the mediate solitude between the red and the white man. In his
eulogy upon Daniel Boone the poet Byron spoke not less truly of all
his congeners when he said,

" ' Tis true, he shrank from men even of his nation,

When they built up unto his darling trees;

He mov'd some hundred miles off, for a station,

Where there were fewer houses and more ease.

The inconvenience of civilization

Is, that you neither can be pleased, nor please.

But where he met the individual man.

He showed himself as kind as mortal can."

280 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

The first permanent settler was John Dexter, who emigrated from
Canada in the spring of 1835, and made a claim on the north side of
Palestine Grove, and on the N.W. ^ Sec. 13. Here he built a cabin
about twelve feet square, and then went on as fast as he could to add
other improvements to his home ; in the meantime looking anxiously
but waiting patiently for others to come into the neighborhood. It
must not be thought that lie was a solitary inhabitant ; on the contrary,
he had near neighbors east of him at Inlet Grove. But the spring of
1836 brought the second settler, and Dexter, it may be supposed,
began to feel that this could not much longer be regarded as the
frontier. The new arrival was James Doan and his young wife, now
Mrs. O. J. Fish, of China township. He made his claim south of the
Inlet, on the place now better known as the Joseph Lewis farm, from
having been owned by the latter from 1845 till a recent date. He
was from Berrien county, Michigan, but had been raised in Indiana.
His father, John Doan, ^vas a JSI^orth Carolinian. Th^e latter and his
daughter Jemima came with his son, the trip being made by the
family in a Pennsylvania wagon drawn by three yoke of oxen. James
Doan had visited this place in October 1835, and selected his own as
well as a claim for his father and another for his brother Joseph.
After a patch of sod corn had been planted John Doan and his
daughter returned to Michigan, and in the following autumn the
whole family came to their new home. Until their arrival the days
passed wearily, and the season was one crowded with painful discon-
tent to Mrs. Doan, and for long weeks at a time she saw no other
white person than her own husband. The Indian-trail from Council
Bluffs to Chicago lay only a little way off" to the south of their cabin,
and the camping ground of these roving bands was on the Blunt
farm. Large bodies of them often stopped there ; and the Shabbona
Indians came nearly as often into the neighborhood to hunt.

Andrew Baintee, brother-in-law to James Doan, arrived in the
spring of 1837, and took the claim where Seneca Strickland lives, on
the Sublette road. His second house, a frame dwelling, was the one
which has been improved and is now occupied by Benjamin Tread-
well. The next and most important addition to the infant community
was Asa B. Searles, who arrived in October 1837, with a horse-team,
from New York, and was accompanied from Peoria by Benjamin
Wasson, another New Yorker, who had been here the year before and
taken a claim on Sees. 14 and 15. Mr. Searles located the S. -J Sec. 14,
on which, several years later, he laid out the village of Binghamton.
Nathan Meek was living in the vicinity of Rocky Ford as early as
1837. His name will recall to the old settlers many suspicious cir-
cumstances and an unsavory reputation, all suggesting the operations

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 281

of the banditti. His " corn-cracker," situated three miles down the
stream, was the first mill for grinding in Lee county. He sometimes
attempted to make flour, but it was always of execrable quality.

On Mr. Searle's first arrival he found a saw-mill in operation at
Rocky Ford, owned by Timothy Perkins and Horace Bowen, and
when he finally came with his family, on Christmas eve in the same
year, it had become the property of a man named Lee. He kept it
awhile and sold out to Mason ; the latter died, and it passed into
the hands of John Van Norman, from whom it was purchased in 1848
by F. R. Dutcher. A log-dam spanned the stream, and the mill was
run by a "flutter" wheel. One Mitchell was millwright.

James Blair and his sons William, Winthrop, and Edwin were
pioneers of 1837. The latter has the old homestead on Sec. 29. The
same year John S. Sawj^er and four sons erected a cabin south of the
Illinois Central shops. Sawyer sold a part of his claim to Joseph
Farwell in 1841, and the rest to Joseph Appleton.

Alexander Janes also became a resident, but the next year sold his
claim to Chester S. Badger and moved to Bureau county, where he
acquired wealth and an honorable reputation. Mr. Badger was from
Broome county, New York, and came to Illinois and worked at mill-
wrighting during the season of 1837, and returned home in the fall ;
the following year he and his son Simon settled in this township, and
in 1839 Warren, another son, arrived, bringing the mother and her
two daughters Sarah and Roena. In the autumn Warren returned to
his native home, remaining there until 1842, when he came w^est again
and resided in Amboy township until his death in 1861. Chester
Badger, a younger son, drove through from New York alone with a
two-horse team in 1840, and has been a resident here since. The
Badgers located their homesteads about a mile and a half east of
Amboy. Henry Badger came in 1849, and has always lived in Bing-
hamton. The senior Badger brought hardwood lumber from Frank-
lin Grove and built the first frame house in the settlement. A party
consisting of John C. Church, Curtis Bridgman and his sons Curtis
and Urial, and Wm. Hunt, the three last unmarried men, arrived in
midsummer of 1838. The senior Bridgman returned to Steuben
county. New York, in the following autumn and brought the remainder
of the family. Mr. Church selected a claim one mile south of Amboy,
but in 1841 sold to Jacob Doan, who immigrated from Ohio that year,
and secured another where he is now living, adjoining the northern
limits of the city. Wm. Church settled here a little later the same
season that his brother did ; he lived in this vicinity until twenty years
ago, when he removed to Iowa. The year 1838 must be credited with
another valuable citizen in the person of Martin Wright, from the

2^82 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Bay State, who lived in the remote northeast corner of the township.
He was a large-hearted, liberal-minded, just man, and enjoyed in the
highest degree the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. He
served them as assessor, and many years as road commissioner, and
died about a year ago. His widow survives. Harvey Axtell settled
in the southwest corner of the township; Frederick Baldwin on Sec.
10, where James Luce lives; and Ransom Barnes opened the Isaac
Gage farm. The two latter were from the Empire State, and the
three belong to 1838.

Frederick Bainter came into the Doan neighborhood in the same
season. John Fosdick settled at Lee Center a year earlier, and worked
at his trade of blacksmithing, assisted by James Doan, another crafts-
man, until the next spring, when the shop was moved to Doan's. This
was the first smithy in Amboy township. After a residence here of
three years, Fosdick went back to Lee Center. Doan and Frederick
Bainter afterward carried on blacksmithing sometime together ; the
former invented and the two manufactured the first scouring plow ever
used in these parts, but for some reason Doan's efibrts failed to secure
a patent. He visited Washington for that purpose as early as 1841 or
1842 ; six or seven j^ears later he sold his interest to his partner, and
in 1849 went to California, where in 1853 he was murdered. To the
pioneers the mention of this scouring plow will bring back the recol-
lection of the hardships and inferiority of farming in those days, when
the wooden moldboard plow and the wooden tooth harrow were the
standard implements for preparing the ground for seed. The harvest
was gathered with the hand sickle, a diminutive instrument which very
/ew of to-day could recognize, and the cradle, a great improvement on
the back-breaking sickle, wliich is now hardly more to be seen. Then
the grain was spread upon the ground in a circle and tramped out
with horses or oxen ; the winnowing was done in the wind, which,
thanks to the open prairie, was seldom too low to be available at any
moment ; and next followed the really romantic part of the season's
work — hauling to Chicago, a hundred miles, the grain which brought
but thirty or forty cents per bushel. Pork commanded from $1.25 to
$2 per hundred. It will not escape attention that the virgin soil when
once subdued, a task to accomplish which was no light labor with the
tools then in use, produced good crops with little care. It has been
said that to " tickle it with a plow it would laugh with a crop," and
"Chet" Badger afiirms that " tickling" was about all it received. It
must have been so if he could plow five acres a day with an ox team.
In less reverent sections of the country such treatment of the soil
would be called " deviling."

The trip to Chicago consumed eight or ten days, the net results of

AMEOY TOWNSHIP. 283

which were a few sparing comforts, — perhaps a pail, a pound of tea, a
little cofltee and some "factory," a few nails, a barrel of salt, and occa-
sionally a jag of lumber ; but rarely did one journey suffice to purchase
so many needful articles. Will the reader suppose that these early
settlers were chained to a hard lot ? Far from that was their condition.
Although they were mostly poor and toiled hard, yet their surroundings
were such as to take the sting from poverty ; for there was no " society "
with its absurd conventionalities, and they found that labor stimulated
an appetite devoid of fault, and inclined them always to health and
refreshing slumber.

" tall, and strong, and swift of foot were tbey,

Beyond the dwarfing city's pale abortions ;

Because their thoughts had never been the prey

Of selfish care or gain ; the wilds were their portions.

No sinking spirits told them they grew gray,

No fashion made them apes of her distortions.

*****
Motion was in their days, rest in their slumbers;
And cheerfulness the handmaid of their toil;
Nor yet too many, nor too few their numbers ;
Corruption could not make their hearts her soil.
The lust which stings, the splendor which encumbers,
With the free pioneers divide no spoil."

All within a radius of many miles were neighbors; friendship and
equality prevailed, and selfishness was as rare in those times as the
noble qualities we have named are in these. Mutual dependence fos-
tered a spirit of true sympath_y, and every hand was ready and never
forgot to assist, either in the smaller or the greater offices of kindness.
No man or woman could excuse himself or herself from neighborly
acts, nor would they have done so if they could. Such meanness
would have been equivalent to banishment from the community.
Neither was hospitality limited to friends, for it would not then have
been hospitality, but it was extended even to the stranger, whom they
greeted with thrilling welcome, smiles of joy, goodly cheer, and for
whom they made a ready place of comfort at their glowing hearth-
stones and plain, but tidy boards. In the broadest humanitj^ they
asked, "Who is my neighbor?" Not like "a certain lawyer," "will-
ing to justify himself;" but to answer only as the unhampered soul in
its natural vigor can. just as the Great Master taught. The desire to
secure emigrants was very great, and every inducement in the form of
entertainment, and assistance to find claims, was tendered to those who
proposed to become actual settlers ; and some went so far as to divide
their own claims to secure near neighbors. It should be recorded of
Mr. Searles that he was conspicuous for his eiforts in this direction. In
a few years population became comparatively numerous. Work on

284 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

the old Central railroad was an instrument which added not a little to
the increase. The failure of that mammoth enterprise left some
laborers too poor to get away, while others were too much pleased
with the country to depart.

It would be impossible to give a complete list of the early settlers,
but some not yet spoken of may be mentioned.

In 1839 Cyrus Davis and his son Cyrus A., Massachusetts men,
improved a home on the S.E. ^ Sec. 15 ; this land is now Wyman's
addition to Amboy. In 1840 John Hook and his brother William
and their parents, all from Maine, located tiieir home at Rocky Ford
in the month of February. Aaron Hook, another son, had emigrated
to Bureau county two years before. Reuben Bridgman began an im-
provement on Sec. 10 in 1840. Joseph Farwell came in 1841 and
settled on the N.E. I Sec. 22. On this tract the original plat of Am-
boy was located. Jesse Hale arrived in 1841 ; and Samuel Bixby, a
" Green Mountain Boy," emigrated from Steuben county, New York,
in 1844, and bought the claim of Joseph Gardner. Lyman Bixby
migrated to these parts the same year.

Joseph Appleton came to the country as early as 1841 or 1842; sub-
sequently he returned to his native state of Kew Hampshire, married,
and in 1844 brought his family and settled on the E. -| of N.W. ^ See.
22. This is now Gilson's addition to Amboy. Josiah Davis, brother
to Cyrus, improved the W. ^ of E.W. I Sec. 22 about the same year
of Appleton's final settlement.

Frances H. Northway removed to this township in 1844 and entered
the S.E. ^ Sec. 3. Orres Adams came with his family the same year,
also David Searles and Alvan H. Thompson. Hiel Lewis reached this
place from Pennsylvania in 1842, and Miles and Joseph in 1845.

In 1846 Seth W. Holmes entered the E. ^ of S.W. ^ Sec. 9, where
he has since resided. Elijah and Warren Hill joined the settlement
in the same year; and Henry C. Shaw came to Binghamton and en-
gaged in the manufacture of the Doan plow.

The Hills established themselves on the school section, which, by
the way, was all sold for sixty cents per acre.

In 1849 John M. Blocher settled north of Amboy, where the Shaw
heirs now live. The Blunt farm was opened ver^^ early by a man
named Hawley, who stayed a short time and then removed to another
neighborhood.

SQUATTERS' ASSOCIATION.

Until the fall of 1844, when the first land sales were held at Dixon,
the inhabitants of Amboy township (the reader will understand that
for convenience we use names by anticipation) were squatters. The
country had been surveyed into townships but not into sections; and

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 285

when the last survey took place a general rectifying of lines occurred;
not unfrequently the partition divided a claim in twain, and then
would follow a trade with a neighboring squatter, one or the other
perhaps taking up a new location.

It does not require much penetration to discover that anterior to
this time, in the absence of all regulations for maintaining themselves in
their homes, there would not have been wanting vexatious sources of
disagreement, which would have ended in confusion, if not in some-
thing worse. As the individual disposition is to infringe private as well
as public rights, so the spontaneous movement of a community is toward
the general security by opposing and restraining the smaller with the
collective force. Nine years elapsed from the iirst permanent settle-
ment of the township till the land came into market; during the first
two years, and until immigration began to assume some importance,
the danger from trespass or claim-jumping was too small to excite
notice, but in 1837 the people in this vicinity banded together with
those having a common center at Inlet Grove, for mutual protection,
and the settlement of disputes respecting claims. Somewhat later the
Palestine Grove Association was organized, and held its meetings at
Sherman Hatch's and "Wm. Dolan's. All necessity for it having
ceased, in 1847 it was discontinued. The people were everywhere
thus organized into associations, with meeting-places convenient to
their locality. These were every one independent of the other, but as
their objects were kindred, each was at all times ready to help enforce
the authority of a neighboring organization on call. They were known
as "Grove Associations," and the assemblies were called "grove meet-
ings." From a few fragmentary papers, relics of the Inlet Society, for
whose use we are indebted to the courtesy of Ira Brewer, Esq., of
Bradford township, we are able to present a partial yet tolerably clear
view of the powers assumed, the business transacted, and the manner
of procedure adopted. The earliest document, the constitution, the
original draft of which is in the handwriting of Joseph Sawyer, bears
date at " Inlet, Ogle county, Illinois, July 10, 1837," and the sub-
scribers, sixt3^-six in number, set forth their purposes in the following
preamble : " The encouragement that congress gave to the pioneers of
this country stimulated the present inhabitants to sacrifice property
and ease, and commence a long and fatiguing journey in order to better
tliemselves and their oftspring, — not only to encounter the fatigue of
a long and expensive journey, but also the privations to which they
were exposed in consequence of the scarcity of the comforts of life, as
well as the inclemency of the weather in open log cabins. Everything
considered, we think it no more than right, just, and honorable that
each man should hold a reasonable claim, and at the land sales obtain

286 HISTOKY OF LEE COUNTY,

his lands at congress price." They express their willingness to be
governed by rales and regulations based upon equity, and adopt a code,
a summary of the chief features being that they " voluntarily agree to
join together in defense of their honest claims as far as prudency and
honorable principles dictate," and declaring that those which "have
been established in the Grove shall be considered honest claims and
defended as such." Provision was made for a committee of five to be
chosen by the inhabitants to decide "in regard to the honest right and
title to claims " ; for the rejection of one or more of the committee by
either contestant, and for the removal of the entire committee for
cause at the pleasure of the citizens. A clerk kept the " proceedings
of the Grove," which were to be free for the inspection of all concerned.
Every rightful claimant was to be respected and defended as though
he had a warranty deed for his land. The seventh and last article is
in these words:

"Any person holding a claim must do $25 worth of work on said
claim within six months from the 10th of instant month or his claim
shall be forfeited, unless sickness or something reasonable prevents."
Oil March 16, 1839, a committee to which had been assigned the duty
of reporting amendments, addressing the "grove," say they "believe
it to be important that you not only live up to the spirit of the consti-
tution formed in 1837, but that you amend it, and adapt it to a denser
population." Already contemplating a dense population, and not yet
2,000 inhabitants in the whole county ! But then ideas are only com-
parative. As amended, the constitution further provided for an annual
meeting on the third Saturday of March each year, at which the presi-
dent and clerk were to be elected ; it enjoined upon the latter officer
the duty of giving members seven days' notice of special and annual
meetings, and the calling together of the committee to hear evidence
in contested cases, wherein two or more individuals pretended to rights
in the same claim, and granting to either party the right of appeal from
the decision of the committee to the society whose determination was to
be final. The boundaries of the association were defined as extending
" south half way from this [Inlet] grove to Knox, half way to Dixon, half
way to Malugan, half way to Palestine and halfway to Franklin Grove."
Claimants actually occupying and improving land were entitled to pro-
tection in a claim of one half-section. Nothing was to be construed
contrary to the laws of the state or of the United States. All lands
within the bounds of the association not recognized by the records of
the same as "claimed" were to be considered as unclaimed. Privilege
■was given to any person residing within the jurisdiction of the association
to become a member and have his claims recorded. At a called meeting
on the 2d a general registry of claims had been made. At the annual

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 287

meeting on the 16tli George E. Haskell was chosen president for that year,
and Martin Wright clerk. The committee elected consisted of Kan-
som Barnes, D. H. Birdsall, Ozro C. Wright, Daniel M. Dewey and
Benjamin Whiteaker. At the regular election, March 20, 1841, Messrs.
Haskell and Wright were again elected president and clerk respectively,
and D. H. Birdsall, David Tripp, Daniel M. Dewey, Charles Starks
and Sherman Shaw committee. The president and clerk were reelected
in 1842, and once more in 1843. For the former year Daniel M.
Dewey, Joseph Sawyer, Benjamin Whiteaker, Charles Starks, and D.
H. Birdsall constituted "the committee for the grove"; and for the
latter, Daniel M. Dewey, Charles Starks, Joseph Sawyer, Benjamin
Whiteaker, and Lewis Clapp.

A few extracts taken at random from their proceedings will convey
a better idea of their administration of justice than any description can.

March 2, 1839. " On motion a vote was called relative to Roswell
Streeter's holding the lot north of the township line (being north of
the one claimed by Sherman Shaw), and decided in the negative; as
also was the one east of this."

"A vote was taken on the question whether Sherman Shaw should
be allowed to claim one lot north of his present one, and decided in
the affirmative."

"A vote was taken whether Martin Wright should hold one
quarter-section, being the two second lots lying north of the township
line, and north of the two claimed by Whiteaker and Clapp, and
decided in the affirmative."

"A motion was made by George E. Haskell, and can-ied, that all
claims now made which can be satisfactorily proved by marks and
evidence be entitled to the protection of the Grove as if they were en-
tered, until a plat is provided embracing the tract within the Grove's
jurisdiction."

A reconsideration of the vote in the case of Roswell Streeter was
taken, and it was decided that he should not extend his claim one lot
farther north.

"Another vote was called to ascertain whether Sherman Shaw should
have the lot contended for by Roswell Streeter, and decided in the
affirmative."

" Voted that Lewis Clapp should hold one hundred rods in width
north of the township line (being north of his present claim), extending
the length of one lot ; and that Ozro C. Wright should have sixty rods
in width and be permitted to hold the second lot north of the town-
ship line (being north of his present claim)."

" Yoted that Nelson De Wolf should be permitted to hold the claim
of prairie that formerly belonged to Mr. Doge, but now forfeited."

288 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

March 19, 1842. — "Voted that the claim of Samuel Wressell be
forfeited ; also, that Samuel Cobel be permitted to take the same."

July 7. " The chairman stated the object of the meeting to be
to take into consideration the difficulty which had arisen between
Benoni Hannum and Martin Eastwood in regard to a certain claim
lying west of Benoni Hannum's on the south side of the road."

On motion the constitution was read by the clerk.

" It was requested that Mr, Hannum make a statement in relation
to the subject.

" A motion was made and carried that Mr. Hannum become a mem-
ber of the association, and his claim be recognized by the constitution.

'•'A motion was made and carried that no member should withdraw
from the society without leave of the association."

January 21, 1843. — "The chairman stated the object of the meet-
ing, namely, to take into consideration the adoption of such measures
whereby we all may be protected more effectually in our claim rights.

" Voted that a committee go to Dixon and get a bond drawn for
this purpose." Benjamin "Whiteaker and D. H. Birdsall appointed.

January 28. — "Article" read and unanimously adopted. Com-
mittee of five, consisting of Daniel M. Dewey, Joseph Sawyer, Charles
Starks, Daniel Frost, and Adolphus Bliss, appointed to circulate it for
signatures.

" Voted that those members who have signed the article ma}^ have
the privilege of erasing their names at the next meeting, provided all
the members of the association do not sign the same,"

February 2. — Committee to circulate bond reported and was dis-
charged. New committee appointed, composed of Charles West,
Thomas Dexter, Martin Wright, Joseph Sawyer, and William Church.

February 17. — " On motion it was carried that Joseph Sawyer,
Lewis Clapp, Charles Starks, Daniel Frost and Sherman Shaw be a
committee to go and see those members of this association that have
not signed the bond, and obtain their signatures if possible.

The purport of this bond is to us as much a matter of conjecture
as to the reader; but to throw some light upon it, as well as upon
cognate points of interest, we copy the entire report, which was evi-
dently made to the association about this time, or a little before. The
chirography is that of Mr. George E. Haskell — a beautiful, lady-like
hand. If any evidence were wanting to show the character of these
early settlers in intelligence and scholarship, this report is all that
would be required.

"The committee appointed to inquire into and investigate the
necessity and propriety of adopting some more effectual means of se-

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 289

curing claims embraced within the limits of this association, would
respectfully submit the following report :

"In the examination of the subject submitted to their investigation
your committee cannot but revert to the principles that have given rise
to this association, and operated thus far to continue it in existence to
the security and happiness of the community which it embraces.
Thrown together as its members have been from various states of our
Union, and possessing all the traits of character peculiar to those who
have been reared under different circumstances, it affords a happy
illustration of the tendency of our republican institutions, in implant-
ing, nourishing and keeping alive a spirit of equality and just regard
for the rights of all, together with that predisposition to establish and
maintain inviolate the social compact wherever the citizen of our
country may be found. Actuated by this spirit, the inhabitants of
this community early embraced the opportunity of bringing into prac-
tical operation the principle of self-government, upon a point which
legislative enactment could not reach, and which they have pledged
their honor to support; and it is a source of mutual congratulation
that thus far its tendency has been to produce the most beneficial
results. The claims of all have been respected, and a just regard
had to the growth and prosperity of the neighborhood, in the accom-
modations afforded to all that wished to unite themselves to this com-
munity in nearness of settlement. The plighted honor of the asso-
ciation has been kept good, and from the indications around it would
seem that all which was contemplated in the original organization of
this compact is to be fully realized. Such is undoubtedly the case.
But a change in our circumstances is about to take place. The rightful
owner of the soil upon which we are located is to call upon us for his due,
and that, too, at a period not far distant. Some, and it is to be hoped all,
the members of this association will be able to answer the call and
obtain a title to the land which they now claim. Under circumstances
even of this character it would appear, perhaps, that the constitution
adopted by this association might afford a sufficient guarantee for the
rights and privileges of all, but a mature consideration of the subject
has convinced your committee that such is not the case. In paying
for land, whether at the general land sales or under the preemption
law, the individual so paying receives his title to the same, which no
right of the claimant can ever reach. This, of course, is a settled and
incontrovertible point. Now it is well known and understood that
there are individuals settled upon these lands embraced within the
limits of this association, who by entering under the preemption law,
in consequence of being located on one eighty of a quarter-section can
carry the other with it, and thus deprive their neighbor of what,

290 HISTOKY OF LEE COUNTY.

under the articles of our association, is considered justly his right
to purchase of government. Again, many of the claims of the
settlers are made according to imaginary lines, which, it is supposed,
may be the lines established by the general survey, and will thus em-
brace their claim in a certain section, quarter-section, etc., as the claim-
ants themselves have marked them out. But respecting this there is
great uncertainty. The survey may accord with the claim lines, and it
may not. Instances have been mentioned, in the late subdivisions
that have taken place, where townships in some cases have overrun
and in others have fallen short. Thus a particular number of a sec-
tion, or its quarter-section, may embrace one man's claim and part of
another's, and the certificate, instead of giving him what was his, gives
him what belonged to another, and deprives that other of his right.
These two difficulties, it would seem, are the most important that pre-
sent themselves to the consideration of this body at present, and to
your committee they appear matters of consequence, and to call for
some remedial action. If it be the case that anything inteifere to pre-
vent the settlers from obtaining a title to their just claims, which it is
competent for this association to remove, it is but justice that its
powers be exerted to that point. By its constitution all its members
ar<3 entitled to call for such action ; for who can resist the conviction
that every member who has subscribed to it is pledged in his honor to
assist in affording his neighbor all the assistance consistent with hon-
orable principles in securing his claim against tlie encroachments of his
neighbor? And if that security may necessarily extend to a legal
obligation, to take effect after the land sale, does not his honor here
plighted require that he should cheerfully accede to it? It may, how-
ever, be presutned on the part of some that if such be the case the
honor here pledged may be a sufficient guarantee from the purchaser of
another man's claim to render him a title when the certificate from
government is procured. But your committee cannot come to that
conclusion. The association, as it now stands, presents a body of indi-
viduals mutually dependent on each other; consequently what may be
the interest of one must be the interest of all to a greater or less
extent ; and as the life of this association is co-existent with the life of
claims, it is only during that period that its members are privileged
with an appeal to its principles or jurisdiction. The purchaser, then,
with his title in his hands, acknowledges no respect but to the law
which secures the soil, and may forever stand aloof from him who has
trusted in vain to his honor. Again, experience plainh^ proves that
power, when once obtained, is likely to be abused. The individual
to-day surrounded by circumstances that constrain him to act with pro-
priety, and to deal out justice to all with whom he may stand con-

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 291

nected, to-morrow, by a change of circumstances, may be ready to hold
at bay all whom he had before respected. This principle in human
nature, so generally applicable that any deviation from it is accounted
an exception to a general rule, behooves men, as they regard their own
peace and that of those around them, to guard well against it, and
w^iere or when can they be called upon more imperiously than in this
association and at this time? It is a call not only to secure effectually
a right, but to perform a duty which respects the well being, future
prosperity, peace and harmony of the social compact, of which each
settler forms a part. To your committee it would seem that no reas-
onable objection could arise in the mind of anyone to secure his
neighbor by a legal obligation to take effect conditionally after the
land sales may Jiave taken place. This undoubtedly would prevent
any disturbance whatever, and is so clearly predicated upon the golden
rule that any man who might dissent ^from it, would seem not to be
actuated by those principles; and if he could not now show himself
willing to comply with them it cannot be considered safe to predict
that he would at any time hereafter. It is therefore recommended to
this association that they adopt the following resolution :

'■'•Resolved^ That the members of this association who may now
have their claim limits marked and defined, be each separately and in-
dividually required, as soon as it may be required of them by an ad-
joining claimant, to enter into a bond with such adjoining claimant,
conditioned that if he, the person so required, shall purchase or cause
to be purchased of government any of the lands embraced within the
adjoining claimant's claim lines, acknowledged and defined according
to the customs of the grove association, he will convey by deed to such
adjoining claimant (upon said claimant's furnishing the money to pay
for the same to the government) all the land which he may have so
purchased within his (the requiring claimant's) claim lines as above
specified, within thirty days after such purchase. And further, that
all those whose claim limits are not specifically defined shall immedi-
ately proceed to have their lines clearly marked out according to the
custom of this association, and enter into the bond as herein named
and required of those whose boundaries are defined; and upon failure
of any member to comply herewith he shall cease to be a member of
this association, and shall no longer be entitled to its protection. All
of which is respectfully submitted.

"Signed, "Geoege E. Haskell,

"Benjamin Whiteaker,
"Joseph Sawyer,
"Lewis Clapp,
"Martin Weight.

'•'- Comriiittee.''''

292 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

This ]-eport and these proceedings give a very fair idea of the
methods adopted by the inhabitants to protect each man in his right of
possession to land, and tlie spirit which animated and governed them
in the exercise of their powers. Technically they were there without
right — trespassers upon the public domain — yet doing in advance only
that which was a gratification to the law and fulfillment of it, when in
its tardy progress westward it should overtake "the star of empire."
The\^ had left bustling communities and cultivated homes behind, with
the ambitious design of making other homes; and while, perhaps, in
the long run they would increase their possessions, it was still as much
a matter of complacent regard and calculation to the whole country as
to them, inasmuch as could be seen in it a laudable growth of empire
in wealth, settlement, and population. Civilized usage defends the
natural right of ownership to the person first in possession, and the
moral aspect of the situation which the early settlers assumed is a com-
plete justification of the course they adopted and pursued. The
government, indeed, owned the land, and was willing that it should be
occupied ; but made no choice as to occupants, and would give title,
when put in market, to whomsoever should first present himself as a
purchaser. As regarded land and law the pioneers were in the con-
dition of our first parents ; to the former they held on by sufiei'ance,
and of the latter experienced a distressing nakedness; but their pro-
gramme contemplated not their own driving out, but that of the interlo-
pers and speculators. Respecting the question of land — a very precious
item of account since it meant home and all — they promptly and wisely
constituted themselves law-makers, judges, and executors of the law.
From what has gone before we have learned how they discharged the
two former functions ; and after we have gleaned a little light on the
latter we may dismiss this topic.

The making and expounding of law is not the most complex and
difficult part of the governmental economy. " The proof of the pud-
ding is in the eating;" and of the law in the administering. In mak-
ing a claim to land the claimant was required to establish visible limits
in some manner, as by staking out the tract, or plowing a furrow
around it ; and to make some improvement, though this was often
very slight, as evidence of good faith on his part to become an actual
settler. This " law of the place " completely barred out speculators ;
for while a man was limited, as we have seen, to a claim of half a
section, he was obliged to be a resident, though it was not essentia]
that his land should be taken in a body, for he might have separate
claims aggregating his allowance.

New-comers were often inclined to despise and defy the authority
of the Grove association, and to jump bona-fide claims. A display of

'^^2-^^^--^

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 295

public sentiment was usually all that was required to convince an
offender how hopeless was a single-handed contest with a thoroughly
organized and determined community. A committee of citizens would
wait on him and remonstrate in a firm but friendly manner, pointing
out the rights of the prior claimant and showing him his own wrong.
Very rarely would such treatment fail of the desired result, and then
only when the subject was so obdurate as not to be susceptible to the
kindlier influences, in which case nothing remained but to persuade
him with literal water baptism for temporal purposes. The people
were concerned in the preservation of peace and good order, and the
practice of justice ; but human nature being the same in all classes,
climes, and ages, they could not escape the necessity of sustaining
their home-made laws against the usual license and infraction ; and
there is no reason to doubt that a great variety of devices, ingenious
and sometimes violent, were brought into requisition first by one side
in the commission of wrong, and then by the other in undoing and
correcting it.

A grotesque occurrenc^ xhibiting the spirit of the people, took
place soon after the lai came into market. A poor man named
Anderson lived on a " forty " at Perkins' Grove. Perkins having a
spite against him, as subsequently appeared, interested a stage agent
at Dixon by the name of Bull to enter Anderson's homestead. At
once all except the moving cause became known ; and with calm, de-
cided purpose the citizens collected one night about sundown at Rocky
Ford, to the number of seventy-five, and turning their backs upon the
illumination of a big bonfire as the shades of evening began to thicken,
they marched all night with resolute tread for Dixon. Sherifi" Camp-
bell lived a mile or two out of the town, and they took the trouble to
call at his house and inform him of the object of the expedition, and
to assure him that there was no intention to raise a riot or inflict per-
sonal injury. The design was to enter Dixon before the people should
be up and stirring about much, to take Bull prisoner, depart to a con-
venient place, and demand of him a conveyance of the land to Ander-
son. The aifair was well planned and executed. Just as day was
breaking the motley cavalcade filed into the sleepy town and sur-
rounded the hotel. One of the strongest in the crowd had been de-
tailed to wait in the bar-room until he should make his appearance.
Presently Bull entered and stepped behind the bar ; no sooner had he
done this than he was vigorously seized, but being also a strong man,
and having the advantage of the counter, he was able to maintain a
successful resistance until two more men were sent to the assistance of
the first, when he was brought out promptly, thrown into the wagon,
and driven off. The colored waiter, alarmed at the proceeding, leaped
18

296 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

into the street and rushed through the town, brandishing a big butcher
knife and shouting " murder ! " The commotion brought the people
out in sudden amazement and in all states of dress, and tarrying only-
long enough to grasp their weapons they started in hot pursuit on
foot, mounted and in wagons. The party with the prisoner were
soon overtaken, and the pursuers, in ignorance of their real design,
made so excited and hostile a demonstration as to threaten imminent
danger of bloodshed. At first Bull himself was not a little terrified,
and implored an explanation ; being told his offense he was speedily
relieved, and able to convince the people that it was not through any
improper motive that he had entered Anderson's land, and that he
would at once cheerfully make it over to him. On reaching Sheriff
Campbell's a circle was formed to keep back the Dixonites, Bull
placed in the ring, and the preliminaries concluded by which Campbell
became surety for the performance of Bull's agreement to convey the
land to Anderson on terms of no small advantage to the latter. This
was in the spring of 1815, and was one of the most notable exploits
under the old regime.

BANDITTI.
The boldest creations of romance are little more than feeble imita-
tions of the actual. As an illustration of this the system of organized
crime which inclosed this region from 1813 to 1850 is an example
without a parallel. The history of the western country in the early
stages of settlement is checkered with graceless characters who have
prosecuted their desperate designs against the peace and safety
of society, singly and in gangs ; but no other band, we think,
was so successful in inveigling into its toils an equal number
of confederates, distributed over the land, scattered through every
neighborhood, whose operations were so adroit and connections so
skillfully concealed, and who secreted stolen property, counterfeited
money, and harbored red-handed criminals with such clandestine suc-
cess as to make the keenest vigilance for a while appear like a drowsy
god. The Green River bottoms in places were gloomy, tangled, un-
known swamps, which even the most curious and adventuresome hunters
had not explored. The immense Inlet swamp, and the larger Gi'een
River swamp in the southwest corner of the county and the north part
of Bureau, were tr3'sting-places for the outlaws. Deep forests and
rank vegetation covered them. The latter, a sink and den of horrors,
was skirted by low and rambling hills, whose winding ravines were
passes in all directions. The sparseness of population was also favora-
ble to the commission of crime and the escape of criminals. Hiding-
places were convenient and numerous. A man found no difficulty in
secreting himself in the tall grass in low places. The rider who pene-

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 297

trated the groves and marshes could elude pursuit; besides, friends un-
known as accomplices, except to the robbers themselves, kept watch
for their companions, communicated information to them, hid and pro-
tected, fed and warmed them and shared their plunder; and througli a
period of long-standing danger and excitement were able to defy
detection by the people, who were paralyzed with wonder and alarm
at the boldness and frequency of the crimes committed. Mj'sterious
sights and discoveries went unexplained. Strangers on foot, sometimes
mounted, of singular or suspicious appearance, now with bushy whis-
kers and long hair, wearing slouch hats, suggesting dark and dangerous
freebooters, again clad in spruce outfit, with tall beaver hats, and canes
in hand, would be seen passing through the settlement. Children
otten came home with stories of such men seen when driving up the
cows at night. Faint trails were discovered, and secluded spots where
animals had been fed and men had lounged while waiting; and at un-
usual hours of night and in uncommon places the neighing of horses
made women shudder, as they thought of the bandits at their work.

Horse-stealing was but a recreation. Counterfeiting served well the
purpose to absorb idle hours. Atrocious murder, blood-curdling and
cruel, was committed and expiated on the scaffold without a sign of re-
gret by these hardened men. People locked their stables, barricaded
their doors, and placed their weapons within reach for instant use, not
knowing what dreadful tragedy they might be actors in before morn-
ing. Public helplessness to ferret out and bring to punishment the
ruffians who set at naught every form and semblance of law destroyed
all sense of security. Suspicions were directed against some, and
whispered about; others were so vague that no man dared more than
entertain them. Men stood in doubt, if not in dread, of neiglibors,
and no one could deny that a strange thrill pervaded his consciousness
as if every man's hand was against him.

This gigantic crime against the state is adequately trcated of else-
where, and we are confined, perforce, to a relation of the local efforts
made for its suppression. The operations of the gang embraced the
whole Mississippi valley, but its depredations in this region were suf-
ficiently startling to awaken among the people and keep in constant
activity the liveliest apprehensions.

Among the most daring of these were the robbery of Mulford in
Ogle county ; McKinney, at Rockford ; Miller, at Troy Grove ; George
E. Haskell, at Inlet ; the plot against the Dixon land office and the
robbery of Frink, Walker & Go's stage ; the murder of Campbell,
"captain of the vigilance committee " in Ogle county, by three of tlie
desperadoes, two of whom, the Driscolls, were promptly lynched ; find
the shocking murder of Col. Davenport at Rock Island, July 4, 1845.

298 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

The active vigilance and cooperation of the whole community be-
came immediately necessary. An attempted robbery near Inlet Grove
implicated two of the principal citizens of the place, one of whom was
the magistrate. These were arrested, and at the spring term of the
Lee county circuit court convicted and sentenced to three years' im-
prisonment in the penitentiar\\ Both died before the expiration of
their term. Soon after the arrest of these men, in the autumn of
1844, Charles West, another citizen of Inlet Grove (who was also the
constable), was suspected of the robbery of the peddler Miller, at Troy
Grove, and search being made some of the goods were found in his
house. He was examined and committed for trial, but turned state's
evidence and made what purported to be a full disclosure. His con-
fession led to a number of searches and arrests, and considerable stolen
property was recovered. Goods having been found in the house of an-
other leading man at Inlet Grove, he was arrested (June 1845) and
sent to the penitentiary for two years, but was pardoned and set at
libcrt}^ after a few months. He had had a horse stolen, and while de-
njnng any active participation in the robberies, or having profited by
them, he accounted for his guilty knowledge by confessing that the
brigands had proposed to return his horse as an equivalent for his
friendship, and that in his anxiety to obtain his property he had al-
lowed himself to become criminally associated with them. He denied all
knowledge of the goods found in his house; and it was and still is the
belief that his wife and step-son were far more deeply involved than
he. There were strong presumptions in his favor regarding the degree
of his complicity, which led to his pardon. One of the methods by
which the ringleaders extended their organization was to rob a man,
then work on his sensibilities in this manner, and after he had once
yielded in the least measure it was an easy matter to terrify the victim
into their ranks by threats of exposure.

Close upon these surprising developments at Inlet Grove the peo-
ple organized themselves into a body, styled "An Association for
Furthering the Cause of Justice," and adopted a constitution, the pre-
amble to which explains their motives and the necessity for their
action. We acknowledge again our obligations to Mr. Ira Brewer for
the original document, together with some resolutions and other pro-
ceedings relating to the subject.

" Whereas, Sundry depredations have been committed upon the
property of the citizens of this vicinity from time to time, and ap-
pearances have plainly shown that Inlet Grove has been a resting-place
and depot for the numerous rogues that infest the country ; and where-
as it has now become a settled point in our belief that there are those
about us who are not only willing to aid and succor the thief that

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 299

passes through in the hour of darkness with his ill-gotten booty, but
also to receive it at his hands and to share the spoils; and whereas,
from the peculiar character of our country, and the numbers associated
in the shape of banditti, it has been heretofore and is still diflScult for
the officers of justice, with the individual assistance of the person
robbed or suffering at their hands, to bring the offenders to justice;
therefore we, the undersigned, have agreed to form ourselves into an
association for the purpose of aiding any man that unites with us in
attempting to regain his property unlawfully taken, to protect our-
selves from all incursions of a villainous character, to assist the officers
of justice in taking rogues of all descriptions, and as much as may be
to assist each other in maintaining good order in society, by keeping a
constant look-out for all persons of a suspicious character, and we ac-
cordingly pledge ourselves to each other to mutually exert ourselves as
far as we are able to counteract the evils enumerated, as well as to
bring about the good proposed."

After providing for the customary offices of president, secretary and
treasurer, and prescribing their duties, this instrument declares that a
vigilance committee shall be appointed by the presiding officer, and
defines it to be their duty " to receive from any member of the associ-
ation any information relating to unlawful depredations made at any
time upon the person or property of our members, and to report it
forthwith to a person selected as chairman of said committee, whose
duty it shall be to act in behalf of the society by communicating the
information immediately to the officers of justice, and to obej' any in-
struction which may hereafter be given him by the association. The
said committee shall elect said chairman, to be known to no one but
themselves and the officers of justice; and he shall make his commu-
nications to the said officers of justice as secretly as possible, in order
to avoid the escape of a criminal or of persons suspected. Any mem-
ber of the vigilance committee may report immediately to the officers
of justice if he deem it advisable.

"Article Fifth : A set of runners shall be appointed by the vigilance
committee whose duty it shall be to start immediately in all directions
that it may be supposed a rogue has gone, whenever anything shall
appear to have been feloniously taken, or any mischief done to the
property of our associated members, and to make all necessary
search." Funds were to be raised by the subscription of members, and
it is declared that they " shall consider themselves bound, by their sub-
scribing to this constitution, to pay * * ^ as much as if they had
given their note for value received," and they pledge themselves to pay
to the treasurer on his demand as the vigilance committee require from
time to time.

300 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

"Article Seventh. — We do hereby pledge ourselves mutually to do
all in our power for the detection of all rogues ; that we will be vigi-
lant, and whenever any suspicious person shall be around will forth-
with report him ; whenever an}' property shall appear under suspicious
circumstances, will give information respecting the same, either to a
member of our vigilance committee or directly to the officers of
justice; and will do all in our power consistently with our circum-
stances in life to make any sufi'erer hereafter from their attacks as good
as before.

" Article Eighth. — Any person who is not of a suspicious character
may become a member of this association by signing the constitution ;
but if objections are made to him at the time of joining by any
member, he shall be admitted only by a vote of the association, the
majority at all times ruling."

In spite of their precautions it is said they did not succeed in keep-
ing their ranks free from emissaries of the band, who thus got due
apprisal of much that was going on. The expulsion of any member
who should aid or countenance the outlaws was declared among the
powers of the association, with the supplemental provision that he
should " share his fate with them." The chairman of the vigilance
committee was to be selected by that committee from the members of
the association, and was to be " known to no one but themselves and
the officers of justice." Meetings were to be held yearly for the election
of officers, and extra meetings were to be called by the vigilance com-
mittee, each of whom was to " take his share of notifying members of
the association."

"Article Twelfth. — We do hereby agree that our premises and
buildings shall at all times be open and ready for search for missing
property, and that any member of our vigilance committee shall at
any time have liberty to search us our possessions without any legal
process; and whenever we find any person unwilling to admit such
search, the person so refusing it shall be considered suspicious, and legal
measures shall be taken forthwith to search him and his premises, and
he shall forfeit his membership in the association."

This constitution was adopted November 4, 184i, and seventy-two
well known citizens attached their signatures. Moses Crombie was
elected president, Ira Brewer clerk, and George E. Haskell treasurer.
The president appointed the following vigilance committee; Corydon
R. Dewey, Sherman Shaw, George R. Linn, C. I. Hitchcock, Sylvanus
Peterson, G. A. Ingalls, Harmon Wasson, and John C. Church. Some
resolutions were passed referring to the disclosures made by the detec-
tion of the first two offenders arrested at Inlet, pronouncing judgment
upon the guilty ; and also declaring the future course of the associa-

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 301

tion toward all who should be found in criminal attitude. It is possi-
ble now to remark only in general terms that the association rendered
valuable service in the enforcement of the laws, and the final suppression
of the band. The reader is hy this time acquainted with the end pro-
posed, and the means and methods adopted to accomplish it, and in the
absence of detailed information it is enough to say that the sanguine
aims of the organization were completely and speedily realized. The
straggling records before us show that about the first of June, 1845,
the community was thrown into fresh commotion, for on the 7th a
meeting was held and George E. Haskell, C. I. Hitchcock and C, R.
Dewey were appointed to report resolutions, which were accepted and
laid over for consideration to an adjourned meeting of the 10th.
These show that on the 6th one of the leading bandits was in the set-
tlement, and it is charged that "it is confidently believed that

had a conference yesterday with the thief that passed through

the grove," and warning him to beware of the wrath of the people.
This was probably when they surrounded and beat up the grove for
Fox (or Birch) and the audacious outlaw in gentlemanly garb and
with walking-stick in hand coolly passed two citizens on the highway
who were stationed to intercept him and prevent his escape. They
did not recognize him, and were so thoughtless as not to detain him.
On another occasion one of the gang, riding a stolen horse, was
chased into the grove ; but he escaped and left the people balancing
between excitement and disappointment.

The last person arrested in the neighborhood and convicted was the
one referred to in the resolution, and it was only a few days afterward
that he was taken in custody. West's confession, we find, has brought
him into danger from another quarter, for the association declare that
" it is well known that the life of Charles West has been threatened,"
but " we are determined to protect the said Charles West at all events,
and that if his life is taken we will take measures to avenge his death,"
and much more on the same point. They dedicate themselves to more
efficient work by proposing to improve their communication with the
people of Dixon and the settlements at the groves, and thus increase
the facilities for arousing the country quickly; to appoint a special mes-
senger to assist I^in giving immediate notice to the members in an
emergency, and by instructing the vigilance committee to meet forth-
with to prepare "for the summer campaign," and to continue their
meetings frequently and regularly.

Here, as in all assemblies, men advocated moderate or extreme
measures, according as they were of radical or conservative temper.
The resolutions in question bear marks of a threatening impatience, and
we should not have been surprised if after having been so mucli liarried

302 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

with dangers and apprehensions the people had put their denunciations
in more impetuous words. Dr. Adams, a prominent member, and, by the
way, a democrat, whose inflammable nature needed not such fuel as the
situation furnished, advocated the resolutions in a strong speech, and
proclaimed himself in favor of hunting the brigands like wolves. The
Rev. John Cross, than whom no milder mannered man broke the bread
of life, opposed these views in a neat and softening speech, deprecating
violence, and expressing hope that the people would preserve their
reputation for obeying the laws. Dr. Adams arose to reply, with fiery
indignation stamped on every feature. In a bitter retort he reminded
the reverend gentleman that he might be a consistent stickler for the
law if he would give absolutely none of his time to running oif negroes
on the underground railroad. The range was close, the shot deadl}^,
and the preacher could not recover. The resolutions passed.

This organization was a necessity of the time, and the only feasible
adjunct to the arm of the law, which, without its aid, was utterly
powerless. It numbered in its ranks all the better citizens, who ad-
dressed themselves with energy and resolution to the business of pro-
tecting the community from theft and murder. The execution of the
Hodges, the Longs, and Young, crushed the head of the anaconda.
Alarms ceased, and peace reigned once more.

ORGANIZATION.

Lee county adopted township organization in 1849, and the first
election under this new form of local government was in the following
spring. Anterior to this date Amboy was divided between the flank-
ing precincts on the east and the west. When the township was
christened a number of names were proposed, but none gave satisfac-
tion until Miles Lewis suggested the name of Amboy, which was I'e-
ceived with unanimous favor, and adopted. The first annual town
meeting was held on Tuesday, April 2; Joseph Farwell presided as
moderator, and Joseph B. Appleton Avas elected clerk. Polling ]>laces
were at school-houses and private residences until Amboy was built,
when the town meetings were for several years held in Farwell Hall.
John Dexter was an early magistrate. His w-ay of doing business was
not uncommon in his day on the border, but appears novel to his suc-
cessors of this period. Complaint had been made against a man for
assault and batterj^, and he fined him three dollars; the constable whis-
pered in the justice's ear, when he said he would change the fine, and
imposed that amount on each the complainant and the defendant, and
divided the costs between them.

The subjoined list of township officers does not include the whole
number, but the principal ones that can be made out from the records
and other sources with certainty :

AMBOY TOWNSHIP.

303

SUPERVISOR.

TOWN CLERK.

ASSESSOR.

COLLECTOR.

1850.

David Searles.

J. B. Appleton.

Martin Wright.

A.H.Thompson.

1851.

David Searles.

J. B. Appleton.

Cyrus Bridgman.

A. H. Thompson.

1853.

Moses Lathe.

J. B. Appleton.

Lot Chadwick.

A. H.Thompson.

1853.

F. R. Dutcher.

James Andruss.

E. M. Blair.

A. H.Thompsoti.

1854.

Simon Badger.

J. B. Appleion.

A. H. Thompson.

Zanthe Reed.

1855.

J. B. Appleton.

J. M. Davis.

Stephen Stone.

Julius Hale.

1856.

H. Wasson.
H. E. Badger.

1857.

Josiah Little.

Cyrus Bridgman.

W. B. Andruss.

1858.

H. E. Badger.

C. D. Vaughan.

Cyrus Bi-idgman.

W. B. Andruss.

1859.

H. E. Badger.

C. D. Vaughan.

J. M. Davis.

W. B. Andruss.

1860.

H. E. Badger.

C. D. Vaughan.

J. M. Davis.

W. B. Andruss.

1861.

J. M. Davis.

C. D. Vaughan.

Simon Badger.

C. D. Sears.

1862.

Josiah Little.

C. D. Vaughan.

D. H. Crocker.

Isaac Edwards.

1863.

Josiah Little.

W. B. Andruss.

C. D. Sears.

J. E. Whiting.

1864.

H. E. Badger.

W. B. Andruss.

C. D. Sears.

J. C. Church.

1865.

H. E. Badger.

W. B. Andruss.

CD. Sears.

Isaac Edwards.

1866.

H. E. Badger.

W. B. Andruss.

J. C. Church.

J. S. Baker.

1867.

H. E. Badger.

W. B. Andruss.

David Crocker.

E. P. Walker.

1868.

Isaac Edwards.

Chas. P. Ives.

Lee Cronkrite.

Chas. W. Bell.

1869.

Isaac Edwards.

Chas. P. Ives,

Lee Cronkrite.

E. E. Chase.

1870.

F. R. Dutcher.

Chas. P. Ives.

D. H. Crocker.

Michael Carroll.

1871.

Chester Badger.

J. T. Tait.

D. H. Crocker.

J. R. Patterson.

1873.

F. R. Dutcher.

J. T. Tait.

D. H. Crocker.

0. F. Warriner.

1873.

Chester Badger.

C. E. Ives.

D. H. Crocker.

M. Carroll.

1874.

Chester Badger.

C. E. Ives.

D. H. Crocker.

M. Carroll.

1875.

Chester Badger.

C. E. Ives.

D. H. Crocker.

Ira Smith.

1876.

Chester Badger.

C. E. Ives.

Lee Cronkrite.

E. E. Chase.

1877.

Chester Badger.

W. P. Barnes.

Lee Cronkrite.

Isaac Edwards.

1878.

Isaac Edwards.

D. F. Strickland.

Lee Cronkrite.

Oscar Spangler.

1879.

Isaac Edwards.

L. L. Staup.

Lee Cronkrite.

Ira Smith.

1880.

Isaac Edwards.

James Mead.

Lee Cronkrite.

N. B. Koontz.

1881.

Isaac Edwards.

Geo. Kiefer.

Lee Cronkrite.

W. J. Edwards.

Badger and Ives resigned in December 1874, and Channey D.
Sears and James T. Tait were appointed to the respective vacancies.
Again in April following they resigned their offices. In both cases
these resignations were owing to complications of the township arising
from certain outstanding railroad bonds.

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.

The first road laid through the township connected Grand de Tour
and Peru; the second one ran from Inlet Grove to Prophetstown,
Binghamton and Rocky Ford lying on the route. Main street in
Amboy is identical with it, and the large cottonwood trees which flank
it to the right and left of the Congregational church were planted by
the hand of Joseph Farwell to mark its course.

Tiie old Central railroad, on which the state in a craz}^ freak squan-
dered over a million dollars, was surveyed and partly built through this
township. The charter was first granted to Darius B. Holbrook, but be-
fore he had organized a company the legislature repealed it, and included

304 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

this work in tlie system of public improvements undertaken by the state
in 1836-7. After the public credit lailed he obtained a renewal of Lis
charter, with a grant of all the work that had been done. Dr. Harri-
son, of Peru, took a contract to build part of the line, and sent a force
of laborers here in the fall of 1841 to renew the grading which had
been begun four or five years before and worked upon at intervals after-
ward. He started a bank in Peru and issued circulation ; but one day
somebody went down and demanded specie for his paper, and was re-
fused. When news of this reached the gang of men up here they
dropped their tools, and the sun never rose on a resumption of the
work. Harrison's paper was in the hands of people in this section,
where it has remained so long that its " staying qualities " are fully and
forever established. It was known as "Bangs' railroad money," and
is a reminiscence of "wildcat" banking, and of the old Central
"wildcat" improvement. Remains of the old work are yet visible.

The only resemblance ever borne b}^ the present Central railroad to
the former was in the name. Stephen A. Douglas procured the re-
lease of Holbrook's charter, and was the author of the measure which
brought this grand enterprise into successful existence. Congress
passed the bill in 1850, and the next Mdnter the Illinois legislature in-
corporated the company. The survey was completed in 1851, and the
succeeding year construction began. The division from Mcndota to
Freeport was formally opened for traffic February 1, 1855. The first
train reached Amboy earl}' in November 1854.

The construction of the Chicago, Araboy & Upper Mississippi
railroad was loudly agitated at one time; a charter was procured and
the survey direct from Amboy to Chicago made in 1856, under the
direction of Col. P. B. Mason. No stock was taken and the under-
taking failed. But direct communication with Chicago was an object
having many attractions, and was sure some time to furnish the
triumphant argument for a road. The situation was improved when,
at the session of 1868-9, Alonzo Kinyon, a member of the legislature
from Lee county, obtained from that body a charter for the Chicago
& Rock River railroad, which was to extend east from Rock Falls
and intersect the Central at Calumet. On the organization of the
company in May 1869, Mr. Kinyon was elected president. Amboy
township was asked to take stock in the road to the amount of $100,000,
and on July 26, 1869, voted to do so, palling 517 votes in favor of the
proposition, to 92 against it. On March 30, 1870, the contract for
building the road was awarded to a New York company. It was to
be finished by the 1st of January following; but on July 28, the work
having made little headway, the contractor was relieved at his own
request, and the construction relet to Hinckley & Co. Still little was

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 305

done, and in September it was announced that Messrs. Wicker, Mick-
lin & Co., of Chicago, had contracted to complete the road within a
year, from Calumet to Rock Falls, and within two years from Amboy
to Bureau Junction. The last rail was laid between Amboy and Rock
Falls January 4, 1872 ; and on Wednesday, June 19, the road was
finished to Paw Paw. Some of the towns between Amboy and Rock
Falls that had voted to take stock failed, when that division of the
road was built, to transfer their bonds ; and on the election of the new
board in January, the contractors, holding the larger amount of stock,
were able to reorganize the board of directors to suit their purposes.
This board, in June, sold the first mortgage bonds to the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. In July it was decided
to extend the time for the completion of the road one year, and in the
meantime to make temporary connection with the Chicago & Iowa
railroad at Shabbona. To the people of Amboy this was the certain
knell of all their hopes, for it told in action, which is said to speak
plainer than words, that the road was a failure, that it would not be
completed as originally proposed. But Amboy had shouldered the
elephant by delivering the bonds. She enjoyed a season of great ex-
pectations, thinking that the headquarters of the company would be
established here, and dreaming of machine shops, and how Amboy
was to become a city of furnaces and forges; for all this had been
guaranteed in the language of the most eloquent promises. The pic-
ture was dazzling.

The first regular passenger train went over the road Wednesday,
October 16, 1872. The road now connects with the trunk line at

Sandwich.

SCHOOLS.

The first school-house in Amboy township was built of logs in the
year 1839, and situated on the Sublette road, just south of the railroad
crossing. Lucy Ann Church was the first teacher. Men were employed
in winter and women in summer. Leonard Pratt, John Carey, Ira Hale,
David Hale and Charlotte Doan taught in this house. After the Wasson
school-house, the second in the township, and a frame building, was
erected in 1845, the former was moved farther south and put up near
the Lewis homestead. Here Roena Badger and Roxy Wasson taught for
many years, and they seemed, in fact, to be the principal dependence of
the community for summer teachers. John Scott, an able pedagogue,
who died afterward in California, taught first in the Wasson district.
The Misses Badger and Wasson, H. E. Badger and Lyman C. Wheat
were also early teachers in the same place. John C. Church, who was a
director, tells an anecdote on himself with considerable relish. He had
hired Wheat to teach, and the latter, as a matter of course, invited

306 HISTORY OF LEE BOUNTY. '

him to visit the schooL Church replied in his positive way: "I hired
you to keep the school, and now I want you to do it." But, passing one
afternoon on his way home from Binghampton, he thought he would
drop in to see how teacher and pupils were getting on. The grammar
class was called, and a book was politely handed him. Kow, Mr.
Church never studied grammar but half a day in his whole life ; but he
made immense progress in that short time. It used to be the case that
the less one had studied grammar the more positive he was that it was
of no utility, and in order to respect his positiveness he had to convince
himself that he knew a good deal on the subject. But not so with a
ready learner like Mr, Church. That half-day's ramble wnth Lindley
Murray among nouns and pronouns and their fellows of speech had
disclosed imponderable mysteries to his view ; but he still has a lurk-
ing recollection that the subject was "dry." The teacher and the
class got into a protracted dispute involving some question on the
lesson, and to settle it the former appealed to Mr. Church, whose
diplomatic answer was, "You are correct; that is the way it should be
parsed." This response killed the controversy " as dead as a door nail."
That night he told "Wheat of his shrewd escape, and was complimented
no less for his foresight in avoiding the part of principal in the argu-
ment than for his ability to use all that he had learned in half a day's
study of grammar.

In an early day an irregular select school was kept at Rocky Ford.
Amboy township now comprises ten districts, and in 1879 the total
school expenditures were $8,284.

RELIGIOUS.

The frontier itinerant was a truly divine laborer. Courage and
industry were the preeminent virtues of his activity. His circuit
embraced what would now seem an incredible extent of country, and
he did well if he served all his appointments once every month. To
defy distance and weather was a regular habit. He usually traveled
on horseback, carrying, in capacious saddle-bags, a small bible, a hymn
book, and a homely luncheon. Often he would ride thirty miles to
preach a funeral sermon, and forty or fifty to marry a couple for three
dollars. But he did not scorn privations and overcome obstacles for
money ; it w^as a pleasure to be about his Master's work. He grew
strong in view of the great field and the waiting harvest, and his soul
was animated by the simple joy and hearty salutations which the warm
hearts of the people always expressed at his coming. But before cir-
cuits were formed the zealous messengers of the truth rode through
the wilderness visiting the scattered settlements and carrying the heal-
ing news of the Good Shepherd. His arrival was the signal for word

AMBOY TOWKSHEP. 30T

to go forth like a swift joy in every direction to summon together the
hungry souls. Meetings were held in the cabins, and in God's first
temples, the groves. On these occasions full hearts rendered thanks
to God for the preservation of life and health of the minister of peace,
and the hardy settlers from the abounding dangers of the exposed
frontier, and appealed in earnest invocations for his continued grace
and precious mercy, and deliverance from the distemper of the soul —
sin. Then, with the service over, he departed on his rugged journey,
refreshed with the hospitality of his full-souled entertainers, and laden
with the provisions which the thoughtful housewife had prepared for
his comfort, bearing on his head their blessings, and followed by silent
prayers for his safety and return.

The first minister around whom the early settlers gathered for
gospel instruction was Father Gorbus, a Methodist preacher well ad-
vanced in years, who came from Indian creek. At this early period
denominations exerted no influence; congregations were composed of
every sect and those who represented no sect, all feeling and acknowl-
edging a common necessity for worship. Father Gorbus received his
pay in provisions, such as potatoes, and meat, and flour.

Money was not plentiful. It was a commodity little seen, and for
many years commanded an annual rate not less than twenty-flve per cent.

As an instance of the dearness of money and the cheapness of
stock, produce, and labor, F. H. Northway says he tried to redeem his
note for $3.75, in the hands of a neighbor, by oflering a yearling steer,
two shoats weighing 125 pounds each, and two days' work. This was
declined, and he was sued.

A German Baptist, Father Hetchler, came very early, perhaps was
next to Father Gorbus. It is thought that Rev. Curtis Lathrop, a
Methodist, was the third, and that Father White, another Methodist, was
the fourth; but regarding order we do not profess any certainty.
Elder DeWolf was an educated Episcopalian, who settled on the Chi-
cago road, between Dixon and Inlet Grove, but after a few years re-
turned to the east. In 1843 the Rev. Donaldson, from Dover, who
preached here at times, assisted in organizing the first Congregational
church in Lee county, at the house of Deacon Moses Crombie. This
was called the " Congregational Church of Palestine Grove," and the
members worshiped several years at the Wasson school-house. The
Rev. John Morrell, the first pastor, was followed by the Rev. Inger-
soll (father of Col. Robert G. Ingersoll), and he was succeeded by the
Rev. Joseph Gardiner and the Rev. Mr. Pierson. About 1849 this
congregation removed its place of worship to Lee Center, and changed
the name of the society to that of the new locality. From this the
present Amboy society has descended. What is known of the first

308 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Methodist society is recorded in the sketch of Binghainton. Another
very early organization was the Palestine Grove Baptist church, but
we are not able to state what year it took regular form. The Rev.
Charles Cross, now living in Aniboy township, became the regular pastor
in 1847, and tilled the pulpit some time. The membership was located
on both sides of the grove, and when Amboy and Sublette were built the
societv naturally broke in two, and the parts gravitated to these towns.
The records were retained by the Sublette division.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints obtained a foot-
hold and a large membership at an early date. The first preacher to
come was William Anderson, who got permission to preach in John
Hook's house. Traveling preachers came along at intervals, and some-
thing of a band was formed, which grew to considerable proportions in
a short while. Any reference to this sect will lead us to tell the story of
the prophet's arrest in this township. His wife, before luarriage, was
Emma Hale, sister to Alva Hale, of Sublette, and David Hale and
Mrs. Benjamin Wasson, of Amboy. In the community were acquaint-
ances of Smith's boyhood, and one at least. Uncle Asa Searles, had
been a school-fellow. Occasionally Smith visited his friends in the
vicinity of Palestine Grove, and the presence of his followers, who
numbered some of t|ie most respectable families, made his journeys here
doubly pleasurable. At such times he always preached, and the people
came to the log school-house situated on the Sublette road, a few rods
south of where the railroad is, to listen to his vehement oratory.
It is more than probable that his visits were prompted by other motives
than pleasure and duty, for when the saints were driven in vengeance
from Missouri, the leaders, including the prophet, were tried before a
drnm-head court-martial and sentenced to be shot for treason, but were
saved from this mobbish proceeding by the humane intervention of
Gen. Doniphan, who afterward became justly celebrated for his brilliant
achievements during the Mexican war. These men were held in
custody for trial, on charges of theft, arson, treason and murder, but
escaped and came to Nauvoo. In the autumn of 1841 the govei-norof
Missouri made a requisition on Gov. Carlin, of this state, for the deliv-
ery of the fugitives. A writ was issued, but being soon after returned
unexecuted. Gov. Carlin again ]ilaced it in the hands of an officer, and
Smith was this time arrested. He was taken before Judge Douglas,
who was then sitting on the supreme bench, and discharged upon a writ
of habeas corpus, "upon the gi'ound that the writ upon which he had
been arrested had been once returned before it was executed, and was
functus officio." The next year the governor issued a new writ, and
"Smith was arrested again, and was either rescued by his followers or
discharged by the municipal court [a Mormon tribunal] on a writ of

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 309

habeas corpus." In his " History of Illinois," Gov. Ford has given a
circumstantial relation of these arrests, and we follow his account, in-
jecting such further particulars as we have reason to believe are authen-
tic. In June, 1843, the governor of Missouri renewed his demand for
the arrest and surrender of Smith, and accordingly " a new warrant,
in pui'suance of the constitution of the United States, was issued, and
placed in the hands of a constable in Hancock. This constable and
the Missouri agent hastened to ISTauvoo to make the arrest, where
the}' ascertained that Joe Smith was on a visit to Rock river.
They pursued him thither, and succeeded in arresting him in
Palestine Grove, in the count}' of Lee." Mrs. Smith was here visiting
her relations, and the prophet, as was natural for him to do, had juined
her, and had spoken once at the log school-house, in a Sunday discussion
with a Methodist preacher named Headly, regarding the authenticity
of the " Book of Mormon." The next day he was called upon by
these two men, and on being told that they had a warrant for him, he
forcibly undertook to contest their ability to make him prisoner. " He
was full six feet high, strongly built, and uncommonly well muscled,"
and with the two united against him the struggle that followed was a
desperate one. He was at length overpowered, but not till all had re-
ceived bruises enough to show that each had been in the ' thickest of
the fight.' "

This episode occasioned the wildest excitement ; the people sus-
pected the legality of the arrest, and were not sure that it was not a
ruse to get him away where he could be made the victim of insult and
violence. A crowd followed to Dixon to insure fair play, and finally
consented for the captors to depart with their prisoner without oppo-
sition. "The constable immediately delivered his prisoner to the
Missouri agent, and returned his warrant as having been executed.
The agent started with his prisoner in the direction of Missouri, but
on the road was met by a number of armed Mormons, who captured
the whole party, and conducted them in the direction of ISTauvoo.
Further on they were met by hundreds of the Mormons, coming to
the rescue of their prophet, who conducted him in grand triumph to
his own city." A writ of habeas corpus was sued out of the municipal
court " composed of Joe Smith's tools and particular friends," and by
this court he was discharged. A year later he and his brother Hiram
were basely murdered by an infuriated and cowardly mob; and as soon
as the twelve apostles who were absent on missionary work, could
return, they, with Brigham Young at their head, usurped the govern-
ment of the church. Numbers of Smith's followers had become dis-
aifected before his death ; the ranks of these were now augmented by
considerable accessions, and a schism of no little importance was the

310 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

result. Many of those who withdrew had to make their escape secret-
ly to save their property, and they formed the nucleus of the reorgan-
ized church, which abjures polygamy. By these the claim is made
that the prophet was not a patron of spiritual wifeism, but this is not
to be at once admitted.

Aaron Hook, who had lived at Nauvoo and been ordained an elder,
returned to Rocky Ford to take up his residence; he sometimes
preached, and was an influential man among those of his faith. About
the time of the hegira to Salt Lake, William Smith, a brother to the
prophet, caime among the saints at the Ford and organized a branch.
He claimed to be a I'epresentative of the younger Joseph, son of the
prophet and a mere lad, and that it was his duty to rule and direct the
people uiitil the latter should assume the first place, or prophetship, in
the church. Smith remained here awhile preaching and extending his
congregation until it numbered no fewer than sixty souls. The com-
pany was swelled by arrivals from Ohio and other places. Aaron
Hook fitted up his house with a hall which was used for their services.
They laid out a town on the ridge north of Rocky Ford, and at one
time there was talk of building a temple, but the conception was never
carried out. In course of time Smith got into bad odor with outsiders,
and was once arrested for bigamy, but was not convicted, and in a
little while he removed to other parts. The branch he had established
lost its energy after his departure. Besides the Hooks, Edwin Cadwell
who came to the township in 1848, and is still living here, has been a
leading and respected Mormon. Wentworth Blair, Stephen Stone
and his fiither, and David L. Doan belong to the same category.

The further history of the sect in this place is uneventful until the
year 1860, when, on April 6, the anniversary of the founding of the
church, the annual conference assembled in Amboy, with representa-
tives from the different branches in Iowa, Michigan, and this state ;
and Joseph Smith, jr., of Piano, was solemnly installed prophet and
high priest in the old Mechanics' hall. Two conferences are held
annually; for several years the spring gathering met at Amboy and
the autumnal meeting in Iowa. Conversions and additions to the
church have been made at different times, and the society has a mem-
bership of about forty. Joseph Smith, jr., who is a highly respected
man, resides at Piano, where the headquarters of the church are
established and the publications issued. Removal to Iowa is decided
upon for this year,

BINGHAMTON.

This town was laid out in the S.E. i of Sec. 14, T. 21 N., R. 10 E. of
the 4th P.M., in April 1848, by the proprietor, Asa B. Searles, and
named in honor of the city of that name, county seat of Broome county.

..ija!****'*''''^,

Lewis Clapp

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 311

'New York, from which county a large number of the tirst settlers in
this vicinity emigrated. Some lots were at the same time laid off on
the S.W. J of Sec. 13 for "Warren Badger as part of the town. Mr.
Searles built and kept the Binghamton House, and also erected a store
and took Edward Waters into partnership. Henry Porter bought them
out, and he in turn sold to the Union Company, a cooperative concern
run on the stock principle and conducted by James H. Preston.
While Mr. Searles was keeping public house, Pobert G. Ingersoll, the
now celebrated orator and infidel, then about sixteen years of age, was
his man-of-all-work on the premises a full year. The Ingersoll family
lived in the neighborhood three years from about 1846; the father was
Congregational minister, and he and the boys, John, Ebon and Bob,
farmed some on rented land. The latter, we are told, was a live boy,
full of fun and stories. In 1844 a flouring-mill, the first built in Lee
county, was raised here by John Dexter and the Badger brothers,
Warren and Palmer. The latter was crushed and killed by a bank of
earth falling upon him, and his place in the partnership was taken by
Chester Badger. In 1858 he (Chester) and his brother Henry pur-
chased the property, and in the following winter introduced steam
power. On Thursday night, July 18, 1872, it was burned to the
ground, and the proprietors sustained a loss of $6,000, the sum of
$8,000 being covered by insurance. It was at once rebuilt, and Chester
Badger sold his interest to H. E. Badger & Son, who operated it until
its late destruction. It was struck and set on fire by lightning in the
evening of July 21, 1881 ; the value of mill and stock was $16,000,
with an insurance of $6,000. This mill was furnished with all the
modern improvements, was run both by water and steam, and its de-
struction was not only a heavy loss to the owners, but a serious one
also to the community.

James Doan set up a plow factory, but after a year sold to Freder-
ick Bainter; and in 1846 another was started by the Shaws and
Churches. In 1851 H. E. Badger entered into partnership with
Bainter, but they soon dissolved, and the next year the manufacture
was continued by Henry and Chester Badger, while Bainter carried on
another shop. In 1854 James Dexter built a saw-mill. David Crocker
and David Searles, partners, and Warren Badger were storekeepers not
before mentioned. Besides the " Binghamton," there was another
place of public entertainment known as the "Peed House." The
town had two custom blacksmiths, a shoemaker, one wagon shop and
a carding machine. After the mail and stage route was changed and
the postoffice removed from Shelburn to Binghamton in 1850 this
became a brisk place of trade and manufacture, whose crowded hotels
were an index of the great travel by this route.
19

812 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

About 1840 a Methodist class was organized in this settlement, and
among the original members were Joseph Doan, Curtis Bridgman,
Andrew Bainter, and their wives, and Aunt Betsy Doan. Frederick
Bainter, Joseph Lewis, Henry E. Badger and their wives were leading
members. This society was in the Lee Center circuit, and in 1851
they erected a house of worship in this town. When Amboy sprang
into existence H. E. Badger purchased the building, and another was
reared in the rising city. That was used a few years and then sold to
the district for a school-house.

Binghamton is situated a mile east of Amboy, and certainly it
was not expected that she would never languish like all old-time towns
which the modern system of travel has failed to rescue from decay, but
nevertheless she has carried herself proudly in her desolation. The
only business interest of which she is not now bereft is the plow fac-
tory of W. I. Fish, if we except the Amboy Drain Tile and Brick
.Works erected the present season by Wightwick & Stone less than half
a mile north of the place. These works represent a growing and im-
portant industry, which is destined to exercise an influence in the de-
velopment of wealth beyond all calculation. The main building is
50x100 feet, two stories high, and the facilities for burning include
four of Tiffany's patent square, down-draft kilns, all under one roof, so
arranged as to utilize the waste heat of the kiln while cooling in firing
the next. Tiff'any's Centennial Tiffany Brick and Tile Machine is the
one used for moulding, and this is propelled by a Siamese Twins Du-
plex engine of twenty-horse power. The fixtures are all of the latest
pattern, and comprise some very recent novel and valuable improve-
ments. Messrs. Wightwick & Stone intend to operate the year round
by means of steam drying in winter^ which will give their factory a
capacity of 2,000,000 tiles annually. Additions to their works are to
be made in the near future.

The first interment in the cemetery at this town was Patience, wife
of A. B. Scarles, who died December 19, 1846. The place was used
as a common burial lot until March 1856, when the Binghamton
Cemetery Association was formed, and a piece of land bought from
Mr. Searles and put under fence. Three soldiers of the late war are
buried here: Otis Bridgman, who enlisted at Amboy, May 1861, in
Co. C, 13th 111. Yols., served three years, and died of disease contracted
in the service; John Bainter, whose enlistment was the same in all
respects, was mustered out January 15, 1864, and died from the same
cause Marcli 24; and John Lewis, who enlisted in Co. G, 39tli 111. Vols.
(Yates' phalanx), at Amboy, in August 1861, served on the Peninsula
campaign, was discharged, and died November 22, 1864, of disease
contracted in the arm3\

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 313

ROCKY FORD AND SHELBURN.

This place was one of the earliest settled in the township, and for
many years was the central point of interest. The ford has made it a
crossing-place from time immemorial. The Indian trail from Council
Bluffs to Chicago crossed here ; and in the time of the Black Hawk war
the command under Maj. Stillman forded the stream at this point on
their way to gather laurels at Stillman's Run. Timothy Perkins is
generally credited with having been the first permanent settler. In
company with Horace Bowen he erected a saw-mill which passed suc-
cessively into the hands of Lee, Mason, Yan Norman, and Dutcher.
Yan Norman was a relic of the Patriot war in Canada (1836-8), where
he suffered imprisonment, but escaping in the summer of 1837 reached
Dixon. He took a contract of grading on the old Central railroad at
this point, which brought him here as a resident. The Peru and
Galena road, which passed this place, was a stage route some years,
and after the completion of the canal was a highway of heavy traffic
and travel. In 1848 Frederick Dutcher bought the property from
Daniel Mason and Horace Stump, and the next year platted the village
of Shelburn, making the creek divide it through the center. Imme-
diately on laying out the place he erected a small distillery on the
south bank, and in 1853 added a store. He was followed a year after-
ward by Jacob Doan, who put up another store. A few houses were
built, and eventually the town came to be one where a very large busi-
ness was transacted. The large fiouring-mill and distillery combined,
whose erection was begun in 1856 by the Shelburn Manufacturing
Company, of which Mr. Dutcher was president, was the main feature
which kept the place alive. The structure was built of stone, the
mill proper being 60x60 feet, four stories high, and the distillery
40x110, two and one-half stories. The dam was of masonry, and the
cost of the whole property $65,000. The late Col. Wyman was a
prominent member of this company. In 1859 an explosion threw
down part of the south wall of the building, and projected the boiler
thirty rods, landing it south of the creek. John Bentley, the engineer,
was seriously injured, and the loss was $4,000. About ten years after-
ward the building was destroyed by fire.

Postal facilities were obtained after a few years, but at first the
nearest post-office was at Dixon. Asa B. Searles was the first postmas-
ter in this township, and was appointed by Amos Kendall about 1840.
The office was kept at his house. His second incumbency was under
Polk at the time he was keeping store at Binghamton. He resigned,
and was succeeded by Warren Badger. The first north-and-south
route of travel through this section was from Galena to Peoria, via>
Dixon, but it was at 'length changed to Peru. In 1842 it became a

314 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

mail-route, and the carrier, a Dutclniian, made the trip on horseback
every week without failure during tiie year, stopping at John Hook's
Monday niglits as he went north, and Friday nights as lie went south.
The next year Frink & Walker put on a line of stages and carried the
mail, and about two years after that Andruss & Dixon started an oppo-
sition line. The Shelburn post-office was established, with Mr. Dutcher
as postmaster, but in the rivalry between this place and Binghamton
the latter procured the removal of the office, and the diversion of the
stage-route to that point. This was too mortifying to be endured, and
about as soon as it could be done the office was renewed under the
name of Equator. By the removal of buildings and loss by fire and
tlood Shelburn has Tiearly disappeared.

CITY OF AMBOY.

This embow^ered little city, second in size in Lee county, contain-
ing nearl}^ 2,500 inhabitants, is situated in the Green River valley at
the intersection of the Illinois Central and the Rock River branch of
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, and is overlooked from
north and south by beautiful stretches of country which gradually
rise to elevations of almost seventy feet. The first beginnings on the
site of this place were made in 1838 by John Sawyer, who built a
cabin on the bank of the creek; and Cyrus Davis, who erected another
just in front of where the Baptist church stands on Mason street.
Davis built the first frame house, which was begun in the fall of 1845,
and finished the next spring. This stood in the street when the town
was platted, but was moved to the east side where it is still used as a
dwelling. Sawyer sold his claim to Joseph Farwell and Joseph B.
Appleton. Farwell came in 1841 and built where Lucius Clark's resi-
dence stands on the corner of Main street and Adams avenue, and his
farm was the JST.E. ^ Sec. 22. Appleton settled here permanently in
1844, but first came as an unmarried man two or three years prior to
that date. The homestead is situated in the west part of the town. He
built the second frame house. Josiah M. Davis and his father Joel,
who settled here about 1848, lived close to the western limits.

This city is the oflspring of the Central railroad. In the early
summer of 1851 the surveying parties under the chief engineer, Ros-
well B. Mason, took their several stations on the line and immediately
began preliminary operations. T. B. Blackstone, whose name has been
given to one of the streets in the original town, had charge of the
squad emplo3'ed between Dixon and Bloomington. In December
1852 K. F. Booth, for several years afterward a resident of Amboy,
came to this place at the head of a small party whose business was to
direct the work on this part of the route. A company, distinct from

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 315

the Illinois Central Railroad Company, but composed in part, if not
wholly, of stockholders in the latter, purchased and owned the land for
the village plats along the road. They bought the Lay farm for a
depot and station two miles above here in the direction of Dixon,
which was subsequently sold to a conductor named Cole. They gave
out word that the company would erect machine shops at that point;
a few loads of stone Were hauled there, and the place named Kepatau.
If there was ever any real intention of making a station and building
shops there it was of very brief duration. H. B. Judkins came down
one day, and securing the company of a certain influential citizen, went
to Farwell, and pretending to be a returned Californian, said he want-
ed to buy a stock-farm, and a bargain was forthwith made for the
" Farwell slough farm," as old settlers had named it, for $13 per acre.
John B. "Wyman, assistant superintendent of the road, hastened to buy
out Cyrus Davis, and then Farwell was given to understand that if he
had any wish to secure himself he should lose no time in doing it,
and he accordingly purchased the farm from his son-in-law, Curtis
Bridgman. The land company made a deed of trust to Messrs.
Ketchum and Gray ; and Col. Mason, who was superintendent as well
as chief engineer of road, acted as their attorney.

In June, 1853, Michael Egan was sent to this place to commence the
mason work on the station buildings, and in the autumn of the same
year D, S. Clark was put in charge of the carpenter work. Some time
during the season Mr. Booth prepared the plans for the machine shops,
and Mr. Egan laid the foundations and pushed the construction with
his characteristic energy throughout the following winter. In the
spring the walls of the passenger house were up and the building
inclosed; in course of the summer both that and the freight house
were completed, and before winter the machine shops were in a
forward state of progress. Most of the other shops which the company
now have were built in the following year, 1855.

The year 1854 was the natal year of Amboy. In January or Feb-
ruary a Frenchman by tiie name of Meyer, under the directions of Col.
Mason, came and laid out the town, completing his survey March 24.
On July 26 the first bonds for deeds were executed, John L. Skinner
was the first purchaser of lots. He paid $600 for the northeast corner lot
on Main street and East avenue, now occupied by the Badger building.
On this he began the erection of the Orient House in the fall of 1854;
in September, 1855, it was completed, and opened to the public by
the Lee brothers, who wei'e proprietors one year under lease. Charles
W. Bell, who had been grading on the road nearly a year, in August,
1853, came here with his family and opened a boarding-house for rail-
road men in a mammoth, barn-like shanty belonging to the company,

316 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

and which had been erected near the spot where tlie Baptist church
stands. On January 21 this caught fire and burned down, but was
immediately rebuilt by the company. When Mr. Bell settled in the
place Cyrus Davis had moved away ; Appleton was on the homestead ;
Farwell was about to move, or had just moved to his new purchase ;
Alvan H. Thompson was living at his old home where Superintendent
Jacobs resides; and a transient family occupied the Davis dwelling.
These comprised the population of Amboy, which, by the way, was
not yet surveyed and christened, except some railroad employes who
could not at that time be regarded as settlers. Isaac Edwards, who
graded seven miles of the railroad, settled temporarily south of the
Inlet this year.

By the following spring K. F. Booth, D. S. Clark, and Michael
Egan were occupying residences wutli their families; and from this
time the place made rapid growth after the nervous fashion of western
towns. The " live Yankees " began to pour in, and their partiality
for the location at once decided the complexion of societ}'. All availa-
ble room was speedily secured ; every shingle covered a boarder, and
the demand for lodgings was as unfortunate as Oliver Twist's cry for
*' more." The science of storing away was grasped and learned, and
every house was crammed to its utmost capacity from ground to garret.
Boxes and trunks were piled one above another against the walls to
make room to spread the tables for meals, and for the beds upon the
floors at night. This was nearing first principles, still these people
found more pleasures than hardships, for virtuous freedom may always
be enjoyed, and never so much as when those who voluntarily come
together with a common purpose have more w^ants than privileges to
divide. " Roughing it," never unmixed with a certain excitement, had
its fascinations, and was encountered with a relish. Busy thoughts and
hands and light hearts brought health and zest to every individual,
and when people came together, as they often sought and had occasion
to do, joy and mirth were spontaneous and unconfined. Amusements
were not wanting; and though rude and simple, they served the
goodly end of recreation, and kept men from base employments.
Dancing, the favorite, was indulged with the fondness of earl}' days.
After supper was over and dusk had come, the room was cleared of
chairs and tables by piling them up out of doors, and from that time
till morning was nigh the cheerful voices of the violin and flute were
blended in the pleasing strains of the Fisher's Hornpipe, the Arkansaw
Traveler, and other familiar pieces; and Yirginia reels and other
figures were executed by never wearying feet. The already quickened
energies of the people took a new impulse in the whirl of labor and
business into which everybody plunged with an absorbing ambition

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 317

for the fruits of industry and improved opportunities. Men came
with their families, and failing to find lodgings, hastily put up rough
shanties to guard them from the weather, until more durable buildings
could be erected ; and as a matter of fact the earliest structures, though
designed to be permanent, were raised in the briefest possible time,
and were not of the most substantial character.

The original plat of the town was on the N.E. ^ Sec. 22, the Far-
well farm. Wyman's addition was next laid out on the S.W. ^ Sec. 15,
the Cyrus Davis farm, J. B. Wyman, H. C. Purple, and others, being
the proprietors. Farwell surveyed a part of his land into lots, and
Gilson & Ransom, of La Salle, bought an undivided half of Apple-
ton's land and laid off Gilson's addition. A lively strife at once ensued
among these rival interests. Wyman was selling residence property,
and having a brisk trade. The land company was disposing of busi-
ness lots on Main street and East avenue, and it seemed almost fated that
the center of trade would be in that locality. The interest of the other
parties lay in drawing the town, or an equal share of it, to the west
side. To compass this end, in the spring of 1855 Gilson & Ransom
erected the Exchange block, a large wooden structure divided into six
or seven business compartments below, and a number of offices and
dwelling-rooms above. This occupied lots Nos. 2, 3, and 4 in block
14, Gilson's addition. At the same time Farwell built the hall which
bore his name, on lot 8, block 7, north side of Division street. No
building associated with the early history of the town will call up such
a variety of recollections as Farwell hall ; for it was at once public hall,
polling place, school-house, and everybody's meeting-house. For a
while the prospects and advantages were somewhat equalized, though
there was no time when there was not an unequal rivalry.

Let us drop the growth of the business quarter long enough to
notice the erection of the earliest private houses. The two first were
built simultaneously in the summer of 1854, on the north side of Main
street, east of Mason, by L. W. Borden and E. S. Reynolds. The
latter moved into his in August. Dr. David Bainter built the third,
but claims to have been the first to move into the town after it was
platted. Mr. Reynolds makes the same claim also for himself. This
was situated on the southeast corner of Jones and Division streets, and
here Bainter & Co., oculists, aurists and Indian doctors, had their
office on the lower floor, and their art gallery on the upper one. Fol-
lowing these initial buildings others went up rapidly, the music of
saws and planes and the clangor of hammers resounding on every
street. The business prospects of the place were flattering. The rail-
road works in progress contributed generously to this progress ; and
people crowded into the town to the overflowing of accommodations.

318 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

and as a consequence rents advanced exorbitantly, and persons seek-
ing board were Ivnocking at every door. By tlie next spring the
inhabitants of the town were estimated at 1,000.

K. D. Peironett and Samuel Goldman were the first to start in
what had the semblance of mercantile business. Peironett opened a
little rough-board shop in the spring of 1854, in which he kept a small
stock of common articles; and Goldman, who had been peddling cloth-
ing through the country since 1851, set up in trade on East avenue,
somewhat later, in a shanty which a dozen men could pick up and
carry away. He became a leading citizen, and acquired a large compe-
tence; and in 1870 retired from active business and settled in Chicago,
where he died a year ago. In the spring of the same year Josiah
Little, in searching for a location, reached this place, and deciding to
make it his home, proceeded to erect a store, the first which could be
dignified with the name, on lot 8, block 3, original plat. The stone
was brought from Lee Center and the lumber from Mendota, In
October it was completed and filled with drugs, hardware and grocer-
ies. Messrs. Wilcox & Wooster built a store the same fall on the ground
now owned and occupied by L. Bourne, on East avenue. The lumber
for this was hauled from Mendota. They traded in dry-goods and grocer-
ies a year, wlien A. H. Wooster bought Wilcox's interest, and the new
firm continued the busitiess at the old stand another year. Meantime
they had purchased the lot on the east corner of Main and Jones streets,
at present covered by the Merrifield building, and erected a store. The
autumn of 1854 found E. & J. Little, and the Union store which had been
moved from Binghamton, and was conducted by J. H. Preston, and
Cornelius Allen, harness-maker, on the north side of Main street, with
Warriner & Beresford, lumber merchants, on the south side. Wilcox
& Wooster, Samuel Goldman, and Paul Cnllen, the latter keeping
groceries and liquors, were in trade on East avenue. Betw^een this
time and the spring of 1856 the following firms and persons were iden-
tified with the development of business : Guybort & Llynes, Cyrus
Bridgman & Bro., Walton & Kizer, Bosenbaum & Walton, and Car-
son & Pirie, who began with groceries in the store built by Wilcox &
Wooster, and afterward extended their business to dry-goods in an
adjoining house, and carried on a large and successful cash business
till 1865, when they removed to Chicago and engaged in the wholesale
trade. G. H. McFatrich built a business house in the spring of 1855
on Main street, on the present site of Wheat & Gridley's store. A. &
C. D. Vaughan, furniture dealers and undertakers, set up on Mason
street, nearly opposite the present Methodist church. J. D. Waddell,
furniture and undertaking, built two storerooms on the south side of
Main street. On August 25, 1860, while hunting, he was accidentally

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 319

shot and killed. R. H. Mellen went to manufacturing lumber in the
spring of 1855. James Boyd started in lumber and grain, and after
figuring largely for a short time, moved away. C. D. Sears & Co.
opened a lumber yard and built a planing-mill and sash and door fac-
tory. G. H. Ambrose and Francis Little, grain dealers at first, after-
ward started a private bank. Henry Keeling, from New Orleans,
opened a hardware store in company with John ScoUy. He has been
a prominent business man and citizen, and in 1865 built Keeling's
block on East avenue. Isaac Edwards began, and has since carried on,
the livery business. Briggs & Cushing sold drugs and groceries. C. M.
Butler and Robert Merrigold formed a copartnership in lumber and
grain. T. J. King, grocer; Badger Bros., N. S. Chase, first in cloth-
ing, afterward hardware; Philip Flach, barber; Jacob Kline, baker;
Abram Jackson, baker and confectioner ; Ashford & Cook and George
Keefer, butchers; and Mrs. W. B. Andruss, artist, who occupied rooms
in the Exchange block. ISTo. 33, Vol. I, of the "Lee County Times,"
published February 7, 1856, tlie earliest paper on file in the " Amboy
Journal " office, contains advertisements of business men and others not
already mentioned, as follows: Clark & Watson, clothing; Wm. B.
Stuart, attorney-at-law, city auctioneer and land agent; W. E. Ives,
attorney ; H. M. Snow, Doane & Quinn, meat market ; W. E. Ives,
assignee of Peironett & Reed ; W. H. Allen, music store; E. W. Mc-
Lean, general store; Mead & Hall; dissolution notice of J. W. D.
Blake & Co. ; Alexander Martin ; G. R. McKinney, general merchan-
dise; Drs. T. P. Sleeper and J. A. Jackson ; James Boyd, land agent ;
Illinois Central railroad time table, James C. Clark, superintendent ;
Mrs. Gosden, milliner ; A. S. Pierce, boots and shoes ; H. F. & E. D.
Walker, hardware ; James C. Wheat, carpenter and joiner ; Gilson &
Ransom, land agents; J. Carroll, tailor; Thomas Adarason, jeweler;
Illinois Central house, J. B. Wyman, proprietor; Egan & Booth,
grocers ; Alex. Zubrod, grocer ; A. E. Wilcox, grain ; J. H. Wisner,
livery ; W. H. Brackett & Co., blacksmiths ; P. Yogt, shoemaker ;
Reed & Pond, hides and grain ; and Amboy Lodge, No. 179, 1.O.O.F.
Among a large number of mechanics, many of whom were in the em-
ploy of the Central railroad company, we may mention in addition the
following: Lucius Clarke, Nicholas Koontz, and Harvey and Levi
Ives, carpenters; George W. Mingle, shoemaker; and a man named
Hines, blacksmith. Henry Chapin erected, in the fall of 1855, the
first blacksmith shop east of the railroad, and the second one in the
town. Considerable of the business was on the west side, and Ex-
change block was for some time all occupied. But Gilson died early,
before realizing a fruition of his plans; the efforts on behalf of that
part of the town grew feebler; and seeing the drift of trade setting

320 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

steadily and more strongly in the other direction, the dealers one by
one deserted that quarter, like rats abandoning a sinking craft. A
part of the now solitary building was torn down, and the remainder
was leveled by lire. Amboy grew rapidly through 1856, and main-
tained a steady increase until the breaking out of the war. In speak-
ing of the progress of the town, the "Times," in its issue of July 31,
1856, sums up its development thus: "We have now between 2,000
and 3,000 inhabitants, two churches and another in process of con-
struction, about thirty stores and groceries, a steam planing-mill and
sash factory, three hotels, two livery stables, and in fact establishments
of almost everj^ variety." The estimate of population is too indeter-
minate to be of much value now, though it served well enough the
purposes of local pride at that time; and "groceries" includes several
drinking shops, whose combined effect has been an aniple harvest of
crime and woe in accidents, disasters and tragedies,

David Bainter was the first doctor to locate in the new town. Dr.
Harmon Wasson lived just beyond the limits. J. A. Jackson came in
the autumn of 185-J:. T. P. Sleeper, who was mostly employed in
dentistry, arrived in 1855. Yaughan, a young physician, and brother
to C. D. Yaughan, aud A. P. Chase the next year; and McFatrich
still later. The healing art is at present represented by Drs. Ryon,
Felker, Travers, Wilcox, Manning and Saguin. Dr. George Deming
practices dentistry.

The Amboy bar has been composed of men of respectable legal
talent. William E. Ives, the oldest practicing attorney in the county,
settled here in December 1854, and was the first to hang out a sign in
the place. Alfred Tooker and James H. Felch, partners, came next ;
and in 1855 Alonzo Kinyon, one of the most marked men that Lee
county has had, settled here, read law, and began practice in this place.
Although lacking in the advantages of education, he possessed large
intellectuality and great energy of character, and added to these natu-
ral endowments habits of ceaseless and rugged industry. By force of
will and activity his success was solid and conspicuous. In politics he
was a republican, and an active man in his party ; and in 1868 was
elected representative to the general assembly. The principal measures
passed by that body, as the result of his labors, were a charter for the
Chicago & Rock River railroad ; and another act creating " The Court
of Common Pleas of the City of Amboy," to have concurrent jurisdic-
tion in the city of Amboy with the circuit court of Lee county in all
cases, civil and criminal, except murder and treason. In April, 1869,
Mr. Kinyon was elected judge of this court for a term of four years,
wnth an annual salary of $3,500 ; and C. D. Yaughan was elected clerk.
In February, 1874:, the act establishing the court was repealed. In the

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 321

early history of the town Mr. Kinyon was largely engaged in building,
and in no small degree increased its growth and accommodations.

Enos J. Ives and William B. Stuart were attorneys in practice here
when the town was first started. The latter was a pioneer of the
county, and is still a resident of Amboy. In 1858 B. H. Trusdell, a
young lawyer from New Jersey, settled here in practice and still
resides in the place. He was elected to the legislature by the demo-
crats for one term, and served the county with credit. E. Southwick,
a lawyer of ability, and some note, lived here, and died just before Mr.
Trusdell came. N. H. Ryan was another early lawyer. He also went
from this county to the legislature. An attorney by the name of
Ryon formed a partnership with Mr. Kinyon when the latter com-
menced to practice. Ryon's stay did not exceed two years. J. E.
Lewis, C. E. Ives, C. II. Wooster and T. P. Duify have all been ad-
mitted here, and represent the later generation.

INCORPORATION.

In the winter of 1854-5 Amboy became a town under the general
incorporation law, and Deacon Allen E. Wilcox was president of the
first board of trustees. H. B. Jndkins was president and Dr. J. A.
Jackson clerk of the second and last board. In the autumn of 1856
agitation for a city organization was begun, and on the 23d of Decem-
ber a meeting of citizens was held at Mechanics' Hall to consider the
subject. A. E. Wilcox was called to the chair and W. M. Taylor chosen
secretary. J. B. Wyman, W. E. Ives, A. Kinyon, E. Southwick and
John L. Skinner were appointed a committee to present a form of char-
ter at an adjourned meeting on the 30th. This was held at the Orient
House, and the charter reported was adopted by sections, and then as a
whole. A committee consisting of J. B. Wyman, W. E. Ives and J. Y.
H. Judd was selected to lay it before the legislature and urge its passage.
It was enacted and approved February 16, 1857, and adopted at an
election held for the purpose on the 2d of March. The city limits
were defined as " the south half of section fifteen and the north half of
section twenty-two, in township twenty north, of range ten east of the
fourth principal meridian ; also that part of section twenty-three which
embraces Arnold's addition." Taylor and Davis' addition has since
been annexed. Two amendments have been made to the charter, the
first in 1867, and the last in 1869. The city government comprises a
mayor and a council consisting of eight aldermen, elected from four
wards, a marshal, a treasurer, an attorney and a clerk.

The first charter election was held on the 8th, and the following
persons were chosen to fill the several ofiices: John B. Wyman,
mayor; Orange D. Reed, marshal ; S. S. Stedman and E. S. Reynolds,

322 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

aldermen of the first ward ; J. R. Stevens and F. B. Little, aldermen of
the second ward ; and J. M. Davis and J. A. Jackson, aldermen of the
third ward. 234 votes were cast. The officers were installed on the
16th, and the council elected Daniel T. Wood, clerk ; W. E. Ives,
attorney; A. E. Wilcox, assessor; W. B. Andrews, collector; Edward
Little, treasurer ; and Arthur Pond, surveyor.

The council passed an ordinance September 8, 1857, creating a tire
department, but this was never of any service to the city ; and by
beguiling it into fancied security paralyzed all attempts to make it
efficient. Not until the fire demon had several times lapped up the
business quarter of the city were earnest eftorts made to render prop-
erty reason?ibly secure against destruction. After the disastrous fire of
August 25, 1871, prompt measures were taken to provide the city with
suitable and efficient tire apparatus. A third-class Silsby steam tire
engine, and a hose carriage with 500 feet of hose were contracted for
at a cost of $5,050. This apparatus was delivered to and accepted by
the city authorities in November 1871. The Vigilant Fire Company
was organized November 18, with the following officers: A. B.
Huston, foreman; J. H. Stott, assistant foreman of engine ; H. E.
Donnell, foreman of hose; C. H. Bunker, assistant foreman of hose;
E. H. Thresher, secretary ; and George Stimpson, treasurer. The
officers of the tire department were as follows ; B. B. Howard, chief
engineer; W. W. Powell, assistant engineer; M. A. Brewer, engineer
of steamer; and Daniel Maloney, fire warden. The Vigilant Fire
Company, than which none could be more ettective, was in active
service until August 5, 1873, when it withdrew from the fire depart-
ment of Amboy. Immediately "Amboy Fire Company No. 1 " was
organized, and the following day reported to the council. It has
twenty-six members, and the following are the officers : Chas. Walker,
captain ; James Morris, assistant captain ; Edward Smith, foreman of
hose; Wm. Wells, assistant foreman; Frank Almy, secretary; and
David Shafer, treasurer.

In the autumn of 1861 the city erected a two-story building in the
business row on the south side of Main street for a council room, and
a hall for an engine company, when such an oi'ganization as the latter
should be formed. In October, 1870, a cell built of solid masonry was
put into the building, and in the great fire the following year a prisoner
confined over night for a trifling oftense was literally roasted alive,
a cruel because unnecessary tragedy, occurring by reason of the crim-
inal thoughtlessness of the officer. This hall was immediately rebuilt.
On the first floor is the engine room and calaboose, and on the second
the council meets. This body first occupied the new building Friday
evening, February 2, 1872.

AMBOY TOWNSHIP.

323

The following is a list of the mayors and clerks of the city :

MAYORS.

CLERKS.

1857

J. B. Wyman,

D. T. Wood.

1858

John R. Stevens.

W. B. Andruss.

1859

James Rosebrugh.

W. B. Andruss.

1860

J. B. Wyman.

R. H. Mellen.

1861

W. E. Ives.

R. H. Mellen.

1862

W. E. Ives.

W. C. Sears.

1863

W. E. Ives.

W. C. Sears.

1864

C. M. Butler.

II. G. Pratt.

1865

C. M. Butler.

N. H. Ryan.

1866

C. D. Vanghan.

K H. Ryan.

1867

C. D. Yaughan.

N. H. Ryan.

1868

Michael Egan.

Lee Cronkrite.

1869

Michael Egan.

Lee Cronkrite.

1870

Michael Egan.

Everett E. Chase.

1871

Isaac Edwards.

Everett E. Chase.

1872

Isaac Edwards.

Everett E. Chase.

1873

Isaac Edwards.

Everett E. Chase.

1874

Robert Richards.

Everett E. Chase.

1875

Isaac Edwards.

Everett E. Chase.

1876

Isaac Edwards.

Everett E. Chase.

1877

Isaac Edwards.

Everett E. Chase.

1878

J. B. Felker.

Everett E. Chase.

1879

J. B. Felker.

Everett E. Chase.

1880

J. B. Felker.

Everett E. Chase.

1881

J. B. Felker.

Everett E. Chase.

In the winter of 1854-5 the post-offices were discontinued at Shel-
burn and Binghamton, and one was established at Amboy, with
Orange D. Reed as postmaster. He held the office until the spring of
1861, when R. H. Mellen was appointed under the administration of
President Lincoln, and has been in possession since.

Medora Bell, daughter of Charles Bell, was born August 27, 1854;
this birth was the first in the village of Amboy. The first birth in the
township was that of Simon, son of John Dexter, in 1836, and the
second was that of Wm. C. Doan, son of James Doan, October 16,
1837. The first marriage in the village of Amboy was that of Wm.
C. Bartlett and the widow of Danford Bartlett, formerly Caroline
Yinton, October 18, 1854. Almira Melissa, infant daughter of Wm.
B. Stuart, died January 5, 1855; this was the first death in the village.

In 1874 east and west Main street was partly ballasted, and the
macadamizing has since been extended through the city. Before this
was done this thoroughfare at some seasons was next to impassable.

324 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Not only has the grade of this street been raised, but in the business
quarter the surface, by filling in, has been made some four feet higher
than it was when the town was laid out. In the early settlement of
the country this was almost a quagmire, which was described as "Far-
well's slough farm."

The two principal tragedies have been the murder of Dennis Allen,
saloon keeper, by Owen O'Connor, October 11, 1872; and Edward
Egan, by John McGrath, April 18, 1873. The lirst was shot, and died
witliin an hour; the last was stabbed in the bowels, and survived until
the fourth day. No serious cause ot trouble existed in either case, and
both acts were incited by strong drink. Both murderers escaped ade-
quate punishment. Two negroes had an altercation in the passenger
house, and one dealt the other a blow which ended his life in a few
days. The number of drunken men who have been crushed and
mangled to death on the railroad track in the city forms a list sickening
to any brain not made impassive by alcohol.

The removal of the county seat to Amboy at one time formed an
engrossing theme of controversy. It passed from the domain of words
to that of acts in 1866, when the nomination by the republican union
convention for representative fell upon Col. George Ryon, of Paw Paw,
who represented the claitns of Amboy. The people of this city at
once held a meeting and selected W. E. Ives, B. H. Trusdell and N.
H. Ryan to attend to the advertising required by the law relating to
removals. The effort did not succeed.

In June, 1880, the city purchased from the Leake estate a tract of
ground comprising nearly twenty-five acres, situated east of and ad-
joining the corporate limits, on the south side of Main street, and
inclosed in the angle of Inlet creek, for $2,250. This was formerly
the property of A. B. Searles. It is covered with a thrifty growth of
young timber, and is to be fitted up for a park. In 1878 a soldiers'
reunion, the first in this part of the state, noted for the large attend-
ance and its complete success, at which Gen. Logan and prominent
men besides were present, was held in this grove.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD BUILDINGS.

As recorded on a former page, in the summer of 1853 ground was
first broken for the erection of the passenger and freight houses, and
they were completed and put to use the next year. Both were con-
structed of brick, and the first was 40x100 feet on the plan, two and
one-half stories high, and built in a very substantial manner. It was
a railroad hotel, went by the name of "Passenger House," and was
kept by the following proprietors: James Aiken, John B. Wyman,
Gushing and Hubbard, Cushing, J. Swift, Thomas Burns, A. H. Var-

AMBOY TOWNSHIP.

325

nej, ]Sr. P. Almy, J. A. Rarasdell, Davison, C. C. Fulton, Gaylord,
Dr. A. P. Chase, Oscar Hughes, and Frederick Hepburn. At three
o'clock Monday morning, l^ovember 15, 1875, this house was discov-
ered to be on lire, and in two hours it was totally consumed. This
was the last regular hotel in the city. Next year a new building of
brick, with light-colored stone trimmings, was erected on the site of
the old, but its character was wholly changed. The first floor is
divided into a ticket oflice and waiting and baggage rooms, while in
the upper story are situated the various offices for operating the line.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD BRIDGE AT DIXON, ILL.

The original freight house, 40x80 feet, remains well preserved, and is
good for a hundred years' entire use. The first freight and station agent
was C. R. Fields, who held the position three months and was suc-
ceeded by Lemuel Bourne, who retained it eight years.

"Work was commenced on the shops in 1854, and they were finished
the next year. The company's temporary shops were located between
the Dutcher building and the track, and were torn down when the
permanent buildings were occupied in the spring of 1856. The me-
chanical department comprises eight divisions, which are distributed
among the several shops ; these divisions are machine, car repair,
blacksmith, paint, boiler, locomotive, wood repair, tin, and storehouse.
The machine shop is two stories high, 85x130 feet on the ground,
built of brick and covered with slate roof. A stationary engine of
eighty horse power, almost as noiseless as a clock, drives all the

S'2(] HISTORY OF LEE fiOUNTY.

machinery in this and the blacksmith shop by means of sliafting
through both buildings. Steam is supplied from two large tubular
boilers. In the first shop the machinery is all on the ground floor,
while in the second story are the locomotive, wood repair and the tin
shops. Tracks extend into this building and connect with a turntable
for convenience in the repair of locomotives. The blacksmith shop
adjoining on the northwest corner is one story, with walls about
twenty feet high and slated roof. Its dimensions are 70x125 feet on
the plan. A dozen or more forges are ranged round, with a large one
in the center supplied with all necessary apparatus, including a trip
hammer, for handling and doing heavy work. A powerful blower
supplies the blast; and above the forges extends a large pipe from
which smaller ones lead down with valves to regulate its use. The
car repair shop is a frame building 50x150 feet and one &tory in
lieight. Two tracks extend nearly the full length, and on either side is
a continuous row of work-benches. Repairing only is done in these
shops, though the time was when some new work was sent out, and
one or two locomotives, we believe, have been constructed here. The
engine house is a circular brick building 216 feet in diameter, inclosing
an open, spacious court in which there is a turntable with tracks
radiating therefrom into twenty-seven engine compartments. These
may be tightly closed at pleasure by the large doors hung at the en-
trances in the inner wall. "Here can always be seen a noble stud of
iron horses with their grooms fitting them up for the course." The
oil room and sand house is 30x50 feet, and the stationary room 10
feet square. The storehouse, erected during the war, is a one-story
building 30 feet wide and 120 feet long. The tank house is 25x65,
and situated southeast of the engine house. The lower story is used
for storage, and the upper is occupied by two huge tanks which are
kept filled with water from Inlet creek, a quarter of a mile distant.
A stationary engine at the latter point forces the water through a pipe
into the tanks, and from these, engines and hydrants in the shops are
supplied. The coal shed, a rough structure 17x320 feet, stands in
this vicinity. The mason work of these buildings was superintended
by Michael Egan, one of the most thorough mechanics, who is still in
the employ of the company ; and the carpenter work was in charge of
Daniel S. Clark. John C. Jacobs is the superintendent of the north
division of the road, and has filled the office with unquestionable faith-
fulness since about 1858. We should have given a list of them " that
exercise authority," and some description of the positions they occupy,
but the information has not come to hand, and we can only ask to be
pardoned, as we forgive him who has " held the word of promise to the
ear and broken it to the hope." Subjoined are the names of many of

s

y

n If ri/ .^

(deceased)

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 329

tlie best known who have been in the employ of the company about
twenty to twentj-five years : Lucius Clark, G. H. McFatrich, A. E.
Slanter, Jared Slanter, John Gunning, A. J. Poland, Joseph Drum-
mond, Robert Richards, B. B. Howard, Dennis Maloy, A. W. Spafard,
J. B. Edams, L. G. Rice, G. W. Freeman, John Keho, Tiiomas Bran-
agan. Levi Ives, Timothy Crowley, Joseph Tait, Charles Tait, William
Tait, C. M. Thayer, Henry McGraw, William Trude, Charles Wescott,
Homer Graves, Snow, Battles and Stay.

FIRES.

It would be hard to find a place which has passed through greater
trials by fire than the city of Amboy ; and with perhaps a single ex-
ception the larger ones are regarded as incendiary. The first on the
site was before the town was surveyed, and was the boarding-house
kept for the railroad company by Charles W. Bell, already noted else-
where. The second was the dwelling-house of D. A. Thomas, de-
stroyed Saturday, August 22, 1857. We shall omit the few barns
and private houses burned subsequent to this date, and record only
those conflagrations in which public or business property has suffered.
The first Catholic church, so nearly completed that the plastering had
been done, was accidentally burned December 3, 1857.

The historic Baker House was erected most probably in 1855, by
Alonzo Kinyon, and stood on Jones street, where Carroll's tailor shop
and the meat market just north of it are now situated. It was built of
wood in the cheapest possible style, covered with tarred cloth, and the
rooms divided with paper partitions ; and by the public was dubbed
" The Ark." Kinyon sold it to Baker, by whose name it has always
been best known. It was afterward called the Burnett House, from a
later owner, and was consumed November 13, 1859. It was occupied
by two families at the time, one of w^iich escaped with difiiculty and
injury, the mother falling down stairs, and the father leaping from the
second story with a child in his arms. Dr. Bainter's oflice, adjoining
on the north, was destroyed by the same fire.

The Orient House, kept at that date by John L. Skinner, was
burned Friday evening, September 28, 1860.

The citj' hall was the first brick structure, except the railroad build-
ings, erected in Amboy, and was situated on East avenue. It was a
fine edifice, with brick and iron front, three stories and a basement ;
built by Wm. B. Stuart and Paul Cullen in 1858. The first general
conflagration originated in the basement of this building, occupied as
a saloon by Peter Birkenbeuel, on the morning of December 10, 1863.
The fire spread in both directions, and in its progress north was ar-
rested by tearing down a building adjoining a vacant lot ; on the south
20

330 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

it was stayed by Carson & Pirie's brick store, which was kept drenched
with water. The aggregate loss was $35,000, of which $14,000 was
covered by insurance. Among the losers were Carson & Pirie, who
were fully protected hy insurance ; O. F. Warriner, Henry Brady,
Wm, Murtha, M. Carroll, J. L. Skinner, Adam Shugart, Francis
Cullen, Peter Birkenbeuel, A.F. and A.M., J. Kline, Owen O'Connor,
John Morris, Philip Flach, Louis Brendell, James McCue, Abram
Jackson, Theodore Goldman, Samuel Goldman, Andrew Walters and
John Burns, besides several smaller losers.

A second fire devasted this locality again in 1864. On the morn-
ing of November 10 it broke out in the building occupied by Abrani
Jackson as a dry -goods and grocery store. Five business houses were
consumed, and the new brick building just erected by the Badgers on
the site of the Orient House was considerably damaged. The total loss
of $45,000 was reduced by $38,000 of insurance. The sufferers were
Carson & Pirie, E. Arnold, A. Jackson, Philip Goldman, Samuel
Goldman, Perley & Blackstone, H. Keeling and Badger Brothers.

The third great fire visited the south side of Main street about one
o'clock Friday morning, March 10, 1865, and swept away all of the
business block west from the cit}' building to the alley, including seven
houses. The loss fell on W. E, Ives, McLean, George Keifer, Leake
& Co., John Morris, Mingle Brothers, Benjamin Cope, Weddell estate,
Wm. Keeling, A. E. Wilcox, R. S. Burington, J. P. Newell, V.
Weintz, Hunt, Howe and others.

Immediately following this the council passed an ordinance forbid-
ding the construction of wooden buildings, except temporarily for a
year, on Main street between Mason and the Central railroad, and on
East avenue between Main and Division streets, and designated these
limits as Fire District No. 1.

The fourth and most disastrous general fire up to this time occurred
on the north side of Main street on August 24, 1867, and was dis-
covered in the upper story of Josiah Little's drug store at half-past
one in the morning. The row, in the middle of which the fire broke
out, was composed of sixteen wooden buildings, which in two hours'
time were completel}^ lapped up by the flames. The dealei's and
others affected by this disaster were Hawkes & Bourne, Thomas Cos-
tain, Deming & Wilcox, W. Fasoldt, L. Barlow, J. Little, Lynn &
Walker, Goldstone & Jackson, C. D. Yaughn, C. Allen, A. H. Merri-
field & Co., A.F. & A.M., Mrs. Hudder, Fillis & Carroll, C. P. Miller,
O. M. Miner, K Woolsey, Dr. J. P. Foltz, dentist, Dr. J. R. Corbus,
Dr. E. P. Travers, and L. Asire. The estimated loss was $75,000;
the insurance amounted to half that sura.

The next noted landmark of early Araboy to yield to the greedy

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 331

element was the old Exchange block on the west side of the railroad.
It was burned down before daybreak on September 21, 1867.

Between two and three o'clock on the morning of April 2, 1868, a
fire made its appearance in a building on East avenue occupied by
William Murtha as a grocery and liquor store below and a saloon and
billiard hall above kept by George Raymond. Four buildings, flanked
on the south by Hawks & Bourne's store and on the north by Kline's
bakery, were burned down. These were a barber shop, saloons and
billiard rooms, kept by C. Praesent, Henry Brady, William Murtha, P.
Fogarty, and John Dutcher.

On the night of April, 25, 1871, the Amboy House, kept by Hugh
McGee, was totally destroyed. Estimated loss $5,000 ; insurance
$3,500.

The sixth and last general fire, from which the city recovered with
admirable grace and dignity after many woes, was more destructive
than all the previous ones together. The aggregate loss reached
$175,000, and a tabulated statement of risks held by insurance com-
panies shows their losses to have been $103,000. The fire originated
in the baker}^ of D. S. Corbin, underneath Vaughan's furniture store,
and was discovered about four o'clock in the morning of August 25,
1871. It destroyed the buildings owned by C. D. Yaughan, William
Murtha, C. F. Lynn, and Wilcox & Brigham, on the north side of
Main street, and those on the south side owned by W. B. Andrus,
Martin Maus, Y. Weintz, C. Badger, John Kline, P. McMahan,
Thomas Cunningham, and the city building. Those who lost in per-
sonal property were Gale & Gardner, Masonic Lodge, C. D. Yaughan,
Misses Mickler & Yaughan, Arnold & Sindlinger, Josiah Little, B. H.
Trusdell, C. F. Lj^nn, Mrs. Pierson, office of J. H. Preston, county
superintendent, I. Zwisler, Wheat & Gridley Brothers, French, G. A.
Doming, Mrs. McGraw & Wilcox, Miss Murphy, Mrs. Hudder, M.
Maus, Graves & Hines, City Hall store. Weintz & Barth, Judge Kin-
yon, Sanger & Badger, Chase & Gale, engineers and firemen, John
Kline, Terry Lynch, W. B. Stuart, and Merrifield & Co.

The most deplorable feature of this calamity was the burning to
death of John Shannon, who had been arrested the night before on the
charge of selling mortgaged property, and was confined in the cala-
boose. Sheff Dyer was the officer in charge of the lock-up; he put
the man in his cell and the key in his pocket ; he was early at the fire,
and engaged himself in the exciting work of saving property, where
so little indeed was saved ; he saw the raging fiames gradually approach
and finally envelop the city building in which the helpless, unfortu-
nate man was locked up, and still he never once thought of his pris-
oner. In its account of the aflair, the " Journal " remarked, with a

332 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

mildness that would be exasperating were it not Christian, that " it
was a clear case of forgetfiibiess."

On January -3, 1872, the jewelry store of J. A. Lagercrantz in
Fasoldt's building caught lire, but the prompt action of the fire
department in the use of the new steamer averted another disastrous
conflagration. The loss was not extensive.

Farwell Hall, which had outlived its usefulness as a public build-
ino-, and having been remodeled was used as a dwelling, took fire on
August 2, 1872, and was partiall}^ consumed, its total destruction being
prevented by the promptness of the Vigilant fire company. It was
repaired and is now residence property. The old Potter House was
destroyed in the same manner June 17, 1873.

Another fire on East avenue occurred Sunday morning, October
11, 1874, making its appearance in Reeling's block. It was extin-
o-uished by the fire department. The loss was borne by C. G. Braun-
ing, August Barth, Arnold & Son, and the Masonic and Odd-Fellows
lodges.

Between two and three o'clock on the morning of April 12, 1875,
Masonic hall was set on fire, which was put out and the building
saved. Daylight revealed the diabolical work of the incendiary in the
use of inflammable materials which had been applied to several build-
ings. Hardly had the people reached their homes before flames burst
out of Patterson's hay-press, which was soon in ashes.

The Passenger House, as previously noticed, was burned Novem-
ber 15, 1875.

The Farmer's mills which had been removed in 1873 and re-
erected in Amboy by Judge Kinyon near the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy depot, and in 1875 sold to W. H. Lunt, of Evanston Female
College, were consumed early on the morning of February 9, 1876.
The property was insured for $8,000.

EDUCATION.

The first school in the village of Amboy was a select one for young
scholars, taught by Miss Celia Winters, in the old Baptist church west
of the railroad. Miss Vaughan was another who taught in the same
place. The vestry of the present Baptist church was afterward occu-
pied, and Miss Yaughan and Miss Merilla Warriner were the teachers.
School was kept in Farwell Hall until need of that was superseded by
the erection of the first school-house. In the summer of 1856 efforts
were begun looking toward the construction of a school building in
Amboy, and $2,600 were raised by taxation the following wnnter. The
district had, besides, a fund of $800, derived from the sale of the swamp
lands. On March 12, 1857, a public meeting of the voters of district

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 333

No. 4 was held at Farwell Hall to authorize an appropriation to build.
A committee to select grounds was appointed, and the 21st was named
for an adjourned meeting to hear their report. The location adopted
was between Jones and Mason streets, fronting Hawley. This seems
to have been unsatisfactory, for on the 20th of April the district had a
meeting to reconsider the vote fixing the site, and the one on Provost
street, where the house was built, became the choice. Ground was
broken for the foundation on the 6th of July. The house is a plain
brick, two stories, 36x60, and stands in the center of a spacious play-
ground on the corner of Provost street and Commercial avenue. In
the fall of 1864 a one-story wooden school-building was constructed in
Gilson's addition, block 9, facing Davis avenue, and the next year the
old frame Methodist meeting-house on the east side was purchas<3d by
the district for a school-house in season for the fall term. The price paid
was $1,000, one half payable in two years and the I'emainder in three.
In 1868 a two-story brick, 30x54, was erected on the west side, in the
southeast corner of the old fair ground, and the campus contains about
one-fourth of the original area. These four, none of them imposing in
appearance, but all supplying fair accommodations, if we except over-
crowding, constitute the public school buildings in present use.

We are able to give a partial list of the superintendents, and begin
with J. K. B. Clayton, whose name once crops out above the debris of
time in the autumn of 1859. He is followed the next year by J. H.
Blodgett. Links are missing from this time until the school year 1865-
6, when we gather up the chain in the person of John Russ, assisted
by his wife. About this period the languishing state of the schools
excited no little public comment. C. W. Moore succeeded in 1866, and
was in charge three years. We have discovered no incumbent for 1869,
but Mr. Moore filled the position in 1870, giving place in the fall of
that year to P. A. Childs. The latter was retained three years, and fol-
lowed by H. A. Smith two years. Mr. Reagan, now in 1875, took the
principalship, and discharged its duties until 1878, and since that time
P. M. James has occupied the position. We believe a man by the
name of Cook should have a place somewhere in the category.

The schools are divided into four departments, and regularly graded.
In each of the frame buildings is a primary and an intermediate ; on
the west side Miss Lizzie Burke has taught a number of j^ears in the
former, and on the east side Miss L. ISTowlin, who has been steadily em-
ployed about a dozen years and in different positions, is teaching at
present in the same department. In the intermediate on the west side
is James E. Shea, and on the east side Miss Lizzie Morris. The new
or west-side brick has a primary and a grammar department, with Miss
Lizzie Sears to preside over the former and Daniel Griffin over the lat-

334 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

ter. All the departments are represented in the old school-building.
Miss Lizzie Richards teaches in the primary, Miss Jennie Reed in the
intermediate, Miss Lizzie Gardner, and Miss Eva ShurtlefF assistant, in
the grammar, and Prof. James, and Mr. Kehoe assistant, in the high
school. The latter was graduated here in the class of 1878. During
the past year L. B. Searles has taught penmanship in the several de-
partments. The studies in the high school embrace higher English,
higher mathematics, and the sciences. Eleven years are required to
complete the full course, distributed as follows : primary three, inter-
mediate three, grammar two, and high school three. Fifty-eight stu-
dents have been graduated since 1876, the first year in which diplomas
were granted. In that year there were two graduates, in 1877 eight,
in 1878 eleven, in 1879 fifteen, in 1880 twelve, and in 1881 ten.

For the year ended June 10, 1881, the whole number of pupils en-
rolled was 673, and the average daily attendance 476. Children under
twenty-one 1,199, and between six and twenty-one 889. The board of
education is composed of Dr. George Rj'on, president; J. B. Graves,
clerk ; Patrick Corcoran, J. G. Stafford, Rev. J. H. Hazen and Joseph
Pennenbacker. C. D. Yaughan is the township treasurer.

CHURCHES.

The Baptist society was constituted May 1855, and the same year
built a small temporary church on West Main street, on lot 1, block 14,
Gilson's addition. The leading constituent members were Deacons
Cyrus Bryant, Warren Hill and Allen E. Wilcox and their wives,
Almon Ives and wife, Samuel Bixby and wife, and William E. Ives
and wife. Deacons Jacob Luce and Harvey Barrell and their wives
joined soon after. The Rev. Wliittaker was the first pastor who min-
istered to the congregation in this house. Preparations were early
begun to erect an enduring edifice, and in 1856 it was commenced,
and before the close of the year finished outside. Deacons Hill, Wil-
cox and Luce and William E. Ives were the building committee, and
E. S. Reynolds the contractor and builder. Its situation is on Mason
street, lot 9, block 24, Wyman's addition, and the dimensions are
36 X 60 feet on the plan. The interior arrangement is an elevated
audience room over a stone basement, and the cost was $4,500. The
building was inclosed during the memorable presidential canvass of
1856, and in season to be occupied for a political meeting, which was
addressed by the famous and fiery orator Owen Lovejoy. On March
2 of the next year, when the citizens were voting on the adoption of
the city charter, the bell, which had just been lifted to its place, pealed
out its first grateful sounds on the prairie air, — never before stirred in
this vicinity by such a herald of " peace on earth, good will to men " —

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 335

which vibrated and throbbed to the delight of the people with the music
of its rich, glad tones. The house was formally dedicated on September
13, by Rev. Silas Tucker, of Galesburg, who preached the sermon for the
occasion. The Rev. T. H. Biill was the pastor at this time, and his
predecessor was the Rev. P. Taylor, the earliest to preach in this new
church. The first funeral service Was that of Mrs. Jacob Luce in Feb-
ruary, before it was completed, and was held in the vestry. The second
was that of Mrs. Mary Beresford, who died just a month after the dedica-
tion. The Rev. Ball's ministry was succeeded in 1858 by the Rev. J.
C. Miller, a noted laborer here in his denomination. In eight months
of 1858-9 he added over 130 members by baptism. This was a
period of very successful revival work by all of the churches, and will
be remembered as that of the great awakening of religious fervor
throughout America and Europe. Among those who took an active
part in the affairs of the church just prior to this interesting improve-
ment in its condition we would name R. M. Brigham, E. Arnold, C.
A. Wall, M. L. Arnold, S. Carson, O. Arnold, W. S. Cottrell, E. S.
Hill, J. M. Davis and their wives. The fourth pastor, counting from
the Rev. Taylor, was the Rev. William R. Webb, D.D., one of the
ablest the church ever had, whose pastorate began in the autumn of
1861. He was succeeded in his labors by the Rev. J. H. Hazen, who
came in June 1865, fresh from an exhausting three years' service in
the army, which induced paralysis and drove him from the pulpit
which he had so much adorned throughout his useful life. His connec-
tion as pastor ceased in the fall of 1869, and his place was taken by
James Buchanan, who was followed in the summer of 1870 by M. T.
Lamb. The Revs. George Wesselius, W. D. Clarke and Dr. N. A-
Reed complete the list. Mr. Reed's pastorate terminated the present
year. In 1865 the society bought a parsonage, and the next year
repaired their house of worship at an expense of about $400. They
have been out of debt since the spring of 1876. The membership is
about 150, and the Sabbath school, under the superintendence of Prof.
P. M. James, has 145 enrolled and an average attendance of 85.

The people of Amboy first worshiped for a short time in the dining-
hall of the Passenger House. The Baptists built a small meeting-
house and withdrew from the mixed cons^regations. Farwell Hall was
soon erected, and to this all others then had resort. The second
church in the towm was built by the Methodists in 1857, and dedicated
Sunday, June 21 ; Prof. Munsell, of Mount Morris, conducted the
dedicatorial service, and the Rev. O. B. Thayer was assigned to this
charge in August by the conference. This house is a low-post frame,
stands on the northeast corner of block 15 — at the intersection of Main
and Center streets — and is now one of the four public school buildings

336 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

of the city. Its erection was chiefly due to the zealous exertions of
George H. Pierson, who took the lead in the matter, procured the lum-
ber on his own account, invested labor of his own hands, and accepted
payments from the society. On May 16, 1865, the corner-stone of the
present massive church was laid with suitable ceremonies, and ad-
dresses were delivered by the Rev. Jewett, the Rev. W. T. Harlow,
presiding elder, and the Rev. Dr. Robt. Hatfleld, of New York. On
behalf of the society and the undertaking Dr. Hatfield lectured in the
evening in the Baptist church on "The Sacrifices and Compensations of
the War." The dedication took place April 1, 1866. The Rev. Dr.
Eddy, of Chicago, was present, and preached an able discourse fi-om
Matthew xxviii, 8, 9. The cost of the church was neai-ly $14,000, but
a debt of $6,000 remained, which was promptly canceled by liberal
donations in cash and pledges. In forwarding this useful object 11. E.
Badger bore a leading part, and was one of the heaviest contributors.
This is a substantial stone edifice, plain, without beaut}^ yet having an
air of Gothic style. Its size on the ground is 40x60 feet. A lecture-
room and two class rooms occupy the basement, and above is a spacious
and attractive audience-hall. The front corners are surmounted by
towers, the taller of which, containing the belfry, has replaced the spire
whicli rose to the height of 127 feet, but which was blown down in a
gale Sunday evening, July 17, 1870, depositing the bell uninjured in
the street ; the damage was $500. The location is on Mason street
just above Main. Joseph Lewis, Henry E. Badger. Ephraim Wheaton,
I. N. Bear, George Mingle and Edward Miller were organizers of this
church, and are still here, though the latter has transferred his mem-
bership to the Congregational church. They have been foremost
members, and their long and faithful communion and usefulness re-
flect on them a halo of patriarchal dignity and venerableness. Mr.
Badger has always served the church either as trustee, steward, or Sab-
bath-school superintendent, and has sometimes filled concurrently all
these positions. H. F. Walker, an early business man here, now in
Chicago, was veiy efficient on the building committee, and also as
trustee and superintendent. Joseph Lewis has always been a reliable
assistant as trustee, steward and leader. The offices of secretary and
treasurer of both the society and the Sunday-school have been care-
full}' filled most of the time by C. P. Miller. Since the new church
was occupied the superintendents have been H. F. Walker, H. E.
Badger, C. W. Deming, W. H. Badger, G. W. Mingle and A. Burn-
ham. H. E. Bado^er and C. W. Demins: have been most of the time
district stewards and delegates to the laymen's conference. The pres-
ent membership, probably, will not fall below 120. Turning now for
information to the records of the church, we find that the first quarterly

AMBOT TOWNSHIP. 387

conference for Amboy Station was held December 19, 1857. Luke
Hitchcock was presiding elder, O. B. Thayer preacher in charge, I. K.
Eberly local preacher, J. P. Hawks exhorter, N. Cleaveland local elder
and H. F. Walker, H. E. Badger, G. W. Mingle and A. Bainter official
members. The presiding elders and preachers in charge since that
time have been as follows: 1858-9, S. P. Keyes, P.E., O. B. Thayer,
P.O. ; 1859-60, S. A.W. Jewett, P.E., H. L. Martin, P.C.; 1860-1, Josiah
Gibson, P.E., H. L. Martin, P.O. ; 1861-2, Josiah Gibson, P.E., J. W.
Davidson, P.O. ; 1862-3, Josiah Gibson, P.E., W. Cone, P.O. ; 1863-
4-5, W. T. Harlow, P.E., W. Cone, P.C. ; 1865-6, W. T. Harlow,
P.E., D. J. Holmes, P.C. ; 1866-7, E. Q. Fnller, P.E., J. G. Bliss,
P.C. ; 1867-8, J. H. Moore, P.E., J. Fassett, P.C. ; 1868-9-70, J. H.
Moore, P.E., J. T. Hanna, P.C; 1870-1, J. H. Moore, P.E., J. T.
Hanna, P.C, till April 1, remainder of conference year supplied by
A. P. Hatch; 1871-2, W. S. Harrington, P.E., J. Wardel, P.C;
1872-3-4-5, W. S. Harrington, P.E., C K. Ford, P.C. ; 1875-6, W. S.
Harrington, P.E., E. M. Battis, P.C. ; 1876-7-8, J. Linebarger, P.E.,
E. M. Battis, P.C. ; 1878-9-80, J. Linebarger, P.E., A. Campbell ;
1880-1, Luke Hitchcock, P.E., Isaac A. Springer.

The floating debt of the church, which had accumulated to $2,500,
was entirely liquidated during the pastoral charge of the Rev. Ford.

"The Congregational church of Palestine Grove" was organized
at the residence of Moses Crombie, July 5, 1843, and worshiped for
several years at the Wasson school-house, near Binghamton. The
society was ministered to at this place by the Pevs. John Morrell,
Ingersoll, Joseph Gardner, and Pierson. About 1849 the place of
worship was removed to Lee Center, and the name of this locality was
substituted for Palestine Grove in the name of the church. Out of
this sprang the subject of this paragraph — the Congregational church
of Amboy. On June 27, 1854, Joseph Farwell and his wife Cyrene^
John C Church and his wife Cyrene, Michael Blocher of Lee Center
church, and Constant Abbott, Ruby his wife, and Caroline their
daughter, of the First Presbyterian church of Galesburg, assembled at
the house of Joseph Farwell and organized themselves into a "Church
of Jesus Christ," which was recognized on the following day as the
First Church of Amboy by an ecclesiastical council at Lee Center,
convened under a call to ordain and install the Rev. S. "W. Phelps.
This was the earliest religious society formed in Amboy, and its organ-
ization antedates the first conveyance of town lots. Another body
declaring its belief that " the cause of religion would be promoted by
the forming of a society to unite with and sustain the action of the
Congregational church," was organized upon this basis by some of the
citizens June 17, 1856. Until Farwell Hall was built they held services

338 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

in the Passenger House, and these were lirst conducted bj the Kev. S.
W. Phelps, who ministered to them occasionally; but on February 14,
1855, the Rev. David Wert was invited to become their pastor at $500
yearly salary and no expense for rent. The call was accepted and he
officiated for them until April 1856. In December the Rev. C. P.
Felch engaged to supply the pulpit, and April 30 following he w^as
ordained and installed pastor. During his ministerial charge the first
house of worship was erected on Jones street, near Provost, at a cost
of about $1,500, and dedicated April 1, 1858, by the Rev. F. Bascom,
of Galesburg, who preached the dedicatory sermon. The Rev. Felch
was retained on a salary of $800 a year until October 12, 1859, after
which time the Rev, S. W. Phelps preached once every Sabbath for
about one year. The Rev. Samuel Day was next secured at $600 per
year and a donation, and served the church from the autumn of 1860
till January 1802. The Rev. J. L. White took the vacant place shortly
after, and in July accepted the formal call of the church at an annual
salary of $600, which was increased in 1864 to $900. In July, 1866,
he retired and was succeeded by the Rev. G. H. Wells, who declined
the call of the church made in January 1867, but accepted it when
renewed in March, though his ministry did not begin until September.
He received $1,200 a year for his services, which ended December 25,
1870. His successor, the Rev. C. Caverno, employed at a salary of
$1,500 per year, began his pastoral labors September 3, 1871, and
terminated them March 1, 1874. The congregation had no stated
supply after this date until November, when the Rev. J. M. Lau Bach
accepted a call to this charge and labored herein till April 1878. He
was speedily followed the next month by the Rev. M. S. Crosswell,
who was soon thereafter unanimously called to the pastorate, which he
accepted, and from which he withdrew October 1, 1880. The church
has had no pastor since. Their present house of worship, standing on
the corner of Main and Plant streets, is a sightly frame edifice sur-
mounting a stone basement, and is 40x72 feet in dimensions. The
basement contains a lecture-room and parlors. This house was begun
in the autumn of 1865, completed the next spring, and dedicated June
10, by the Rev. G. F. Magoon, of Iowa College. The cost was $14,000.
During the present summer it has been repaired, repainted, and the
interior frescoed, and supplied with a pipe organ, at an expense of
$2,000. This church united with the Rock River association in Octo-
ber 1854, at its meeting at Grand de Tour; and in 1857, when the
Bureau association was formed, it joined that body. Since its organ-
ization with eight members in 1854 about 400 have been added, and
the present membership, including many non-residents, is 164.

The Sabbath-school, which was organized in Farwell Hall in April

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 339

1855, with R. H. Melleu as superintendent, is maintained the year
round, and the average attendance, which was then about iiftj, has in-
creased to nearly three times that number. The first church was sold
to the Free Methodists in the spring of 1866 for $1,200. Of the
original members three are still living and in communion, — Michael
Blocher and John C. Church and his wife. The venerable Father
Farwell, so often mentioned in these pages, whose name stood first on
the list, was a native of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, having been born of
Puritan stock. May 14, 1790. In 1815 he became a communicant in
the Congregational church ; in 1819 he married ; in 1826 he settled in
Lowell, and there assisted in forming the first Congregational church
in that place, as he afterward also assisted in establishing the second
and the third ; in 1836 he emigrated with his family to Amboy, Mich-
igan, in which place he likewise aided in founding the first church of
the same denomination ; and in 1811 he removed to this place, at that
time called Palestine Grove. His death, which occurred March 5,
1875, found him ripe in years and good works. Mrs. Farwell survived
him but is not now living.

The Hon. B. H. Trusdell furnishes the following in regard to the
Episcopal church :

The Episcopal church was established in Amboy in the spring
of 1859 by the organization of St. Thomas' parish. The proceedings
took place in Mechanics' Hall, and the rector. Rev. W. M. A. Brodnax,
Mrs. Brodnax, Mr. and Mrs. N. S. Chase, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Meri-
gold, Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Bourne, Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Stone, J. F.
Somes, F. I. Foot, Mr. King, and Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Trusdell, were
among the number who participated. The records of the parish have
been burned, and the names of the original wardens and vestrymen
cannot be given. Mr. Brodnax continued rector of the parish about
three years. He was a talented, courteous, agreeable, christian gentle-
man. The society worshiped in the hall where the parish was organ-
ized, and for a time prospered. In 1862 Mr. Brodnax resigned, and
for several years there were occasional ministrations by clergymen sent
here by the bishop; but finally all hope of firmly establishing the
church was abandoned. N. S. Chase, a gentleman of rare intelligence
and pleasing manners, a thorough churchman, and a born leader, had
died. He had done more for the parish than any other man, and
there was no one to take his place. At a later date the parish sus-
tained a serious loss in the death of Mrs. Robert Merigold. She was
born in the church ; and although an invalid for many years, her sin-
cere piety and active zeal brought her great respect and influence.
When thoroughly disorganized and without hope, in the autumn of
1877, Rev. ]Sr. W. Heermans, then in deacon's orders, came to this his

340 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

first parish and entered upon the work of resuscitatinojit. The results
are marvelous. On the lots donated to the parish at its organization
by John B. Calhoun, Esq., and located on the northwest corner of
Mason and Provost streets, has been erected a beautiful church edifice,
which is completely and neatly furnished. The lots have been graded,
grassed and fenced, and shade-trees planted, and all is fully paid for.
During this period Mr. Heermans held occasional services at Tonica,
Illinois, and there made the acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. William
Watron. Mr. Watron died very suddenly, and Mrs. Watron, knowing
her husband's attachment to Mr. Heermans, and his desire to promote
the welfare of the church, gave to Mr. Heermans $1,000 for the acqui-
sition of a rectory for St. Thomas' parish. At one Sunday morning
service, to the great surprise of his congregation, he placed a check for
that sum among the offerings. March 30, 1881, he purchased from
Mr. James B. Arnold, for $1,500, his residence adjoining the church
lots, and moved into it in May. The society is now hopeful, and Mr.
Heermans may well feel proud of and be thankful for the results of his
coming to this parish.

The German Evangelical church in Amboy was formed by the •
Rev. Wm. Angelberger, of Franklin Grove, on the 30th of January
1870,with fifty-four members, among whom Jacob Ashenbrenner, Jacob
Klein, Valentine Weintz, Fred Nickels and Charles Molloy were
perhaps the most prominent. This organization took place in the
basement of the Congregational church, where their first meetings
were held, and was then styled the First Evangelical Lutheran church.
On the 3d of July the old Congregational church was purchased from
the Free Methodists for $1,500. The members named above and
three other persons contributed one half of the purchase-money. The
Rev. Angelberger preached to this congregation till May 26, 1872,
and was followed by the Rev. Anthest until September 5, 1875.
Somewhat irregular services were now held by different ministers for
a year. On the 20tli of May, 1876, the church voted an application
for union with the Evangelical Synod of North America, a different
denomination, and being accepted the name was accordingly changed
to German Evangelical. The Rev. Wm. Froram, of New York, was
sent by the synod, and on January li, 1877, was installed pastor
by the Rev. Biesemeier, of Forreston. He departed in the autumn of
1878, and from that time till July, 1879, several persons officiated. On
July 27 the Rev. Hagemann was installed by the Rev. W. Stark, of
Mendota. Owing to deaths and removals their membership has
diminished to about twenty-five. In their Sabbath school of about
fifty members the children are taught in German, so that they may
read the scriptures and listen to preaching in the tongue of the father-

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 341

land. The first trustees were Y. "Weintz, Fred Nickels, and John
Klein, and the first deacons were Jacob Ashenbrenner, Charles
Molloy, and Charles Hegert.

In 1854 the Catholics, thirty or forty in number, began holding
service at the residence of Michael Egan. Father Anthony was the
first to celebrate mass, but Fathers O'Hara and Fitzgerald also came
temporarily. In 1857, while Father Edwards was here, some lots
were purchased in the north part of the town, and material to be used
in the erection of a church was hauled to the ground. But this priest
remained only a brief time, and being followed by Father Bray, the
first who settled here, and who disapjDroved of the location, the lots were
sold to Patrick Murphy, and others bought where the Catholic church
now stands, on the corner of Adams and Center streets. The house
was built in 1857, but when the plastering was being done it acci-
dentally caught fire and burned down. This misfortune occurred on
the 2d of December. Father Bray remained until the following spring,
and then Father Yahey came to the place. In the autumn of this
year, 1858, rebuilding was begun, and the church finished in the spring
of 1859. Father Clark was the next priest, and was here as early as
1862; Father Murphy was his successor in 1868, and during his
charge, probably in 1871, the church was enlarged by an addition to its
length. In 1869 a house and three lots in Wyman's addition were
bought for the priest's occupancy, and the sum of $3,000 was paid for
the property. The next and last change in priests was when Father
Keenan came in 1873. The church is in a flourishing condition ; it is
out of debt, and its membership embraces over 230 heads of families.
The building in which they worship is 32x94 feet; it begins to bear
marks of age, and it is proposed to build another in the near future,
and with this object in view a fund is being accumulated. It has
reached $2,000.

The Catholic cemetery is located between Amboy and Rocky Ford.
The ground was obtained by two purchases, both of which were made
when Father Clark was over the church. The first piece of two and
three-fourths acres was bought from Isadore Zwisler for $200, some time
during the war. It was back from the road, and a few years after a
tract of four acres in front was obtained from F. R. Dutcher for $400.
Michael Egan, Patrick Corcoran and Lawrence McGrath are the ceme-
tery trustees. Before this burial lot was procured the Catholics gave
their dead sepulture at Sandy Hill.

A Free Methodist Society was formed in Amboy about 1864 by
the Rev. Mead. The first meetings were held in Fasoldt's Hall, and
the original body did not consist of more than half-a-dozen members,
but it eventually reached as high as forty or more. The first regular

342 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

preacher was the Rev. Miller, who was followed in 1865 by the Rev.
Levi Kelly, and he in turn was succeeded by the Rev. Charles Har-
roun. sr. The Revs. Cain and Cooley preached subsequently, and the
closing labors of the latter were coincident with the dissolution of the
society. In 1866 the old Congregational church was bought, but four
years after was sold to the German Lutherans. Dissensions having
arisen among the Free Methodists in 1868, Stephen G. Yirgil and H.
S. Sweet joined the United Brethren church at La Moille, and then got
Elder Dodson to come to Amboy and organize a society. This was
done at Sweet's house, formerly the old Farwell Hall. The original
members were Yirgil, Sweet, P. A. Main, Rev. Miles Lewis, Rev. J.
W. Lewis, Mrs. Sophia Lewis, and Ephraim Wheaton and his wife,
John Sheffield and his wife, Mrs. S. G. Virgil, Alpheus Skinner and
his wife, and Margaret Sheffield came into the society soon after. This
church grew out of, and ultimately replaced, the Free Methodist. The
Revs. John Dodson and J. W. Lewis were the first pastors, and in 1870
they gave place to the Rev. O. A. Phillips. During his charge the
next year a meeting-house was built on the west side, on Division street,
and dedicated December 31 by Bishop Edwards. The sum of Sl,728
was pledged, clearing the church from debt. This house is 31:X50
feet, and cost 8^,500. Elders Snyder and Crowder came next in order
as preachers after Phillips. The Lewises have been leading members,
and Joseph Lewis was ordained in this church. The society is in a
prosperous condition.

In 1859 the Adventists organized at Binghamton with thirteen
members: D. S. Clark, S. E. Maybee, P. J. Main, Emerson Royce,
Miss Maria Steadman and others, with Wm. McCulloch and wife, Lo-
renzo Whitney and wife, and Lysander Whitney from abroad, constitut-
ing the society. One says that Rev. Calkins was the first minister,
another gives that distinction to S. E. Maybee. The earlier preachers
were A. S. Calkins, P. B. Morgan, Moses Chandler and Maybee, and
of the later ones D. S. Clark, Wm. McCulloch, Harry McCulloch, O.
D. Gibson, C. C. Marston, Frank Burr, Eldridge Burrington and S. B.
Maybee have been the most prominent. The latter officiates at the
present time. They have never built a church, but have worshiped
in town halls in Amboy. At one time they had the use of the German
Lutheran house, but their membership having fallen off from about
forty to fifteen, they now hold services at the residences of Wm. Main
and Rufus Hulbert. This denomination has held three largely at-
tended camp-meetings at Amboy. It is known by the name of Advent
Christian church.

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 843

ORGANIZATIONS.

Illinois Central Lodge, No. 178, A.F. and A.M., was organized in
July 1855, and worked under a dispensation until a charter was issued
by the grand lodge, October 3 of the same year. The following were
the charter members, and those designated the first ofiicers : J. A.
Jackson, W.M.; H. B. Jndkins, S.W.; Warren Badger, J.W.; E. S.
Reynolds, Treas.; Lemuel Bourne, Sec; L. W. Borden, S.D.; P. G.
Lyon, J.D.; John N. Brown, Tyler; David Bainter, John Stevens,
Arthur Robbins and Henry Porter. This lodge has suffered from four
fires; once or twice its property has been wholly destroyed, and in
each of the other cases it received partial damage. For an account
of these burnings the reader is referred to that subject on a previous
page. Most, if not all, the masters have been Dr. J. A. Jackson, Dr.
Harmon Wasson, E. P. ISToyes, L. W. Borden, Francis Hudson, O. F,
Warriner, A. H. Wooster, Robt. Richards, and Prof. P. M. James.
Twenty-eight members have been removed by death. The lodge is in
a flourishing condition, with a membership of about ninety. Present
ofticers: P^ M. James, W.M.; L. A. Hulbert, S.W.; Y. B. Andrus,
J.W.; W. B. Andrus, Treas.; C. P. Miller, Sec; R. D. Badger, S.D.;
P. E. Haines, J.D.; George Binns, T.; Charles Tait, S.S.; and I. S.
Smith, J.S. Regular communications are on the first and third Mon-
days of each month, in Masonic, formerly called Keeling's Hall, on
East avenue.

Amboy Lodge, No. 179, I.O.O.F., was originally instituted by Dep-
uty Grand Master Eustice, under dispensation, July 2, 1855; and Oc-
tober 12 of the same year a charter was issued to William E. Ives,
Charles B. Farwell, J. J. Condermau, Orange D. Reed, Harmon Was-
son, James H. Preston, Simon Badger, Adam Roundenbush, Henry
Roof, and Joel B. Strickland ; signed by J. E. Starr, grand master, and
S. A. Carman, grand secretary. At the first meeting the oflicers
elected for the term ending with the year were H. Wasson, N.G.;
O. D. Reed, V.G.; Alexander Martin, Sec; and C. D. Vaughan,
Treas. In addition to these J. J. Conderman, A. Roundenbush,
C. B. Farwell, J. N. Davis, S. S. Reed, H. Roof and William E. Ives
were present, and all except the latter received appointive oflices.
Applications for membership came from S. S. Reed, J. M. Davis, W.
P. Roff, Tyler Hale, and Julius Hale, and these persons were elected.
At the next meeting, on the 7th, A. Martin, H. Wasson, J. J. Conder-
man, W. E. Ives and J. H. Preston were elected trustees. The lodge
flourished until the war, when nearly half the members went into the
army, and of the remaining ones many were train men, who could
not attend the meetings with any certainty or regularity, and from
these causes, the attendance having become deplorably reduced, in Jan-

344 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

iiary, 1864, the lodge suspended for a twelvemonth, and before the close
of the year surrendered its charter and all its effects to the grand
lodge. On August 23, 1873, the lodge was rechartered with the fol-
lowing members : Robert Richards, P.G.; C. D. Yanghan, P.G.; Henry
Reals, Joseph Sackett, Jacob J. Conderman, J. H. Preston, P.G.;
Robert Geddes, P.G.; James Rosebrugh, P.G.; Jnlius Hale, P.G.;
Jacob Klein, Amiza Shoemaker, P.G.; Aaron Goldstone, P.G.; Peter
Stein, Fritz Krehl, Benedict Fessler, Frank Weise, and Herman Zolf.
An informal meeting was held on the 25th, and the result of the bal-
loting for elective officers was as follows : Aaron Goldstone, N.G.;
Robert Richards, V.G.; C. D. Vaughan, Sec, and James Rose-
brugh, Treas. On September 11 the lodge was instituted and
these officers installed. The present elective officers are Charles Weis,
N.G.; Dr. E. R. Travers, Y.G.; G. W. Doming, Rec. Sec; Aaron Gold-
stone, Treas.; Jacob Ashenbrenner, Per. Sec. The lodge meets every
Tuesday night in the spacious and beautiful hall over J. B. Graves'
hardware store, where the walls are decorated with portraits of many
of their members. During the past year $85 have been paid in funeral
benefits, and $88 in sick benefits. The membership is about ninety.

Warren Encampment, No. 122, was instituted under dispensation
at Franklin Grove, May 17, 1871, by James E. Ketchem, D.D.G.P. of
Earl Encampment, with the aid of a number of assistants. For the
term ending with the year the following were elected officers: D. H.
Spickler, C.P.; H. A. Black, II.P.; S. W. Riegles, S.W.; John Blocher,
J.W.; Josiah Graff, S.; Kincaid Runyon, Treas. At the first
meeting nine received patriarchal and golden-rule degrees, and six of
this number took the royal-purple degree. A charter was granted
October 10, to D. H. Spickler, John Blocher, William H. Bassler, H.
P. Black, S. W. Riegles, Kincaid Rnnyon, and Joseph Graff, The
last meeting held by this encampment at Franklin Grove was on Aug-
ust 5, 1879. A proposition to move it to Amboy was adopted, which
measure was immediately carried into effect, and on the 7tli the first
meeting was held in the new location. Grand Patriarch Crocker was
in the chair, and the other officers were filled by patriarchs from Paw
Paw. Petitions were received from Daniel Bull, C. E. Arnold,
Charles Randall, G. A. Doming, W. Bronson, Fay Strickland, and
L. Hegert, and these persons were elected and initiated. There is now
a membership of twenty-three. The place of meeting is in Odd-
Fellows' Hall, on the first and third Fridays of each month. Present
ofiicers: G. A. Deming, C.P.; W. J. Moseley, H.P.; A. Shoemaker,
S.W.; J. H. Preston, J.W.; Fay Strickland, S.; and B. Fassler, T.

Palestine Lodge, No. 122, A.O.U.W., was organized July 24, 1878,
with thirty-four charter members, among whom were P. M. James, J.

AMBOY TOWJNfSHIP. 345

E. Lewis, E. R. Travers, Y. B. Audriiss, C. E. Arnold, J. B. Graves
W. H. Badger, and A. E. Merwine. First officers : J. E. Lewis, P.M
W.; P. M. James, M.W.; L. A. Hulbert, F.; Y. B. Andrnss, O.; A

E. Merwine, R.; J. M. Arnold, R.; C. P. Miller, F.; P. E. Haines, G.
A. Barth, I.W.; W. C. Smith, O.W. The first trustees were C. E
Arnold, C. Hcgert, and J. B. Graves. Present officers : C. E.Arnold
M.W.; J. E. Lewis, F.; A. E. Merwine, O.; A. Hulbert, R.; D. W
Slanter, R.; C. P. Miller, F.; H. Masterman, G.; Charles Tait, LW.
Jerome Hussey, O.W. Since the organization one member has been
lost by death. Meetings are held every Wednesday evening in
Masonic Hall. Membership sixty-three, condition very prosperous.
One of the first objects of this order is mutual insurance, but sick
benefits and the social features are also of prime importance.

Friendship Council, No. 567, A.L. of H., was instituted May 6, 1881,
by R. R. Harding, of Rockford, with fifty members. The first and
present officers are Robert Richards, P.O.; L. A. Hulbert, C; C. A.
Church, Y.C.; A. E. Slanter, O.; W. H. Dean, Sec; C. P. Miller, C;

F. R. Doty, T.; Rev. N. W. Heermans, C; W. P. Barnes, G.; G.
Binns, W.; A. H. Yirgil, S. Dr. C. A. Wilcox is medical examiner,
and Dr. E. Manning, alternate. Meetings are held in Odd-Fellows'
Hall on the second and fourth Fridays of each month. This is prima-
rily a life-insurance organization, and the aggregate amount for which
the charter members are insured is $168,000. This order was
instituted in Boston, Massachusetts, three years ago ; its objects being
social and fraternal union for the purpose of extending material aid to
its members, to cultivate their minds, morals and tastes, and to estab-
lish a fund for beneficiary objects.

Lee Count}' Post, No. 65, G.A.R., was organized September 8,
1879, by Gen. Chamberlain. First officers: Col. George Ryon, C; C.
K. Dixon, S.Y.C.; Capt. Wm. Frost, J.Y.C.; A. H. Merrifield, Q.M.;
Dr. E. Manning, S.; J. H. Hazen, C; J. H. Gray, O.D.; John S.
Bitzer, O.G.; C. E. Arnold, Q.M.S.; C. Gordonier, S.M.; E. E.
Chase, A. Present officers: C. H. Ingals, C; G. E. Young, S.Y.C.;
R. Warriner, J.Y.C.; C. K. Dixon, C.rE. Manning, S.; C. E. Arnold,
Q.M.; J. Bitzer, O.D.; J. Carr, O.G.; L. A. Hulbert, A. Stated
meetings are on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, in
Masonic Hall. This post was organized with thirty-five ex-soldiers,
and the present number is seventy-two. Interest in the meetings has
greatly declined. The first post instituted in Amboy went down
several years ago.

On the 14tli February, 1879, an independent organization was
formed in Amboy bearing the name of United States Pensioners' Aid
Protective Association, composed of about ten veteran pensioners, with
21

346 HISTORY OF LEE OOTJjN'TY.

the following officers: C. K. Northriip, C; P. Diinsuiore, V.C.; C. A.
Getty, Sec; H. S. Morrow, Treas.; J. H. Hazen, C; E. Tonrtlott, S.
at A.; Joseph Carr, S. The objects of this association were expressed
in its name ; but after a short trial it was found that the pensioners
were too few and the objects too limited to give it stability, and
accordingly on the 17th of October a radical change was made in the
organization, enlarging its scope and making its features more attract-
ive and valuable. The names of the offices, but not the officers, were
changed, Mr, Hazen and Mr. Getty, assisted somewhat by others,
originated the secret work of the new order, which was called Our
Country's Defenders, and also prepared the charter and the constitu-
tion. The headquarters were removed to Chicago in November 1880.
The order has extended into Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin,
Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, New York, and New Hampshire ; and in
some of these states there are state encampments. Generals Grant,
Logan, Governor Beveridge, and others of repute, have given this
organization their heart}' indorsement. The subordinate camp at
Amboy, designated as Wyman Encampment No. 1, has been in exist-
ence since the creation of the order. Its regular meetings are on the
second and fourth Fridays, and the gatherings were formerly in the
reading room. There are about twenty-five members, and the condi-
tion of the camp is not altogether flattering. The present officers are
M. T. Spencer, C; E. J. Post, L.; L. A. Hulbert, A.; Col. George
Ryon, S.; J. H. Hazen, C: R. Pose, O.D.; Thos. Meacham, O.G.;
E. Dunsmore, C. of O.

In 1863 the Brotherhood of the Footboard, an association of
locomotive engineers to elevate their standing as such and their char-
acter as men, and for mutual insurance and assistance in sickness and
distress, was instituted at Detroit. Its prosperity very soon waned
throughout the country ; and then it was reorganized at Indianapolis,
August IT, 1861, the anniversary of its establishment, under the style
of the Grand International Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
A division was formed in Amboy subordinate to the Brotherhood of
the Footboard, but it was short-lived. A charter was issued to I. R.
Patterson, December 25, 1865, with power to organize Amboy division
No. 1, and on January 8 following a meeting was convened, at wdiich
B. C. Howard, chief engineer of Centralia division, presided. S. L.
Peters and others from Aurora division assisted. The initiates were
J. W. Howe, S. Hoisted, W. B. Trude, F. Westcott, S. C. Huff, C.
Putnam, C. H. Marston, Pat Allen, and D. Reynolds. The following
were also the first officers: C. H. Marston, C.E. ; F. Westcott, F.E. ;
J, W. Howe, S.E.; I. R. Patterson, F.A.E. ; C. Putnam, S.A.E. ; and
AY. B. Trude, T.A.E. At the second meeting, on the 15tli, J. Hath-

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 347

awR}', A. McCall, C. Randall, and H. McGraw, old membei-s, joined
the division, and P. Battles was initiated. The present officers are
J. Shaw, C.E. ; (vacant) F.E. ; F. Weise, S.E. ; O. Comstock, F.A.E. ;
A. Armstrong, S.A.E. ; Wra. Stine, T.A.E. ; G. Bustick, G. ; and C.
IIj Rosier, C. R. Rosier, chief engineer, a highly esteemed man, died
February 17, 1881, and Mr. Shaw was elected to his place, leaving the
office of first engineer vacant. The members number thirty-six, and
the division is in a flourishing condition. Meetings are held on the
second and fourth Sunday afternoons.

The charter of Amboy Lodge, No. 35, of the Brotherhood of Loco-
motive Firemen, was granted January 19, 1879, to Titus Hinchcliff",
Henry Williams, Wm. H. Dean, Thomas Hinchclifl", Harry Luscombe,
W. M. Palmer, Henry Schermerhorn, I. M. Farris, Garrett H. King,
Abe Schermerhorn, C. R. Rosier, and Wm. Linsea. This lodge was
organized by John Walsh, of Capital Lodge, of Springfield, with eight
members. The first elective officers were Titus Hinchcliff", M. ; Henry
Williams, V.M. ; W. H. Dean, R.S.; Wm. Palmer, F.S. ; Thomas
Hinchcliff", T. Present officers: W. H. Dean, M. ; C. R. Rosier,
Y.M.; F. H. Schermerhorn, R. S. ; C. R. Rosier, F. S. ; Thomas
Hinchcliff', T. The lodge embraces twenty-six members, and is enjoy-
ing a period of much prosperity. Stated meetings are on the first and
third Sundays, in Engineers' Hall. The order is designed for social
improvement, and provides a system of insurance, and organized
mutual assistance to members and their families.

In 1867 the conductors formed a union, and in 1868 it was changed
to division No. 1 of the Conductors' Brotherhood, a charter being
granted August 4. In its last state it was a benevolent association,
but its existence was of brief duration.

Division No. 1, A.O.H., was organized September 26, 1875, by
John D. Neill, of LaSalle, with a membership of thirty. It holds
regular meetings and is in fair condition.

One of the most thoughtful sources of public intelligence is a good
circulating library. The Illinois Central Railroad Company, with
that interest in the welfare and improvement of its employes for
which it is noted, early conceived the design of providing books for
the use of such as would avail themselves of the privilege, and accord-
ingly established in Chicago a library of nearly 2,000 volumes. In the
winter of 1864-5 the books were divided and removed from that city,
one-half being sent to Centralia and the other to Amboy. Here was
formed the Illinois Central Library Association, composed at first
exclusively of employes of the company, but to which others were
afterward admitted ; not on equal terms, however, but by paying an
annual fee double that of the railroad men, and being deprived, besides,

348 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

of all voice in its management and in the choice of officers. As was
snre to be the case, this discrimination, though not unsupported by
very plausible reasons, bred, or rather at once made, two parties, a con-
dition not calculated to deepen interest or increase harmony, ISTotwith-
standing, the association flourished and the books were much used,
while the company for a number of years paid the rents and the
librai'ian. At length, funds and more books being wanted, an excur-
sion to Dunleith and Dubuque, under the auspices of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union, was planned, and was liberally en-
couraged by the general superintendent, E. D. Jeffrey, who had been
more instrumental, perhaps, than any other man in originating the
library. The excursion took place in August 1869, and the net returns
amounted to $G13.45. Thus improved in condition, the association
bought more books, which inspired fresh interest. But this did not
last long, and when the apparent concern of the members, or a large
majority of them, had disappeared, late in 1872 the company discon-
tinued the allowance for rent. It languished nntil the early part of
18Y5, when Mr. J. C. Jacobs, division superintendent, who had not
only taken from the start a leading personal interest in the success of
the library', but because of his position was clothed with a certain
responsibility for its care and use, proposed a reorganization under the
laws of the state. This meeting with favor, it was incorporated, April
2, 1875, with the name of the Amboy Library Association, Mr. Jacobs
being named in the charter as president, E. Hull as librarian and
secretary, and Josiah Little as treasurer. Messrs. Jacobs, Little, Hull,
L. T. Moore and Lemuel Bourne, upon the advice of the railroad em-
ployes who were members of the old organization, were selected as
trustees. On March 18, 1876, the trustees adopted a constitution and
by-laws, which put all members on an equality. On October 3,
1877, the association ran an excursion to Dubuque and cleared $963.
Altogether there have been two hundred dollars' worth of books
purchased and added to the original stock, besides the donation of a
lot from New York; and now there are 755 volumes of standard
works on history, biography, science and fiction. The library is kept
in the reading room over W. B. Andruss & Son's store, and is open at
stated times throughout the week. The membership numbers 93. The
librarian, Mrs. M. L. Knowles, has been in charge about a year, and
the present prosperity is due very largely to her exertions and her devo-
tion to the interests of the association. Mr. L. T. Moore, too, has
labored with especial zeal for its success. The board of trustees remains
the same as at first, except that Mr. W. E. Ives has succeeded Mr.
Hull. Mr. Jacobs is still president.

The Old Settlers' Association of Lee county organized and held

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 349

its first gathering in 1873. W. IT. Haskell, of " The Amboj Journal,"
in the issue of November 16, 1872, commenced agitating the subject,
and continued it until a meeting was had on the 22d of February in
the city council room at^Amboy ; J. B. Tuttle presided, and Mr. Has-
kell acted as secretary. Wednesday, Jnne 4, 1873, was designated as
the day for the old settlers' meeting to be held at this city, and a com-
mittee of arrangements was appointed. At the time iixed about 200
gathered to greet old friends, renew acquaintance and exchange remi-
niscences. Speeches were made, and otherwise the features were those
of an ordinary picnic. A committee was appointed, composed of one
member from each township, making a total of twenty-two, with C.
F. Ingals as chairman and W. H. Haskell as secretary. The second an-
nual reunion, held also at Amboy, on June 18, 1874, was a decided suc-
cess, over 2,000 people being present. The venerable Father Dixon
occupied a seat on the stand, where he received the congratulations of
fi'iends and the respects of the multitude. Col. John Dement delivered
an address on this occasion, and was elected president for the ensuing
year. Mr. Haskell was continued secretary of the executive commit-
tee. The third annual meeting was held again at Amboy, June 19 of
the following year, and Dr. Charles Gardner was chosen president. In
1876 the association met at Dixon, and Col. Dement was again chosen
president and Mr. Haskell secretary. June 22 was the day of the
gathering. At this time a cane made from Black Hawk's pirogue was
presented to Col. Dement as an appropriate surprise. Removal of the
files of "The Journal" from the office to be bound prevents a further
connected account of this organization. The reunion this year (1881)
was at Amboy, on the 1st of September. The grove belonging to the
city is the meeting-place, and Dr. C. E. Loomis is present secretar3^

At a meeting of the citizens of Amboy and vicinity, held Novem-
ber 5, 1856, Prairie Repose Cemetery Association was organized, and
the following persons were elected ofiicers : Joseph Farwell, president;
M. L. Arnold, secretary and treasurer, and J. F. Powers, C A. Wall
and Jacob Luce directors. This board was instructed to purchase from
Harvey Barrel four acres in a square, in the northwest corner N.W. ^
of IST.W. ^ Sec. 15 in this township, for $600. This was done, and the
ground laid out in lots, with three driveways from east to west, and
alleys of four feet width from north to south between the lots. Thei^e
are 442 of these lots 10x20 feet, besides 60 on the north end 10x26
feet, used for a Potter's field. The following soldiers, some of whom
died on the battle-field and others after their return home, are buried
in this cemetery: Wm. H. Arnold, Co. A, 111th N. Y. Vols. ; Frank
D. Brown, Co. F, 75th 111. Vols. ; Edward W. Bull, Co. I, 89th 111.
Vols. ; C. E. Blanchard (regiment unknown), John Burrington, Co. D,

350 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

46th 111. Vols.; Albion Comstoek, Co. I, 89th 111. A'ols.; Wm. H.
Curly, Co. C, 13th 111. Vols.; J. M. Crampton, Co. I, 31st Mass. Vols.;
C. H. Daw (regiment unknown), C. A. Harper (regiment unknown),
Harrison Hale (regiment unknown), Cyrus D. Lyman, Co. E, 7th 111.
Cav.; H. H. Morey, Co. C, 89th 111. Vols.; John Madden, Co. D, 46th
111. Vols.; James A. McGary (regiment unknown), Frank H. Mellen,
Co. A, 89tli 111. Vols.; Albert W. Preston, Co. E, 140th HI. Vols., and
Henry Sanger, 2d Me. Vols., honorably discharged therefrom, and in
1863 reenlisted in the 52d or 57th 111. Vols. The present officers of
this association are John C. Church, president; Wm. B. Andruss, sec-
retary and treasurer; Wm. T. French, Henry T. Ford and Wm. E.
Ives, directors.

Although the Lee County Agricultural Society is now extinct, it
was once so prominent an institution that it requires some mention.
It was organized in 1854, and incorporated in July 1857. The third
annual fair was in Amboy, in 1856, and from that time this was the
regular place for holding the exhibitions. In 1858 grounds were
leased in Farwell's addition for a term of five years, and buildings
erected thereon. The society ceased to be of any public usefulness
after the expiration of this lease. In 1863 a fair was held, or attempted
to be held, but it was a failure. There was a rival society in Dixon,
and overtures were made by each looking to consolidation, but whether
it was ever efi:ected we are not informed. At all events it did not have
the support of Ambo}^, and so far as this place is concerned the active
history of the society ends during the time of the war. J. B. Wyman,
C. F. Ingals and R. N. Woods were presidents, and Josiah Little, jST.
S. Chase and H. G. Pratt were secretaries.

TEMPERANCE WORK AND THE DEMAND FOR IT.

At the beginning of the year 1867 there were nine licensed saloons,
seven sold intoxicating liquors and two retailed beer. Tliis was not an
unusual number, 1)ut about the average for many years. These dens
made men shameless, brutal, vagrant, and dangerous. Drunkenness
and its concomitant routs, fraj's, thefts, insults, deadly accidents and
blood-shedding became almost too familiar for comment. Ladies upon
the street were obliged to push their way through maudlin, ribald
crowds, and unoffending citizens were never safe from being set upon
and beaten by cowardly gangs of drunken roughs, for such offenses
were not uncommon.

During the year succeeding the war no less than five attempts were
made to burn the business part of the city. Add to these public an-
noyances and dangers all the disgrace, orphanage, unseen woe and

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 351

social wretchedness, and it will be seen that there was strong moving
cause for temperance work.

To overcome as much as possible these licensed, alarming evils,
many cooperative temperance and total-abstinence efforts have been
started and maintained, until periodical apathy would strangle them to
death or neutralize their influence. We can only briefly refer to the
principal ones. The first organized movement to " suppress the un-
lawful sale of ardent spirits and gambling " was the " Carson League."
A. meeting of the inhabitants, attended by many of the leading men
of the place, was held on February 4, 1856, in the Baptist church, and
a constitution and by-laws common to this form of organization were
adopted. Alonzo Kinyon filled the chair and J. F. Pirie acted as sec-
retary. The business was conducted by twelve directors, whose duties
were to attend to the enforcement of the law. The first board con-
sisted of D. S. Clark, E. M. Brigham, J. Clark, E. H. Mellon, J. D.
Weddell, John Dexter, W. E. Ives, J. F. Powers, A. E. Wilcox, H.
M. Taylor, A. Kinyon and C. Bridgman. Stock was taken to the
amount of $600,000, and those subscribing gave what was called stock
notes, on which the directors were authorized to make assessments " to
defray the expenses of the league," which included the expenses of
prosecutions. This league existed about two years.

We find it stated in " The Times," in 1858, that the Sons of Tem-
perance and Good Templars were meeting in the same hall with the
Masons and the Odd-Fellows. The lodge of Good Templars was or-
ganized in the spring of that year, but its existence was not long con-
tinued. After this had lapsed, in January 1862, a lodge of this order
was started at Binghamton. In March a " section of the Cadets of
Temperance" was instituted in Am boy for the training and instruction
of the youth. Amboy Lodge, No. 646, was organized in November
1865, and enjoyed a tolerable lease of life. Friendship Lodge, No.
512, was started in October 1870. Organizations of a transient char-
acter have been formed at times to arouse the slumbering sense of the
people when urgent labors were necessary to carry elections, and other-
wise to checkmate the debauching alcoholic interest.

Eeform division. No. 555, Sons of Temperance, was organized
February 21, 1862, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Division of Illi-
nois, E. D. Lamoine, of Paw Paw, being Grand Worthy Patriarch, and
Geo. L. Moore, of Lebanon, Grand Scribe. Charter members: W. H.
Tousley, N. T. Pratt, W. B. Andruss, C. P. Miller, F. I. Foot, Wm.
H. Hayward, John Carter, jr., M. Gilleas, Chas. A. Allen, D. C. Udell,
J. A. Scollay, W. C. Sears, D. C. Graham, D. B. Wall, Chas. E. Ives
and Samuel E. Appleton. The division has had its days of prosperity
— when high tide came and multitudes floated in, — and of adversity —

352 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

when tlie tide ebbed away, and those of least principle or will-power
dropped out ; but a few have always held on to the good craft. The
period of greatest prosperity was in 1876 and 1877, during and since
which time over 200 have been initiated. This division, with the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, organized in December 1876,
and the Red Ribbon Club, organized in 1877, worked in harmony to-
gether, the reading-room over the store of W. B. Andruss & Son being
their headquarters. The club has ceased as an organization, leaving
the other two bodies still doini,^ effective work. Present officers : Mrs.
Daniel Bull, W.P.; Mrs. C. W. Bell, W.A.; Daniel/Bull, R. S.; Miss
Emma Sleeper, A.R.S.; Wm. B. Andruss, F.S.; Edgar Miller, Treas.;
Rev. N. A. Reed, D.D., Chaplain ; B. B. Howard, C; Mrs. A. Los-
sie, A.C.; Mrs. M. J. Mingle, I.S.; C. W. Bell, O.S., and C. W. Dera-
ing, P.W.F. Representatives to the grand division : C. W. Deming,
E. Miller, C. P. Miller, W. B. Andruss, J. S. Oleson, C. W. Bell, Rev.
Dr. N. A. Reed, G. W. Mingle, Mrs. M. J. Mingle, Daniel Bull, Mrs.
Daniel Bull and B. B. Howard ; of these Messrs. Andruss and Deming
are representatives of the Grand Division of Illinois to the National
Division of North America.

"On November 19, 1876, a few ladies who had attended the state
annual convention at Dixon, and returned with hearts quickened to
the need of gospel temperance work in their midst, extended an invi-
tation by the various pulpits to all interested in temperance to meet
Tuesday afternoon, November 21, in the Baptist church, to organize a
Woman's Christian Temperance Union." A committee was named to ob-
tain a good lecturer, and another to collect funds from the citizens to pay
the expense of the lecture-course. Prayer-meetings were appointed to
move the hearts of the people in the new work, and three of those
were held in the Methodist church. Volunteer laborers having come
forward, on December 2 a called meeting was held in the Congrega-
tional parlor to district the city, so that the canvassers could go to
work soliciting members and mone3\ Their success was very encour-
aging. Mrs. Foster, of Iowa, was engaged, and gave three lectures on
December 17, 18 and 19, and then it w^as decided to organize, which
was done in the Baptist church on the last day mentioned. The officers
chosen were Mrs. Mingle, president; Mrs. Yaughan, Mrs. Poland and
Mrs. Badger, vice-presidents; Mrs. Williams, recording secretary;
Mrs. Chase, corresponding secretary, and Mrs. Reagan, treasurer. Tlie
standing committees Avere : on reading-room, Mrs. Andruss, Mrs. Mil-
ler, Mrs. Poland, Mrs. Williams ; on public work, Mrs. Battis ; on lit-
erature, Mrs. Chase ; on statistics, Mrs. Reagan ; on finance, Mrs. Miller.
Most untiring and zealous endeavors have been put forth by these
christian women to secure a ripe harvest of good works in the com-

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 353

munity, and their hands have been royally upheld by the citizens. The
Union occnpies the cheerful and tastefully furnished hall over the
hardware store of W. B. Andrnss & Son, on Main street. Gospel
meetings are held here every Sabbath afternoon under the auspices of
the Union. These ladies inaugurated a free reading-room, and dedi-
cated the hall to the high objects of social, religious and intellectual
culture, with devotional and literary exercises on April 17, 1877. The
Library Association uses tbe same hall, holding under the Union.

The Father Matthew Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society,
founded by P. A. Boland and named in honor of the great Irish bene-
factor and apostle of temperance, is an independent body chartered by
the state, and was organized December 15, 1872. It has sixty mem-
bers and is in a flourishing condition. This is a valuable auxiliary to
the reform movement.

Banner Temple, No. 24, of the United Order of Ancient Templars,
was organized in August, 1889, with thirty -four members, and was
chartered October 21. Present officers : Lee Cronkrite, T. ; Mrs. C. A.
Bartlett, P.T. ; Frank Almy, Y.T. ; Frank Marrow, R. ; Mrs. Ford,
A.R. ; H. T. Ford, F. ; H. ShurtlefF, C. ; Miss Fisher, M. ; (vacant)
A.M. ; Mrs. Henry T. Ford, T. ; Mrs. Trainer, W. ; Mr. Skinner, G.
Meetings are held on Monday nights in Odd-Fellows' Hall. This order
furnishes insurance to its members, and embraces as compi'ehensive
objects as any of the benevolent associations.

JOURNALISM IN AMBOY.

Under this caption the "Amboy Journal" of April 11, 1871:,
narrates its own history to that date in the subjoined sketch :

"In May or June, 1855, the 'Amboy Printing Association' was
formed, which secured the publication of the ' Lee County Times,' witli
Augustus ISToel Dickens, a brother of the author Charles Dickens, as
editoi". So far as we can learn the stockholders were A. Kinyon, W,
E. Ives, John L. Skinner, John B. Wyman, H. B, Judkins, W. B.
Stuart. August 1, 1855, as appears by a bond in our possession, one
H. B. Judkins bound himself in the sum of $200 to said association
in consideration of the transfer of the press, etc., to publish or cause
to be published the said 'Lee County Times' for the space of one
year. Volume 1, number 33, was issued February 7, 1856, by H. G.
Pratt as editor and proprietor, and this is the oldest paper on our files.
Volume 1, number 41, w^as issued as the 'Amboy Times,' by Cottrell &
Pratt, April 3, 1856 ; and that name was continued for ten years, or
until volume 11, number 18, published by GofF & Shaw, February 8,
1866. In the meantime, however, publishers had succeeded each other
in the following order: Cottrell, Pratt & Miller; Cottrell, Pratt &

354 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Somes; Pratt & Co. (John Lewis, James F. Somes); Pratt, Shaw &
Co, (Joseph Lewis); Gardner, Shaw & Lewis; and Pratt & Shaw.
When Gotf & Shaw issued volume 1, number 1, of the 'Lee County
Journal,' February 25, 1866, they called it the 'new series,' and
dropped the record of the eleven years and twenty weeks of a news-
paper issue from the same office. This course we consider unwise, and
propose now to remedy by calling the present issue of the 'Journal'
volume 19, number 1.

"Burrington & Shaw published the 'Lee County Journal' from
February, 1867, to December, 1867, when we find a card published
giving notice that they would suspend the issue of any paper for two
w^eeks, because of the want of payments and patronage on the part of
business men and subscribers. From January 16 to December 24,
1868, B. F. Shaw was editor and proprietor.

" Some graceless scamp has stolen the files from the last date to
January 6, 1870, when we find the paper issued by Stimson & Corbns
nntil March 10, when the thief, or the most improvident publishers,
again leave us no files up to September; when Wm. Parker changed
the name to the one now used, and continued its publication for just
two years, to September 6, 1872, when we [W. H. Haskell] bought
the ' Journal,' paid ofi" its mortgages, began to improve the paper and
increase its circulation, having gained 200 subscril)ers in nineteen
months without especial eff'ort at solicitation."

On October 15, 1879, Mr. Haskell sold the office to E. W. Faxon
& Co., and on February 1, 1881, Dr. C. E. Loomis, of Lee Center,
purchased it and is the present editor and proprietor. The paper has
always been republican in politics.

TORNADO.
The great tornado of 1860 occurred on Sunday, June 3. It began
its ravages as far west as Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and gathering force as
it proceeded, left a track of death and desolation behind. In the
vicinity of Clinton twenty-five persons were killed. The town of
Comanche, on the Iowa side of the Mississippi, \vas totally destroyed ;
and Albany, on the Illinois side, shared nearly the same fate. In the
two places the killed and wounded reached not fewer than 125 persons.
The towns of Lyndon and Mount Pleasant, in Whiteside county, suf-
fered severely, and in the neighborhood of Morrison and Sterling
about a dozen were killed and a larger number wounded. From the
point w^here the hurricane struck this county to Bradford township it
spared nothing in its course. Trees, crops, stock, fences and buildings
were swept away with terrific fury, and numbers of persons, not a few
frightfully mangled, were killed outright, while a still larger number

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 355

sustained different degrees of injury. In its progress onward from
Bradford it alternately raised and lowered, leaving evidences of its
violence at intervals. Its track was about forty rods wide, and the
ground over which it passed had tiie appearance of having been swept
by a mighty torrent. In its twistings and whirlings it described a
zigzag course, with arms and angles jutting out at short distances.
The general direction was from west to east through Amboy, about a
mile south of the north line of the township. The first casualty was
the serious injury of a man named Emmet, his wife, two children, and
a hired man, who were living in a house owned by E. B. Stiles. The
building was demolished. The next place visited east of this was Mr.
Morse's. His house was destroyed, and Mrs. Morse was hurled five
rods and disemboweled. She survived in this horrible condition about
an hour. Mr. Morse was despaired of for some time, but finally
recovered and is now living. One of the sons was slightl}' injui-ed,
another dangerously, and a daughter had both legs broken and died.
James Rosbrugh's farm, occupied by Edward Sacket, was next in the
track. The house, barn and blacksmith shop, were carried entirely
away ; and all the family of five persons seriously and some danger-
ously injured. F. H. Northway's buildings suffered total wreck. The
family were taken up with the house into the air, but fortunately all
escaped with the exception of cuts, bruises and broken ribs. A boulder
weighing a quarter of a ton was lifted at this place and carried ten
rods. From here the storm headed more northerly, and John Crombie's
house shared the general ruin ; one of his little children was killed,
and another was so hurt that it barely recovered. Lyman Bixby's
family took refuge in their cellar half a minute before the tempest
reached them and were saved, though the house and barn went to
atoms. Farther north James Moffat's house was unroofed ; and cuts and
bruises, from which no one was exempted, were the extent of injuries
here. R. D. Peironnet lost his barn, back kitchen and outbuildings.
A traveler, who had stopped at a vacant building near, and had the
calves of his legs nearly torn off, was at once brought to Mr. P.'s for
care. Onward the destroying force went to Isaac Gage's; but we
shall let Mr. Gage tell his own fearful story of loss and bereaveuK-iit
in the picturesque account which he has given of this calamity, and un
which we mainl}' rely for adequate description. P. D. La Forge's
handsome residence was partly unroofed, a back kitchen blown away,
and his barn rent to pieces.

From this point we prefer Mr. Gage's striking statement of his
personal experiences at the supreme instant of disaster, and of his inti-
mate knowledge of the ravages made in his neighborhood and to the
eastward. It was published in the Amboy " Journal " February T, 187-1.

356 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

"This wind storm, called a tornado, struck onr house on the eve of
June 3, 1860, about nine o'clock. It being Sabbath evening we had
retired rather earl}-^, and I soon fell asleep to be awakened by a terrible
crash as of thunder, seemingly without a cause. For the next instant
it was so still one could have heard a pin fall in any part of the house,
bat for a moment only; then, sir, there was a sound which I shall
ever fail to describe, but I will give the best version my poor
mind can. It was not thunder, and though it lasted but a moment
it shook the earth for miles around. Another moment and every-
thing was as still as death ; then instantly carac the grand crash,
and we were in the elements. ISTow it is partly by sight and
partly by feeling that I shall attempt to describe what took place.
1 jumped out of bed and grasped the door-handle to go for our chil-
dren, but could not open the door. Suddenly it opened and knocked
me down on one knee, and violently dragged or shoved me about five
feet out of doors to the ground, while the house and my four boys
went into the air far above my head; some of the furniture, or some
portion of the house, struck me in the back and passed on. This con-
fused state of things lasted perhaps five minutes, I should think not
longer, and then out came the moon as bright as day ; it seemed as if
it wanted to show us what desolation and destruction had been done.
Here and there lay heaps of rubbish, parts of the liouse and some parts
of the furniture, all broken small enough for stove wood, and onlj^
three out of seven of our family were able to see this ruin. Some
were dead, and some were not conscious of anything that was going
on, though yet alive. A twin boy of eleven years had his life literally
whipped out of him; he was dead when found. My eldest, a boy of
seventeen, was carried through the air and debris the distance of sixty
rods or over, and was so bruised that his entire person after a few hours
became perfectly pulp-like, resembling a blood-blister. He lived, how-
ever, until the seventh day, in the most wonderful agony. Most of
the time he la}^ seemingly unconscious.

" The rest of the bo\'s were not carried so far away. When we found
m}^ youngest son the little fellow looked most horrible, not a scrap of
clothing on him save the collar of his shirt; his head was cut and
bruised, and his body so bloody and dirty that we could scarcely see
any human shape to him. We picked him and his little dead brother
up about twelve rods from where the liouse had stood a few moments
before.

"When we went to bed that evening a large kettle that would hold
a barrel or more was standing under the eaves of the house, full of
water ; it was taken up and carried high enough to strike the corner
of the barn about twelve feet from the ground, and there it sat where

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 357

the barn stood with two or three pailfuls of water in it yet. In the
debris of the barn lay a young stable horse ; when first seen he was on
his back with the timbers piled upon and about him six feet high, and
one large piece lay across his neck and held him down so firmly that
he could not stir.

" From this point on in a southeast direction the surface of the earth
was covered wuth bits of everything in the shape of fence rails, boards,
timbers, etc. All seemed to have been carried with so great force that
they were driven into the ground from three inches to one foot or
more. One stick, thirteen feet long and about ten inches square, was
taken over 100 rods from my house and thrust into the earth ten feet,
at an angle of forty-five degrees. It seems that the air must have been
full of every conceivable tiling, parts of wagons and buggies and
goods from the house were literally torn to fragments and scattered
abroad. Before the storm I had two lumber wagons, after it I had
only two wheels left.

"After leaving my place it struck Mr. Lorenzo "Wood's, there it en-
tirely demolished the buildings (and they were many), but carried
away nothing very heavy, except a few sheep that were transported
something near twenty miles. His papers were found by honest men
and returned. I think there were none on Mr. Wood's farm seriously
hurt, unless it was a tenant family [the Felties] who were lifted house
and all into the air and carried in a southwesterly direction over the
line fence into my field, and there caught by another current and
carried in a circle back into the same field that they started from, mak-
ing a distance of about fifty rods before the house was torn to pieces.
Its course could be traced for weeks after, for in places the corners of
the house struck into the earth, and in others the building dragged
along and made large holes as if several wagon-loads of soil had been
removed, and then elevated itself, no one knows how high, before
coming to the final crash. As I said before, this family were some-
what hurt, but I think they all survived. One of the men who were
in this house told me afterward that when it was in motion the stove
rolled over the room like a ball, and all their furniture, with them-
selves, was pitched and tumbled about fearfully. At this point it
seemed to reach out to the north about twenty rods and take in a Mr.
Preston, who owned and lived on the Chadwick farm. It demolished
all his buildings, and carried him with two of his children out through
the tree-tops and landed them several rods from where they started
unharmed, save some flesh wounds ; but his only a son, a little boy,
was killed outright. From there it passed on, devastating everything
in its wa}^, until it struck Mr. Martin Wright's. It cleared him out,
tearing down everything in its course, and threw him and his wife's

358 HISTORY OF LEE OOUI^TY.

sister up into some trees, broke out a large piece of the lady's jaw-
bone, taking with it the teeth, and so nearly killed Mr. "Wright that
his life was despaired of for a long time. Both finally recovered, while
Mrs. Wright, who was in the house at the same time and not hurt at
all, died in less than ten days, as it was supposed, from fright. The
cyclone moved from here to Mr. John Lane's, destroying everything,
but killing no one. From this point it left Amboy township and
visited the corner of Lee Center, passing into Bradford, doing serious
damage to Mr. Darwin Woodruifs farm, lifting up his house and
dashing it to fragments instantly, so injuring the inmates that they
were taken up for dead, but they all recovered. Beyond this point for
some miles it did little harm; but fourteen miles distant it descended,
leaving articles taken from this neighborhood, and so lowering at
intervals to deal out destruction; its force did not seem to abate until
it reached Lake Michigan."

The many admirers of the late Col. Wyman will thank the Hon.
B. H. Trusdell for the following graceful memoir of their lamented
friend :

John B. Wyman, oldest of ten children, of Scotch ancestry, M'as
boi'u July 12, 1817 ; and was educated at a select school at Bolton, and
at the public schools of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. At the age of
fourteen he ceased study altogether under the direction of tutors; and
in view of his liberally practical acquirements in later life, may be
said in truth to have been a thoroughly self-made man. Having quit
school, he became employed in a clothing store in Shrewsbury ; and in
1838, as a partner in a mercantile firm, opened the first ready-made cloth-
ing store in Cincinnati, Ohio. He remained in that citj^two years, and
then returned to his native state to become a member of a firm en-
gaged in the dry-goods business. At that time he was married to
Miss Maria Bradley. In 1846 he was general clerk in the Springfield
car and engine shops, and afterward superintended the construction of
cars. He was a conductor on the New York and New Haven railroad
in 1850, and subsequently superintendent of the Connecticut River
railroad. In 1852 he entered the service of the Illinois Central Rail-
road Company, and assisted in the survey and construction under
Col. R. B. Mason, general superintendent and engineer. He was first
employed on the branch, but in 1853 was transferred to the main line,
and accepted the superintendency of the north division. At the
earliest moment he acquired an interest in Amboy and laid out
W3'man's addition, and we may almost call him the father of the city.
He settled permanentl}^ in the place on the completion of the passen-
ger house, of which he was proprietor some time. He was twice
mayor of Amboy, and the first incumbent of the otfice. His second

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 359

term was in 1860. Col. Wyman was fond of military life, and when
a very yonng man trained in a rifle company in Sbrewsbnry. He was
a member of the City Guards of Worcester, and later still in life
captain of the Chicago Light Guards. On the breaking out of the
war he was appointed assistant adjutant-general of Illinois, and ren-
dered valuable aid in mustering into the service the first six regiments.
He recruited at Amboy, Co. C, 13th reg. 111. Yols., and on the organiza-
tion of the regiment was elected colonel. He served in the southwest
and was mortally wounded at Chichasaw Bayou, December 28, 1862,
while directing the movements of his command. When Lieut-Col.
Gorgas and others rushed to his assistance he said : " For God's sake,
colonel, leave me and attend to those men."

His remains were brought to his home in Amboy, and a vast con-
course witnessed the imposing funeral ceremonies. He was buried in
Prairie Repose Cemetery, Amboy, but was afterward reinterred in
Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, where the privates and non-commissioned
oflScers of his regiment, by whom he was much loved, erected a hand-
some monument to his memory, at a cost of $1,300.

Col. Wyman was of medium statue, faultless physique, and dashing,
captivating manners. He was a gallant, chivalrous gentleman in civil
as well as military life. His looks and bearing elicited admiration, his
noble qualities insured love and respect. He responded instantly to
his country's call, and hoped to leave a deathless name inscribed high
on the roll of its most glorious defenders. He met death in the morn-
ing of his career, too soon for his own and his country's good, but he
met it face to face while leading his brave soldiers in a desperate
assault.

He planted the seeds of glory, but died ere the full harvest ; but
while he was not permitted to give his name to the world, yet it will
ever be cherished by all who knew his worth. It has been said of him
that "he was as unsellish patriot and gallant soldier as ever drew
blade or mounted horse." It may also be said that in all the rela-
tions of civil life, as citizen, husband, father, friend, he leaves without

spot or blemish.

" Green be the turf above thee,
Thou good, and true, and brave.
None knew thee but to love thee,
Nor named thee but to praise."

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Joseph B. Appleton (deceased). Among the many well-known
and influential families of New England the Appletons occupy a high
place. Their genealogical record extends back to John Appleton, of
Waldingfleld, England, who was living in the year 1396 ; and from

360 HISTOKY OF LEE COUNTY.

the same source we learn that "Samuel Appleton, the common
ancestor, so far as known, of all the name in New England,
emigrated from Waldingtield, in the county of Suffolk, England,
in the year 1635." From him have sprung many distinguished
names in the business, professional and literary walks of life.
The subject of this notice was born in Dublin, New Hampshire,
March 10, 1819, and was put to the mercantile business, in which his
father was engaged. His health gave way under confinement, and he
was advised to turn his attention to farming. The Great West then
offered inviting fields, and about 18-12 he came to Illinois, stopping on
his way at Batavia, New York, and teaching school awhile. His
cousin, Cyrus Davis, was living at Dixon then, as he is at the present
time. Mr. Appleton bought the E. -| of N.W. i of Sec. 22, Amboy
township, from the Sawyers, who had squatted on it, and this is now a
part of Gilson's addition to the city of Amboy. He tarried here thir-
teen months, and then returned east; in his absence the land in this
township came into market, and to save it for Mr. Appleton, Cyrus
Davis bought it from the government and conveyed it to him on his
arrival in 1811. He afterward became the owner of five other
"forties." When Amboy was started he entered into an arrangement
with Gilson & Ransom, of La Salle, by which they were to lay out the
tract above described into lots, and sell them, reserving only block
eleven, where Mr. Sleeper lives, and which is known as " the Appleton
place." Mr. Appleton was married on September 17, 1844, to Miss
Abbie H. Hunt, of New Ipswich, New Hampshire. She was born in
Dublin, in that state, December 11, 1820. Her father was clothier
and did business in Dublin, and afterward in Jefl-'rey, where he died in
1866. Four children were the fruits of this union: Samuel E., Abbie
E., Maria N., Isaac J. and Julia A. The latter died August 17, 1855,
and Mr. Appleton on September 28 following. Mr. Appleton was
one of the foremost citizens of the township, and held office at different
times. His widow was married to Dr. True P. Sleeper, February 5,
1856, and by this marriage twins have been born : Anna A. and Emma
A. Dr. Sleeper is a native of St. Albans, Maine, where he was born
March 31, 1821. He prepared for the practice of medicine in Harvard
University, and followed his profession six years in Maine. He was
married in 1852, to Miss Emma Mitchell, who died of cholera in
Bureau county, Illinois, only ten days after his arrival in the state.
He has practiced medicine and dentistry most of the time since he has
lived here.

Samuel E. Appleton, dry-goods salesman, Amboy, was born on the
site of Amboy September 7, 1845, and was the son of Joseph B. and
Abbie H. Appleton. In May, 1864, he volunteered for one year in

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Chester 5. Badger

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 533

as commissioner of highways, town clerk, etc. In the fall of 1861 he
entered the United States service, being commissioned captain Septem-
ber 13, 1861, and mustered in as captain of Co. C, of the 34th reg.
111. Vols. After the battle of Shiloh, he was promoted major and re-
ceived his commission April 18, 1862. On November 29 of the same
year he was commissioned colonel, and took command of the 34tli
reg. At the expiration of the regiment's service he returned to
Springfield, and was tendered the command of a new regiment by Gov.
Bates, but which he declined, and returned home. In 1878 he was
elected representative to the Illinois state legislature, and reelected in
1880. He is of decided republican principles in politics. The colonel
suffered the bereavement of his wife, who died December 11, 1878,
leaving seven children, four sons and three daughters. The eldest son,
James W. Dysart, M.D., is living in Laramie City, Wyoming; two
sons, James H. and Alison A., and one daughter, Mrs. Miller, reside in
Chicago ; one daughter, Mrs. Jessee R. Whitney, resides south of
Franklin Grove.

William C. Dysart, merchant, Nachusa, was born in Huntingdon
county, Pennsj^lvania, July 9, 1837. His early life was spent at farm-
ing on the old homestead. During this time, however, he received a
liberal education at Mountain Seminary, Birmingham, Pennsylvania.
In the spring of 1866 he moved to Lee county, and engaged in the
grain business at JSTachusa, in company with his brother, Capt. John
Dysart, and erected the first grain elevator at that place. After engag-
ing one year in this pursuit he returned to his native state and en-
gaged in the wholesale grocery trade at Altoona, at which business he
continued until in 1879, vv^hen he again came to JSTachusa, and estab-
lished himself in the general merchandise and lumber business, which
he still pursues. For this business he first occupied a small frame build-
ing, which now forms a wing to his present commodious store, erected
in 1878. On January 1, 1872, he was married to Sophia Barlow,
daughter of Augustus Barlow, Esq., a prominent citizen of Lee county.
They have had b}^ this union one child, a daughter, Anna May, born in
1875. In 1869 Mr. Dysart was appointed postmaster at E'achusa, and
has held the office continuously ever since, and is the present incum-
bent. Mr. Dysart, together with his estimable wife, enjoy the confi-
dence and esteem of the entire community in which they live.

Wilson Dysart, farmer and stock raiser, ISTachusa, was born 'No-
vember 27, 1829, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and is the son
of Joseph and Mary A. (Davison) Dysart. He was reared on a farm,
receiving a fair education, also a good practical education in the art of
intelligent farming. January 18, 1853, he married Miss Frances M.,
daughter of Mr. Sanmel P. and Susan (Rathbon) Wallace, who was
33

534 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, August 31, 1833. After
his marriage Mr. Dysart engaged in farming on the old home with liis
father, till 1857. In the spring of that year he came to Lee county, Illi-
nois, and commenced improving land previously entered by his father,
and in the fall of the same year his family joined him here, and he at
once settled permanently on Sec. 17, T. 21, R. 10, which he has since
by industry and good taste transformed from a state of nature into one
of the beautiful prairie homes of the south part of this town. Mr.
Dysart is now (1881) actively engaged in stock raising as well as farm-
ing. This farm contains 440 acres of excellent land, highly improved.
His family consists of nine children : Warren P., Joseph W., Anna M.,
Clarinda, Ernest S., Edith, Marian L., Edward E. and Frances E.

John Leake was born in Leicestershire, England, November 27,
1807. He was the elder son of John and Miss (Snow) Leake. Educational
advantages were meager, but he acquired learning sufficient to enable
him to do business, and when about fifteen years of age was appren-
ticed to a butcher. After acquiring the trade lie and his father bought
a small farm and carried it on, together with the butchering business.
After a time this business was disposed of and other enterprises under-
taken, but business did not prove successful, and Mr. Leake determined
to seek his fortune in America. In December, 1832, he was married
to Mary A. Jarvis. To them, while they remained in England, were
born three sons and one daughter, the latter djnng when a child. In
1840 Mr. Leake bade adieu to his family and, without a tear, set sail
for New York, where he arrived in the latter part of May. Imme-
diately he pushed on to the frontier, up the Hudson to Albany via the
Erie canal to Buffalo, via lakes to Chicago, thence by stage to Dixon's
Ferr}'-, Lee county, Illinois. He reached this place June 10, in company
with William Moodey and Isaac Means, whose acquaintance he had
formed en route from New York. Mr. Means proposed going farther,
at least to Galena, but Mr. Leake said " Stay here and look about." He
shortly bought a claim, for which he said he would not take a thousand
dollars, the other men found employment, and so farther explorations
ceased. And now commenced the struggle for a home and compe-
tency. Having little or no money, Mr. Leake worked at any employ-
ment within his reach, often for 25 cents or less per day, and taking
for payment anything that could be made available toward securing
the home or sustenance for the family. In 1841 a business trip took
him to New Orleans. Here he lived "three days on three 10-cent
pieces;" then came emplojanent and success. Returning to Dixon, he
was there in time to meet his family, who arrived in August of that
year. Mr. Leake sold his coat to buy a cow ; built a shanty, which
was only partly covered with floor, and here, without table or chairs.

NACHUSA .TOWNSHIP. 535

the family settled down in their own home. In the course of time
there were born into the faniil}' two daughters, one of whom is still
living. In 1843 the winter set in with such severity in the second
week in JSTovember that the family were driven out of their shanty to
a neighboring log bouse. But noble enterprises are sure to win. This
family did not struggle in vain. In spite of frequent losses of hard
earned personal property, in spite of many dangers and much malarial
disease, they gained ground and soon began to add to the original
claim till a farm of 287 acres they could call their own. Other farms
were added, till at the time of Mr. Leake's death, he could number his
acres at 670. In 1867 the desire of several years was put in practice.
In May he crossed the Atlantic to visit his native land. Not long
after arriving in England he was prostrated by sickness so severe that
his friends had little hope that he would see home again, but his strong
will prevailed. He arrived at home I^ovember 1, but remained an
invalid till September 11, 1869, when he died. He was buried in
Temperance Hill graveyard, beside his daughter, who had died in 1862.
Thus he saw his three sons and one daughter grown and able to take
up the work which he had laid down. To Mrs. Leake belongs a large
share of credit for the success of the family. After her husband's death
she lived with her children till January 19, 1868, when she too was
numbered with the dead and laid beside her husband.

Thomas Leake, farmer and stock raiser, Araboy, is the son of John
and Mary (Jarvis) Leake, of Leicestershire, England, and was born at
that place January 12, 1839, and came to this country with the rest of
the family in the summer of 1841. Though he is not a native, he is
yet one of the pioneers of Lee county. He was reared on the farm
and in his youth was engaged in rural pursuits and attending the
pioneer schools of the period. In 1858, having mastered all of the
branches of learning available in the schools of the county, he entered
Rock River Seminary, at Mount Morris, for the purpose of completing
his education. In 1862 he began a theological course of training in the
Garrett Biblical Institute, at Evanston, Illinois, which he completed in
1864. In the meantime he was engaged during vacations in teaching.
On the completion of his course he joined the Rock River Conference
and began his ministerial labors in the Big Rock Circuit. This station
he filled for two years, at the end of which time, finding his health so
impaired as to make him unable to continue the work, he returned
home, and after a„year of recuperation took charge of his farm. On
February 20, 1872, he was married to Miss Martha S., daughter of
Stephen T. Scoville, who was born in Oneida county, 'New York,
March 29, 1838. Mr. Leake has a beautiful farm and nice home, much
taste and refinement being displayed in their cultivation and care.

536 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

JopiN C. Leake, farmer and stock raiser, Amboy, son of John and
Mary A. (Jarvis) Leake, was born in Leicestershire, England, December
7, 1836, and came to America with his mother and others of their
family in 1841. His father preceded them here to prepare a home for
them on their arrival. This he did by entering government land in
the south part of Nachusa township. Thus John C. became one of the
pioneer children of this county and is well acquainted with all the
disadvantages of pioneer life, having hauled grain to Chicago with a
team, railroads then being a convenience almost unheard of in this part
of the countr3^ September 21, 1863, he was married to Miss Mariette,
daughter of Leonard W. and Sarah A. (Crawford) Hale. She was born
in Ohio, January 6, 1838. They have one child living, Thomas W.,
and three deceased : Charles W. died July 2, 1877, aged twelve 3'ears ;
Jennie F., February 6, 1879, aged six years, and Grace M., March 3,
1879, aged nearly three years. Mr. Leake owns the old homestead,
consisting of 380 acres, and is actively engaged in stock raising and
farming.

Heney Wingert, retired farmer, Nachusa, is a son of Jacob and
Elizabeth (Binkley) Wingert, and was born in Lancaster county, Penn-
sylvania, February 23, 1804. His father was born in the same state,
and his grandfather was born in Germany. Mr. Wingert was reared
and educated a farmer. August 10, 1826, he married Miss Anna M.
Bentz, a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania. In 1833 he re-
moved to Preble county, Ohio, and there engaged in farming till 1852,
when he came to Illinois, and settled in Lee county, on Sec. 4, T, 21,
P. 10. This was his last and permanent settlement, as he is now
(1881) contentedly enjoying the comfortable home his industry and
honest toil have provided. Mrs. Wingert died December 25, 1877,
leaving her husband nine children living (six being deceased), viz :
Elizabeth M., Louisa C, John W., Hannah, Walter J., Miriam, David,
Harriett A., Leona V. Mr. Wingert began life for himself without
means, but by good management he now owns, besides his home farm
of 160 acres, 80 acres of good land in Iowa. He is one of those whole-
souled men whose influence is always felt for good in the community
where they live.

John W. Wingert, f^u-mer and stock raiser, Nachusa, is a son of
Henry and Anna M. (Bentz) Wingert, and was born in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1831, and with his parents removed to
Preble county, Ohio, when a small boy. Here he grew to manhood, en-
gaged in farming, and to a limited extent attending school. In 1852
he came with his parents to Lee county, Illinois, and settled in the
prosperous town of Nachusa, and followed the business of farming. In
August, 1862, he enlisted in the 75th 111. Yol. Inf., followed the for-

NACHLTSA TOWNSHIP. 537

tunes of war through the battles of Perrjsville and Stone Kiver, after
which, on account of his health breaking down, he was transferred to
the 12th Yeteran Keserve Corps, and was finally discharged with that
regiment in June 1865, broken down in health, from which he yet ex-
periences much suifering. January 28, 1869, he was united in mar-
riage with Miss Hannah M., daughter of Jacob and Nancy Hittle.
She was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1837,
and came to this county with her parents far back in its early history.
They have five children : Willie B., Frederick A,, Adelbert, and Bertha
and Berton (twins). In November, 1877, he bought his present farm
of 160 acres in Sec. 29, T. 22, R. 10, where he now lives engaged in
farming.

Joshua Wingert, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove, is a
son of John and Mar}' (Newcommer) Wingert, and was born in the
State of Maryland, July 4, 1829. In 1832 his parents removed to
Ohio. Here young Joshua remained with his parents, engaged in
farming and attending school, till about the age of seventeen. At that
time (1846), in company with an elder brother, he emigrated to Illinois,
and settled in Lee county, and engaged in farming in connection with
his brother. December 20, 1855, he married Miss Susan, daughter of
Mr. Jacob and Mary Emmert. She is a native of Maryland, and was
born May 4, 1836, and came to Lee county, Illinois, with her parents
in an early day. After his marriage Mr. Wingert actively engaged in
farming and stock raising for himself, which business he has ever since
successfully followed, and by careful management and industry has ac-
cumulated a fine property. He has three sons living: Ralph W., a
fine scholar, who is now giving much attention to the fine arts; Ira
W. and Lee E., who are also giving much attention to education.

Joseph Heckman (deceased) was the son of Jacob and Sarah
(Bushkirk) Heckman. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania,
April 11, 1813, and died June 19, 1881, after a life of patient labor and
industry. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter
of James and Elizabeth (Mock) Rawlings, December 25, 1838. She
was born July 5, 1814, and died May 23, 1879. They left a family of
six children : James M., Mary E. (who is now faithfully discharging
the duties of housekeeper for her brothers), Josiah S., Jacob C, John.
R. and Adison L. Mr. Heckman with his family came to Lee county,
Illinois, in December 1863, and bought a farm of J. S. McNeel in Sec.
36, T, 22, R. 10, one of the most pleasant homes in this township.

David N. Steatton, farmer and stock raiser, Dixon, was born
in Massachusetts, August 1, 1844. He is a son of Milo and Calista P.
(Rice) Stratton. His early youth was spent on a farm, where he had
and improved the advantages of the common schools. At the age of

538 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

seventeen years he entered the mercantile business in Lee, Massachu-
setts. This he followed till the age of twenty-two, when he came to
Macoupin county, Illinois, where he remained two years as clerk in a
store. He then came to Whitesides county, Illinois, where he re-
mained till the fall of 1868, when he removed to his present home
farm in Lee county, Illinois. He is permanently engaged in farming
and stock raising, of which business he is now making a decided suc-
cess. August 15, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Hester,
daughter of Nathan and Judah Hill. She was born in Pennsylvania.
They are the parents of two children : Jennie P. and Milo. Mr.
Stratton's parents are still living in Massachusetts, his father at the
advanced age of eighty-two years.

Samuel Miller, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1810. His father was killed when he
(Samuel) was three years old. His early youth was spent farming and
attending school till seventeen years of age, when he began teaching.
He became a successful instructor both in the English and the German
languages. In 1832 he was married to Miss Mary La3anon, a native
Pennsylvania. By this union he had three children : Mary G., Jacob
L., John W. About 1840 Mrs. Miller died. Mr. Miller was next
married to Mar}^ Maune, and by this marriage had seven children :
Benjamin F., Abram C, Samuel W., Martha W., Lusetta, Charlotte A.,
Laura F. In June, 1865, Mr. Miller bought and occupied the old
George Baugh farm of 300 acres. He has always exhibited a marked
degree of industry and perseverance, the result of which is a fine farm
with all the improvements that add value to any farm property.

Jonas B. Eicholtz, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, is a son of
John F, and Anna (Boyer) Eicholtz, both natives of Pennsylvania and
now residents of Nachusa. Jonas B. was born in Adams county,
Pennsylvania, March 26, 1840, and like his father received a limited
education and was raised to hard work on the farm. In the spring of
1861, with his parents, he settled in Lee county, Illinois, near Kachusa,
where he engaged in tilling the soil. ISTovember 19, 1863, Mr. Eicholtz
was married to Miss Elnora E., daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Dettro)
Peters. She was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, August 23,
1840. The issue of this marriage is one child, Oscar P., born in Penn-
sylvania, March 26, 1866, while Mr. and Mrs E. were visiting in that
state. In 1875 Mr. Eicholtz purchased his present fiirm of 145 acres
in Sec. 18, T. 21, R. 10, which he has improved but did not occupy as
a home till March 1880. He is one of Lee's industrious and prosper-
ous farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Eicholtz are connected with the Lutheran
church, holding their membership in the St. James' church, South
Dixon.

ISTACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 539

Samuel A. Bender, farmer and stock raiser, Dixon, is a son of
John and Margaret (Miller) Bender, and was born in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, June 5, 18i3. He remained at home with his parents,
where he gained a fair common school education, till the summer of
1860, when he started west, intending to make a home for himself on
the celebrated prairie of Illinois. He stopped in Lee county and
began working out by the month on a farm, but at the outbreak of the
rebellion he shouldered the musket in defense of his country, and on
August 12, 1862, as an enlisted member of Co. G, 75th 111. Vol. Inf.,
started for the field of action. He met the enemy at Penyville and
Stone River, and was with his regiment throughout the war, and was
honorably discharged June 12, 1865, having been appointed sergeant
(for meritorious conduct) in August 1861:. After his return home Mr.
Bender engaged in farming in Lee county. November 18, 1869, he mar-
ried Miss Millie, daughter of Erastus and Ruth (Wilcox) Hart. She was
born in Pennsylvania, July 18, 1851. They are the parents of three
children living: John F., Bessie A. and Dora Mabel, and two de-
ceased. In the spring of 1870 Mr. Bender bought his present home
farm in Nachusa township, where he permanently located and engaged
in farming. His father was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania,
where he made his home through life. He died August 25, 1881. The
father, the grandfather of our sketch, w^as a native of Germany, and
followed the occupation of farmer. He came to America early in life
and settled in Pennsylvania.

John Atkinson, farming, Nachusa, is a son of John and Margaret
(Todhunter) Atkinson, and was born in Cumberland county, England,
August 30, 1847. In June, 1869, he left the land of his birth, parents
and friends, and set sail for America in the steamship England, of the
National line, in search of home for himself on the fertile prairies of
Illinois, and landed in ISTew York July 4, 1869. He at once came on
to Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, and hired out by the month on a farm.
This he followed two years, when he rented land and engaged in farm-
ing for himself. March 1, 1879, he married Miss Susanah, daughter
of Mr. John and Hannah (Skermer) Leake. She w^as born in Lee county,
Illinois, November 28, 1817. Mr. Atkinson is now successfully en-
gaged in farming.

Samuel Botee, farmer, Dixon, son of Abraham and Elizabeth
(Bowman) Boyer, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, Sep-
tember 28, 1840. He remained at home with his parents, engaged in
farming and attending school, till about the age of fifteen years, when
he came to Illinois and engaged at farm labor till the outbreak of
the war of the rebellion, when he enlisted in Co. A, 13th 111. Vol.
Inf. He at once started for the front and came in contact with the

540 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

enemy for the first time near Lynn Creek, Missouri. He served at the
siege of Vicksbiirg and many other hard-fonght battles, and was finally
discharged with his regiment at Springfield, Illinois, and returned to
Lee county so completely broken down in health that he has been
unable to perform a day's work since. As a recompense for injuries
received in the service " Uncle Sam " is now paying him a liberal
pension. March 15, 1866, he married Miss Rebecca Emerick. She
was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1848. They are
the parents of six children : James H., Barbara E., Alonzo, Maud,
Goldie, and William L. In 1877 he moved on his present home, in
Sec. 14, T. 22, R. 9, where he is now engaged in farming.

Calvin Bukkett (deceased) was born in Blair county, Pennsyl-
vania, December 8, 1829. His parents were Jacob and Xancy (Wil-
cox) Burkett. During early youth he was engaged in attending school
and working on the farm. At about the age of twenty-one he came to
Lee county, Illinois, by the rivers Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois. Hav-
ing gained some knowledge of the business of stone and brick masonry,
he engaged in and followed it for a number of years, teaching school
winters. In December, 1858, he bought a farm of 160 acres from Jer-
don Crawford, in Sec. 8, T. 21, R. 10, jSTachusa township, and engaged
in farming and stock raising. This, however, he only followed a short
time, for at the outbreak of the war he enlisted in Cheney's Battery.
While in the army his health failed, and after lying in hospital three
or four months he was discharged on account of disability. January 2,
1868, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of James K. and Eliza
(Bruce) Henry. She was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania,
January 8, 1840, and came to Lee county, Illinois, in 1865. Mr. Bur-
kett, by industry, hard work and good mamigement, made for himself
and family a good home. He was a member of the Presbyterian
church, as is also his surviving wife. They had no children of their
own, but have one adopted child, Charles M. Burkett. Mr. Burkett
died February 27, 1881, and was buried in the Dixon cemetery.

Erastus Hart (deceased) was born near Albany, New York, De-
cember 14, 1809. He was reared a farmer, and followed that business
through life. At Rochester, New York, March 15, 1831, he was united
in marriage with Miss Ruth, daughter of Mr, Daniel and Hulda (Webb)
Wilcox. She was born in Black River county, New York, December
15, 1812. Soon after his marriage Mr. Hart removed to the State of
Pennsylvania, and there engaged in farming. In the summer of 1865
he left the state where he so long lived, and came to Lee county, Illi-
nois, and settled in Dixon. He only remained there one year, when
he moved out on his farm he had previously bought in Sees. 25 and 26,
T. 22, R. 9. Here he activel}^ engaged in stock raising as well as farm-

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 541

ing. He died October 4, 1868, leaving, besides his life-long companion,
six children, as follows: Alvisa, wife of S. Liipher ; Mariett, wife of T.
L. Slocum ; Lury, wife of J. Williams; Levi E., Diantha, wife of S.
Smith, and Millie, wife of Samuel A. Bender. Levi E. Hart, son of E,
and R. Hart, farmer and stock raiser, was born in the State of Pennsyl-
vania, August 30, 1846, and came with his parents to Lee county,
Illinois. December 18, 1868, he married Miss Emeline B., daughter
of Abanoan and Caroline (Fowler) Hinds. She was born m Susque-
hanna county, Pennsylvania, June 21, 1846. They are the parents of
two children : Sybil L. and Leon. Mr. Hart is proprietor of the old
home of his father, and with him his venerable old mother is spending
her declining years in peace and comfort.

Francis Millek, farmer, Nachusa. The yeoman who leaves his native
land, dares the ocean's turbulent billows, makes his way to Illinois and
here, by incessant toil and constant saving, secures to himself and fam-
ily an ample and pleasant home of 182 acres of land, second to none
in the state, and improves it well, is certainly a success. Such a man
is Francis Miller, the subject of these notes. Mr. Miller was born in
County Derry, Ireland, in 1833, and like hi^ father was reared to hard
work on the farm and had but few educational advantages. In March,
1852, he was married to Miss Jane Burnside, daughter of Josiah Burn-
side. She was also born in County Derry, Ireland. Immediately after
their marriage the twain set sail in the sailing vessel Isaac Wright for
America, and after nine weeks' sailing reached New York. He
remained at labor in New York a few months, then came to Lee coun-
ty via Chicago and Rockford. Arriving, he engaged at farm labor by
the month or day. He soon purchased a small farm, but in 1872, in
partnership with his brother-in-law, James Burnside, bought the farm
which he in 1880 secured to himself and now owns, situate in Sec. 19,
T. 21, R. 10. He deals somewhat in stock, etc. Mr. Miller's family
(numbers seven children: Margaret (now Mrs. R. A. Hewet), James,
^amuel F., Eliza, William I., Mary, and Josiah.

\ John M. Allwood, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, was born in
Uncolnshire, England, March 26, 1830. His parents were John and
Vnn (Madison) Allwood. He was reared on a farm. His parents being
\)or, his education was very much neglected. After growing up he
Jpored as a day hand six and a half years. October 18, 1853, he left
1^ native country and friends and set sail for America in the sailing
vtsel North American, and after a voyage of six weeks and two days
laled in New York. He at once left there for Wisconsin and from
th*e started on foot to a point, 200 miles distant, in Iowa, from where
he^on after returned to Wisconsin, where he hired out to work on a
fari^at |18 per month. Here he continued a little over six years, when

542 HISTORY OF LEE COUISTTY.

he came to Lee county, Illinois, and hired out to work for Mr. Abijah
Powers in Palmyra. Here he remained two years and then went back
to Wisconsin, sold a ftirm he had previously bought, and then went to
Iowa, where he bought a farm of 240 acres, on which he lived about
three j^ears. Mr. Allwood at this time having a longing desire for
Illinois, sold his farm and again returned to Lee county and bought a
farm in the south end of Nachusa township, where he is now engaged
in farming and stock raising. October 18, 1863, he married Miss Isa-
bella Mostoller, a native of Pennsylvania, born there in 1835 and came
to Lee county, Illinois, in 1851. They are the parents of seven chil-
dren, five of whom are now living: William, Austin, Edgar, George
W., Mary E.; John, born August 20, 1864, was drowned in Coon
River, at Booneville, Iowa, July 3, 1881 ; Charles died in infancy.

John M. Crawford (deceased) was born in Blair county, Penn-
sylvania, March 15, 1825. Early in life he learned the trade of car-
penter and cabinet-maker; this he followed until several years after
coming to Illinois, having worked on some of the first mills and bridges
built in Lee county. April 12, 1849, he married Miss Mary A. Dysart.
She M^as born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1824.
They at once came to Illinois, and settled in Lee county on land he
had bought previousl}^ having been to Lee county about three years be-
fore. He died May 21, 1881, having at the time of his death become
one of the largest land owners in Lee county. He was well and favor-
ably known throughout the county, having filled the oflices of super-
visor and assessor for several terms. He left at his death a wife and
six children : the eldest of the children, James A., died June 9, 1881 ;
Milton A., Albert W., Joseph D., Frances J. and Ettie O.

John H. Abbott, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa. In the early
part of the seventeenth century the Abbots came from Somersetshire,
England, and settled on Staten Island, ISTew Jersey; from them sprang
a numerous family, now scattered throughout the United States. They
were prominently connected with the Methodist Episcopal church ii
its early history in America, and are among the first mentioned b
Bishop Simpson in his " Cyclopedia of Methodism." John H. Abbot
now of Lee county, Illinois, is one of the descendants of this histoc
family. He was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, Novemlr
12, 1818. He was reared on a farm by his parents till the age of fcr-
teen. When at that age his mother died, and little John was throwrJn
his resources and obliged to take care of himself. After a short <iie
he engaged his services to a Mr. L. B. Rupert, then engaged in bofHig"
and transportation, with whom he afterward became a partner an fol-
lowed the business a number of ^^ears. December 14, 1848, hfnar-
ried Miss Ellen Shoemaker, who was born in Columbia county, enn-

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 543

sylvania, November 17, 1827. They are the parents of seven children :
Elizabeth J., Amzi S., Robert M., William, Charles B., Martha A, and
Mary E. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Abbott carae to Lee county, Illi-
nois, bought land in Sec. 29, T. 22, E,. 10, where he permanently lo-
cated and engaged in farming. For the last eleven years he has been
commissioner of highvi^ays. He is prominently connected with the
Methodist Episcopal church.

Isaiah Brink, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, came to Lee county,
Illinois, October 10, 1851. He is the son of Joshua and Rebecca (Cole)
Brink, and was born October 17, 1817, in the old State of Pennsylvania.
Like his father he was reared a farmer and to a limited extent attended
the old subscription schools of his native state. In June, 1842, he was
married to Miss Eliza Stiles, and has become the father of six children,
three of whom are living : Sarah C. (wife of Perry Cromley), John L.
and Charles S. In March, 1852, Mr. Brink rented a cabin near Dixon,
into which he moved his family, bade them good-by, and started for
California, in company with some other parties who were going to the
Golden State with ox teams. He arrived there in September of the
same year, and at once engaged in mining, but soon after turned his
attention to the carpenter business, which he followed in connection
with trading and speculating for about four years. In September, 1856,
he returned home, and found his wife engaged in farming on land she
had bought with money sent home by her husband during his absence,
Mr. Brink made his trip to California a success, inasmuch as he there
made the mofley which gave him a good start in life. His home farm
comprises 278 acres of good land. He is also the owner of considerable
other property.

John R. Mekkill (deceased), JSTachusa, was born in Londonderry,
New Hampshire, in 1804, and was reared on a farm. In April, 1829,
he married' Miss Lydia C, daughter of Benjamin March. She was born
in Londonderry in 1805. In 1839 they emigrated to Illinois, where from
its cheap lands he might secure for himself and family a home and
enjoy the advantages of a growing country. He first settled in Ogle
county, near the line of Lee. Here he entered land, to which he kept
adding until he became the owner of a large amount of land in Lee and
Ogle counties. He experienced much of the hardships and privations
of pioneer life, making many trips to Chicago with a team, hauling
produce there and merchandise back, sleeping on the ground and in his
wagon nights, getting stalled in sloughs and carrying out his loads on
his back to land. He died March 4, 1861. Mrs. Merrill (a former
school-mate of the venerable Horace Greeley) is still living, at the
advanced age of seventy-six years, and is now (1881) enjoying excellent
health and a remarkable memory. They became the parents of two

544 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

children (twins). One of them died, aged twenty years and two montlis.
This was a sad bereavement to Mr. Merrill, as he was a kind and
indulgent parent as well as a devoted husband. The surviving
daughter, Mary A., was born in New HannDshire, February T, 1831,
and is the mother of five children, three of whom are living: Charles
W., Walter A. and Mollie L. She has for the past two years been
living in Chicago, where her daughter Mollie is attending school. Her
son, Charles W. Dutcher, was married November 27, 1879, to Miss
Susan A. Kennedy, a native of Ogle count}', Illinois.

William Garrison, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, is one of the
early settlers of Lee county, coming here in the spring of 1845. Mr.
Garrison was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1813, and
is a son of Mathias and Susannah (Sealey) Garrison. He was reared
a farmer and educated to a limited extent in the subscription schools of
his native state. At the age of about twenty he started in the business
of farming for himself. December 26, 1833, he married Miss Amelia
Oman, a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania. She was born
January 31, 1811. In the spring of 1845 he came to Lee county,
Illinois, and settled near Dixon, where he entered land and engaged in
farming. This he followed four years, when he sold out and bought a
saw-mill just over the line in Ogle county, and actively engaged in
preparing the material then so necessary for improving the wild prairie
with buildings and fences. This he followed about eight years, and
then turned his attention to making a permanent home for himself.
He bought the KW. I Sec. 30, T. 22, R. 10 E., which he has made
one of the ver^^ pleasant homes of jSTachusa township. Mrs. Garrison
died December 27, 1870, on the home where she so long lived, after
living to see her family all grown and the country that was so wild
and desolate all made into beautiful farms and dotted here and there
with schools and cliurciies. Mr. Garrison's second marriage was with
Mrs. Lucinda Shute, October 15, 1872. She has by a former husband
one son, Abram L. Shute. Mr. Garrison is the father of fifteen children
by his first wife, nine of whom are living: John, Peter, George L.,
Hester A., Hannah, Elizabeth E., William H., Harriett E. and Martha
J. Mr. Garrison has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal
church for many years. When a boy he was converted to Christ, and
since that time has been a consistent member of the church. Two of
his sons, Peter and William H., served their country in the late rebel-
lion, Peter in the 75th 111. Yol. Inf., and is now carrying a rebel
bullet ; William in Cheney's Battery.

According to tradition the founder of the Hausen family in the
State of Maine was a Saxon-German, and accompanied Burgoyne's
army from Europe to America in the same ship which brought that

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 545

celebrated general to the shores of this continent in the time of the
revolutionary war. Soon after his arrival in America Mr. Hansen
declared his intentions to aid the colonists in their struggle for liberty,
and at once became forage master for Gen. Washington, and rendered
good service thronghout the war, which gave birth to one of the
grandest nations that ever existed. He finally married and settled in
the State of Maine, where he reared a family, one of whom was Charles,
who married Mary J. Hilton, and came to Lee county in 1840, bringing
with him a family of ten children, the youngest of whom was ISTorman,
the subject of this sketch, then a lad of nine years. His advantages
of education were very limited, being only such as the old subscription
schools of those days afforded, but the school of experience, from which
may be learned lessons of industry and thrift, was sufficient, and our
subject an apt scholar, as is proved by the success which has attended
his business affairs so far through life. He began life for himself by
working out by the month, and is now the owner of a good farm of
160 acres in Sec. 9, T. 21, R. 10, well improved and well stocked,
besides a farm of 160 acres in Meriden, La Salle county, Illinois. He
was born October 2, 1831, and married Lucy L. Herrick, July 8, 1866.
She is a daughter of Hiram Herrick, was born in Yermont, and came
to Lee county when a small child. They have one child, Jennie, born
August 20, 1870.

George Palmer, farmer and stock raiser, ISTachusa, is a son of
Daniel and Christenia (Shuge) Palmer, and was born in Northampton,
Pennsylvania, September 11, 1808. His early youth was spent on a
farm. At about the age of twenty he began learning the trade of a
miller with his father. This business he followed a number of years
in connection with farming. In 1843 he married Miss Catherine
Stettler, of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and in the summer of
1846 they came to Illinois and settled in Lee county in what is now
ISTachusa township. In 1849 he bought a little home of forty acres in
Sec. 32, T. 22, P. 10. To this he kept adding till his farm now con-
tains 160 acres. This he has well improved and he is able to say
that he has earned it by his own hard labor and industry. This is now
one of the model farms of Nachusa township. Mr. Palmer is the
father of two children, one of whom is now living. Dr. Thomas D.
Palmer, born August 15, 1846, is now engaged in the practice of medi-
cine at Paw Paw, Lee county, Illinois. He is a graduate of Davis
Medical College, of Chicago.

John H. Burkett, farmer, Dixon, is a son of John M. and Mary
(Fleck) Burkett, and was born in Lee county, Illinois, March 28, 1854.
He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools and
at the city school of Dixon. December 9, 1874, he married Miss Ann

646 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Ophelia, daughter of Erastus and Mary Cortright. She was born in
Lee county, Illinois. They have three children : Mary O., Annie N.
and one infant. Mr. Burkett is engaged in farming. He is a clever,
energetic young man.

Jacob Weetman, farmer and stock raiser, Nachnsa, was born in
■Columbia county, Pennsylvania, ISTovember 11, 1811. His parents
were Henry and Anna M. (Krymmin) Wertman. Thej were also
natives of Pennsylvania; and his grandfather, Michael Wertman, was
a native of Germany and came to America about the middle of the last
century. Our subject, Jacob, was reared on a farm and early educated
in the art of being a hardy tiller of the soil. These practical lessons
were like seeds sown on good ground, for the}^ brought forth that in after
life which is the fruit of industi-y and a sound judgment. In the spring
of 1838 Mr. Wertman left the old associations of home to seek his for-
tune in the then far west. After many weeks of weary travel by water
and on foot he arrived in Dixon, Lee county, Illinois. Having early
in life gained some knowledge of the trade of carpenter, this he now
followed, in connection with other work, till he earned the means with
which to enter some government land. Thus he secured for himself
the foundation for his future home in Sec. 4, T. 21, R. 10. February
20, 1851, he married Miss Mary E., daughter Solomon and Jane
(Buckalu) Shellhammer. She was born in Columbia count}^, Penn-
sylvania, August 15, 1830, and came with her parents to Lee county,
Illinois, in 1837. Though i)ut a child at the time, she well remembers
the trip, which occupied eight weeks and was made with horses and
wagon. Mr. and Mrs. Wertman are now spending their declining
years surrounded with all the blessings that a life of industry and
honest toil will produce. They are the parents of an interesting fam-
ily of four children : Charles H., Thomas J., Alice M. and Willard L.
Three of whom yet remain at the old home. Charles H. is married
and has two children : Harry J. and Herbert T.

Thomas J. Wertman, farmer, Franklin Grove, is the son of Jacob
and Mary E. (Shelhamer) Wertman, and was born in Lee county. May
50, 1854, and like his father was reared a farmer, educated in the
common schools, but was more especially trained to the realities of
hard toil and industry. December 24, 1879, he married Miss Lucetta
A., daughter of Harrison and Lydia Hansen. She was born in Lee
county, Illinois, July 29, 1854.

In the early part of the present century Mr. William Brandon
emigrated from the north of Ireland to America, and settled in Penn-
sylvania. Soon after coming to America he married Triphenia, a
daughter of Benjamin Fuller, Esq., a native of Massachusetts. Of
this union were fourteen children, one of whom was Benjamin F., the

NACIIUSA TOWNSHIP. 547

subject of this sketch. He was born January 11, 1814, in Luzerne coun-
ty, Pennsylvania. His early youth was spent with his parents on
a farm and attending the old subscription schools of his boyhood days,
the latter only to a limited extent. In the fall of 1837 Mr. Brandon
left his native state, as well as his old associates, and started for the pro-
verbial green fields, and after a thirty-four day's trip by land and water
arrived on the enchanting prairie lands of Lee county, Illinois. His
first location was made near Dixon, where he bought a claim, but a few
years later bought the farm where he now lives. Although it 'Was
then but a wild prairie, it now has an air of home comfort, and con-
tentment. Its thrifty fruit-trees and beautiful large black-walnut groves
indicate the proprietor to be a man of good taste and industry. October
8, 1841, Mr. Brandon was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of
Elisha Courtright, Esq. ; she was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylva-
nia, February 15, 1825, and came to Lee county with her parents in an
early day. They have six children: Charles D., Milton R., George
W., William, Sarah T. and Anna O. Mr. and Mrs. Brandon are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Jacob Emmert, retired farmer, Nachusa, is the son of Joseph and
Catherine (Avey) Emmert, and was born in Washington county,
Maryland, July 23, 1807. He was reared a farmer, which business
he followed through life. December 16, 1830, he married Miss
Mary Newcomer, also a native of Washington county, Maryland.
She was born February 15, 1811. In 1844 they came to Illinois
and settled in Ogle county, but one year later removed to near
where he now lives in Lee county. He is the father of eight children,
five of whom are living: Zachariah, William H., Jacob M., Susan,
and Catherine. Jacob M. enlisted in Co. C, 34th 111. Yol. Inf., in
September 1861, and followed the fortunes of war nearly four years.
In the fall of 1864 he was detached as sergeant of Gen. Jeffferson C.
Davis' escort, but again joined his regiment. He was at the grand re-
view at Washington, and was finally discharged with the glorious old
34th in 1865. December 12, 1870, he married Miss Mary E. Ohmert,
of Lee county ; they have two children : Gracie L, and Kittie C.

Marshall McNeel, farmer and stock raiser, ISTachusa, was born in
Pennsylvania, May 29, 1836, and came to Lee county, in company with
his parents, in April 1847, when a lad of eleven years. Here he grew
to manhood, with but a limited means of gaining an education. His
few spare moments, however, were devoted to his books, but the greater
portion of his time was employed in the hardy pursuit of the labors of
improving a farm on the wild prairie. At the time he settled here the
country was without the, advantages of a market nearer than Chicago,
where he has hauled wheat with an ox team, the average time of mak-

548 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

ing a trip being about thirteen days, sleeping on the ground or in the
wagon as he could catch it. Hauling wheat over 100 miles, fording
streams and wading mud, would not pay hotel fare. When Mr. Mc-
JSTeel's parents, Thomas C. and JSTancy (Russell) McNeel, started in Lee
county, they were $80 behind an even start with the world, but by
hard work and good management they succeeded in making a good
home for themselves and family. Mr. McNeel died in April 1876 ; his
ancestors were from the north of Ireland. Mrs. McNeel died August
2, 1881. Marshall, the subject of our sketch, was Urst married October
23, 1862, to Miss Anna E. Sharrar ; she died August 1, 1877. His
present wife was Charlotte E. Miller, to whom he was married August
8, 1878 ; she was born in Pennsylvania, December 25, 1815. It is but
just to say of Mr. McNeel that his home is one of the neatest in the
township.

JoHx S. EiciioLTZ, wagon and carriage maker, Kachusa, is a son of
William and Lydia (Hanes) Eicholtz. He was born in Adams county,
Pennsylvania, September 24, 1812. His early youth was spent on the
farm. He received a good business education. After he grew to man-
hood he engaged in farm labor till the spring of 1868, when he came
to Lee county. A few months later he became an apprentice in the
wood-work department of the wagon and carriage shops then in opera-
tion at Nachusa, and of which a few years later he became the proprie-
tor, and where he is now, in 1881, actively engaged in the manufacture
of a superior class of wagons and carriages. In connection with this
business he has a blacksmith and general repair shop. Thus, while
many have continued as day laborers, Mr. Eicholtz has by industry,
fair dealing and good management built up for himself a trade and repu-
tation of which any young man should have a just reason to be proud.
December 2, 1869, he married Miss Charlotte Stover, a native of Penn-
sylvania. By this union he has four children : William B., Harry M.,
Edith M. and Maud May.

Jacob Hittle (deceased) was born in Columbia county, Pennsyl-
vania, May 8, 1807. The business of his life was farming. August 9,
1835, he was united in marriage with Miss l^ancy Kulp. She was
born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1811, and is
still living on their old home in Lee county, Illinois, where they set-
tled as early as 1841. Mr. Hittle died February 6, 1877, after a life of
hard labor and industry, leaving to his family a comfortable home of
200 acres of excellent land. Mr. and Mrs. Hittle were among the
sturdy pioneers of Lee county, whose word was considered as good as
their bond. In his will Mr. Hittle wisely set off to his daughter Mary
E.,40 acres of his farm, on account of her being in delicate health. The
members of his family now living are, besides his wife, Fannie, wife of

SAAC EDWARDS.

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 379

position. He was married January 12, 1842, to Miss Sylvia M.
Crampton, of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Her birth was on
the 12th of January 1822. They have had five children, as follows :
Marian P., born June 3, 1843, married to John E. Pettibone, of Chi-
cago, January 1, 1863; Mary E., born April 12, 184-5, married to John
Trainer June 4, 1867; Myron H., born March 21, 1847; Charles L.,
born May 28, 1849, died October 29, 1879 ; John Wallace, born De-
cember 15, 1859, died in infancy. In Massachusetts Mr. Ford was
selectman six terms; in Amboy he has been a member of the board of
education two years, and is a trustee of Prairie Repose Cemetery.
Politically he is a republican. Both he and Mrs. Ford are members of
the Congregational church, and he is a trustee.

Charles Tait, machinist, and foreman of engine house, Amboy,
was born July 7, 1830, in the county of Northumberland, England.
He was a son of John and Mary (Gibson) Tait. About 1850 he com-
menced to learn the machinist's trade, and the next year came to
America and went to work at Paterson, New Jersey. In 1852 he came
to Cleveland and finished his trade, remaining till 1857. On the
application of the Central company he came to Amboy in the fall of
that year. In 1866 he was promoted to foreman of the engine house.
He was married May 5, 1858, to Mrs. Mary (Hatton), widow of Joseph
Garner. The following are their six children : Hannah, now Mrs.
William McKinzie ; Charles W., James H., Alice M., Joseph W. and
Ida G. Mrs. Tait belongs to the Congregational church, and he is a
republican, a Mason, and a workman. He owns 120 acres of land at
Clear Lake, Iowa.

Charles H. Marston, locomotive engineer, Amboy, was born in
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, June 27, 1820. In 1825 his mother,
Lydia (Staples), died, and his father married again, and in 1830 him-
self died. Four years later young Marston went to sea : during two
seasons he was steamboating on the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire
and Massachusetts, and at other times making voyages to the West
Indies, to Europe and to the Mediterranean. His seafaring life lasted
five years, and at the age of nineteen he set himself to learn the
machinist's trade. Beginning at Portsmouth he worked two years with
Jefferson Mclntyre, who gave up business at the end of that time. In
1844 he went to Boston and finished with Hinckly & Drury, engine
builders, for whom he worked a year and a half. Next he was employed
by Jabez Coney, of south Boston, and helped build two engines. He left
there in the early summer of 1847 and went to Springfield, remaining
till the latter part of 1848 as gang-boss in the engine works at that
place, where he superintended the putting up of seven or eight more loco-
motives. He now went to Cleveland, Ohio, with an engine and six car-
23

380 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

loads of machinery for tlie same parties, from the Springfield Car and
Engine AVorks, to start car shops there, and took employment from
Harback, Stone & Witt. In April, 1854, he changed his location to
Chicago, and began work for the Central Railroad Company, and con-
tinned with them nntil 1857, first on the branch as engineer and then
on the main line, making Amboy his home after November 1854. He
snbseqnentl}^ ran on the Racine & Mississippi railroad, the Mississippi
Central, the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis, and the Great "Western. On
Ma}' 17, 1864, he started overland to California, but reaching Salt
Lake sold his outfit, and after remaining three months departed Jan-
uary 7, 1865, for Arizona, where he arrived in March after a hard
journey of fifty-four days on horseback, in the dead of winter, not hav-
ing taken a meal nor slept but once in a human habitation. In a few
months he started home, and at Jacob's well was plundered by the In-
dians, and lost both his horses. He arrived in the fall, and from then
until 1869 was again working for the Central company in- the machine
shop. He then went to Bryant, on the Union Pacific, as division mas-
ter mechanic, and early in 1871 came home and ran the first construction
train on the Chicago & Rock River road, and after that a passenger.
He was on this road little more than a year. In 1876 he removed a
grist-mill which he had bought at Compton and set it up in Amboy,
and ran it till 1879. In the fall of that year he returned to the Union
Pacific and worked another year. About 1858 he erected two business
houses in the city, and at other times two residences. He was married
February 2, 1852, to Miss Jane Yan Noate, of Bricksville, Ohio. They
have three sons : Lannes, Frank, and Alpha. Mr. Marston is a Royal
Arch Mason.

Henry S. Wyman, locomotive engineer, Amboy, third son of Col.
John B. Wyman, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, June 12,
1852. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Chicago, where
they resided about a year before settling in Amboy, in which place Mr.
Wyman lived until he was eleven years old. From that time until he
was sixteen he was at Shewsbury and Worcester, Massachusetts, attend-
ing school. He returned to Illinois and was in Bloomington three
years learning the miller's trade; but as this business did not agree
with his health, in 1871 he obtained employment from the Central
Railroad Company, and has been in their service since as brakeman,
fireman, baggageman, and engineer. He was married February 3,
1876, to Miss Lilian Daniels. They have one child, Henry Westcott.
Mrs. Wyman was born at Shippingsport, La Salle county, July 26,
1854. She is a member of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Wyman is
a vestryman. He is also a republican and a workman.

Charles C. Stone, junior proprietor of the drain tile and brick

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 381

works at Ainbo}^ was born in Medina county, Oliio, June 19, 1843.
His parents were Levi H. and Laiirana E. (Parsons) Stone. He was
bereft of his father when he was seven years old, and he suffered
from feeble health during his early life. In 1854 his widowed mother
removed with her family to Findlay, Ohio, and here Mr. Stone obtained
his education in the graded schools. In the winter of 1861-2 he began
the study of telegraphy, but made no use of it after acquiring it; the
next autumn he went to clerking for his uncle in a retail dry-goods store ;
and in the fall of 1864 he started as commercial traveler for a New York
wholesale dry-goods house, and was in this business four years. In
November, 1868, he settled in Clinton, Illinois, in the printing business,
in company with his brother-in-law, W. L. Glessner. They purchased
the " Clinton Register" and published it together five years. In 1873
Mr. Stone sold to his partner and accepted the position of station
agent at Clinton, on the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western railroad.
He held this till March 1, 1881, and then resigned to give his personal
attention to the manufacture of tile and brick at Amboy, and the erec-
tion of the necessary works preparatory to undertaking the business.
The year before he had formed a partnership with Mr. John Wight-
wick, of Clinton, who is the senior member of the firm. Mr. Stone
was married February 8, 1876, to Miss Emily J. Smith, who was born
in London, England, December 6, 1853. They have two children,
Winnie and Nellie. Mrs. Stone belongs to the Methodist church.

William B. Andruss, merchant, Amboy, was born in the township
of Jerusalem, county of Yates and State of New York, February 23,
1824, and is a son of Henry G. and Pamela (Weed) Andruss. As the
genealogical history of the family shows, he is the eighth generation
from John Andrews (termed the settler) who with a brother settled in
Farmington, Connecticut, in 1640, from England. Mr. Andruss, the
subject of this sketch, was raised a farmer, received an academic educa-
tion at Franklin Academy, Prattsburgh, Steuben county. New York,
taught school a number of terms while a young man. He married
Miss Dolly Bell, of Gorham, Ontario county, New York, daughter of
Thomas and Sophia Bell, October 6, 1846, and resided for one year in
Pittsford, Monroe county. New York, where their only child, Yirgil B.
Andruss, was born, July 21, 1847. He then returned to his native
town, where he remained until 1855, when he came west, finall}' set-
tling in Amboy, Illinois, in February 1856, where he has since resided.
He found a somewhat divided village, considerable strife existing as to
whether the main town should be on the east or west side of the rail-
road. His first location was in what was called Exchange block on the
west side. His health had failed him, and Mrs. Andruss opened
daguerreotype and photographic rooms. They remained in that locality

382 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

about two years, when they came to the east side, and occupied rooms
near the corner of Main street and Adams avenue. Mr. Andruss'
health gradually improved, and he was elected township collector for
four successive years, and town clerk for two years. In 1862 he
was elected justice of the peace, and with the exception of about tw^o
years has held the office since to May 1, 1881. He was alderman for
the second ward eight years. He was county surveyor for the years
1863-4. He was appointed notary public by Gov. Bissell in 1858 or
1859, and has been continued such since, his last commission received
in 1880. In 1866 he engaged in the hardware and farmitig implement
trade as partner with C. J. Blackstone. This continued to 1868, when
he purchased his partner's interest, and he, in connection with his son
Yirgil B. Andruss, has continued the business to the present time, for
some years in the firm name of W. B. Andruss & Son. Virgil B.
Andruss enlisted in Co. D, ISith 111. Vols., at its organization in Chi-
cago, and remained with the compan}^ until the regiment was mustered
■out of the service. Mr. Andruss has been a member of the Presbyte-
rian or Congregational church since 1842; he and Mrs. Andruss have
been members of the Congregational church of Amboy since January
1857, and he a deacon thereof since February 1857 ; their son, a
member since May 1863. Mr. Andruss has always advocated the tem-
perance reform, having been identitied with almost all societies organ-
ized to carry forward the work, but more prominently with the Sons
of Temperance, having first united with that order in 1845, and now
being a representative in the ISTational Division of North America. In
politics he has been a republican since the organization of that party.
Simon Badger, deceased, brother to H. E. and Chester Badger, was
born in Broome county. New York, June 11, 1820. In 1838 he came
west with his father, who was a millwright, and worked with him at
that trade until 1841. He then turned his attention to farming, and in
1848, in company with his brother Warren, erected the Badger grist-
mill at Binghamton, the first of consequence in the county. His in-
terest in this property continued until 1860. In 1850 he went over-
land to California, accompanied by his brother Chester, and remained
there nearly a year. His wife, whose maiden name was Emily McKune,
and to whom he had been married about two years, died in his absence,
on July 5, 1850. Tidings of his loss decided him to return at once,
and he arrived home late in the autumn. By this marriage was one
child, now Mrs. Joanna Morgan. Mr. Badger married again, taking
for his second wife Miss Boxy M, Wasson, daughter of Lorenzo Was-
son, sr., with whom he lived in great happiness nntil her death, May
26, 1863. Mr. Badger was a man actively engaged in business during
his life, and enjoyed a high degree of confidence and respect from a

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 383

large circle of friends. He filled various township offices, and for six-
teen years was justice of the peace, and was discharging the functions
of that office at the date of his death. He was a sufferer several years
from diabetes, from which disease he died July 28, 1876. In his death
the community sustained the loss of an upright, public-spirited citizen.
By his last marriage three children were born : Rush, September 7,
1855 ; Stella, September 4, 1857 ; and Claribel, April 25, 1859. Rush
received a common school education, and supplemented it with a com-
mercial course at Bryant & Stratton's college at Davenport, Iowa, in
the winter of 1875-6. In the summer of 1879 he traveled four months
in England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany and Switzerland.

Oscar A. Comstock, locomotive engineer, Amboy, eldest son of
Alfred and Harriet (Westbrook) Comstock, was born August 15, 1837,
in St. Clair county, Michigan, to which his parents had removed from
Oneida county, New York, at its first settlement about 1830. Here
his father farmed on a small scale, but owning a saw-mill and timbei',
he made lumber manufacturing his principal business. In 1849 Mr.
Comstock went on the lakes as a cook on board a vessel, and after that
as a common sailor, returning home winters to work in the pineries.
He kept this up till the fall of 1860, and then located in Amboy in the
employ of the Central company as locomotive fireman. In August,
1862, he volunteered in Co. I, 89th 111. Inf. (railroad regiment), Capt.
Samuel Comstock, a cousin, being his commanding officer. He fought
at Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Strawberry
Plains, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, and
Peach Tree Creek, and followed Hood back to Tennessee and fought at
Franklin and Kashville. He was promoted to sergeant, and at Mission
Ridge was wounded by a bullet which broke his arm. In May, 1865,
he was mustered out at Chicago, and immediatelj^ returned to Amboy
and went to work again for the railroad company. In 1867 he was
promoted to locomotive engineer. His marriage with Miss Anna Hill
was on March 31, 1866. Her parents were English, and emigrated to
New Orleans, where she was born March 17, 1848. The next year
they came north, her mother dying on the passage, and her father set-
tled at Galena, and followed lead mining. She is a member of the
Baptist church, and Mr. Comstock is a republican, and belongs to divi-
sion No. 72, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

Andrew J. Poland, train master Illinois Central railroad, Am-
boy, son of Benjamin F. and Lucy S. (Sanborn) Poland, was born Au-
gust 12, 1832, in Standish, Maine, and was reared at Gloucester. His
father was a captain in the last war with Great Britain. Mr. Poland
went to Boston in 1850, and to Chicago in 1854. He ran on the Cen-
tral branch from May till September, and from this date till January,

384 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

1855, was running between Chicago and Galena, still in the employ of
the Central company. He then was located at Amboy until 1859,
when he removed to Chicago and ran between that city and St. Lonis
over the Chicago & Alton railroad sixteen months. In 1861 he re-
turned to Amboy and remained here till January 1866, being train
master at this time, and his family residing at Centralia. He was next
stationed at Decatur until 1873, when he came back to Amboy, where
he now resides. He was married in 1857, to Miss Caroline Potter, of
Chicago, who died February 8, 1879, and by whom he had five children,
as follows: Edward W., Lucy (dead), Lizzie J., Carrie S., and Helen.

Philip Flack, barber, Amboy, is a native of Oberhoechstadt, near
Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, where he was born May 14, 1837.
He emigrated to America, arriving at Castle Garden, New York, Octo-
ber 1, 1853. After eight months he went to Virginia, in September,
1855, he came to Meiidota, and in January, 1856, permanently located
in Amboy, and was the first white barber who followed his vocation in
the town. Pie lost his business property, in which his family was liv-
ing at the time, by fire, on December 10, 1863. This conflagration
destroyed all of East avenue except Edwards' livery stable, at the
north end of the row, and Carson & Pirie's brick building, where
Bourne's now stands. He was man-icd February 15, 1858, to Miss
Margaret Hauck, by whom he has had the following children : Francis
Albert, Marion, Philip Andrew (deceased), Josephine Barbara, and
Clara Amelia. Mr. Flack and his family are Catholics.

George H. McFatrich, car-builder and assistant foreman of the
car-shop, Amboy, is a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where
he was born March 31, 1819. He was the second son and fourth child
of Hugh and Margaret (Bennett) McFatrich. He spent his early boy-
hood on a farm, received a good English education, and learned the
cabinet trade. In 1842 he settled at Hazel Green, Grant county, Wis-
consin, where he lived by his trade, and was married to Miss Fannie
Lindsay. In 1854 he moved to Rockford, Illinois, and sold drugs with
his brother James a year, and in April, 1855, came to Amboy and has
since had his home in this place. He built on the site of Wheat &
Gridley's store one of the first business houses in Amboy. In the fall
he began work for the Central Railroad Company, in the car-shop, and
lias continued ever since in their employ, a period of twenty-six years.
During the last sixteen years he has been assistant foreman. The only
ofiice he ever held was that of collector, the last year he lived in Wis-
consin. Mr. and Mrs. McFatrich were formerly Presbyterians, but on
coming here they found no church of their denomination, and so joined
the Methodist, of which they had been members until two years ago.
The latter is now a Congregational ist. Mr. McFatrich was an elder in

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 385

tlic Presbyterian church. In politics he was originally a whig, but be-
came a republican on the formation of that party. They have had five
children: Sarah Melissa, wife of David I. Finch, of Peoria; Fannie,
now Mrs. Louis Santee, of Des Moines, Iowa, but formerly of Brook-
lyn, Kew York; Hadessa (deceased), and Ella and Emma, twins
(deceased).

Charles W. Bell, constable, Amboy, was born in New York in 1826.
In 1840 he emigrated with his parents. Royal and Amanda (Judd) Bell,
from Chautauqua county to Kendall county, Illinois. In 1852 he came
here with his brother-in-law, Levi Chapman, of the firm of Chapman
& Roberts, contractors, and worked for them at grading on the railroad
till August 1853. He then brought his family to the present site of
the city, and engaged in boarding railroad men, and at the same time
doing a teaming business for the company in hauling stone from Grand
Detour, and other building material from Mendota, For several years
after he did contract work about the town. In 1858 or 1859 he was
elected city marshal, and held the ofiice seventeen or eighteen years,
and was also most of the same time constable and deputy sheriff'. In
1850 he was married to Miss Adeline Butler. They have had four
children, as follows: Clara, now Mrs. John Shear; Medora, died
February 5, 1869, aged fourteen years, six months and nine days ;
Jessie, died February 15, 1869, aged ten years, ten months and seven
days ; and Lillie, died February 3, 1869, aged seven years, eleven
mouths and twenty-four days. These were carried off" by scarlet fever.
Mr. Bell is an Odd-Fellow. Mrs. Bell is a member of the Baptist
church, and both belong to the Sons of Temperance.

George W. Freeman, train master Illinois Central railroad, Amboy,
son of Chauncey and Harriet (Johnson) Freeman, was born in Clark-
son, New York, in 1834, and reared on his father's farm and educated
in his native town. In 1852, when but eighteen years of age, he came
west and went to work on the Wabash railroad between Decatur and
Springfield, and in the autumn of 1853 he went to Knox countj^, Ill-
inois, where he was employed until the following March. At this
time he entered the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railroad Company as brakeman, and after six months was advanced to
a regular train, and so continued in the employment of the company
until April 1861. Immediately on the call of the president for
troops he volunteered for three months in Co. E, 17th 111. Inf, and
was appointed sergeant. After serving his time he returned home and
recruited. Co. C, 11th 111. Cav., Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, principally
about Galesburg. He was commissioned captain of this company and
went into the service, but was stricken with rheumatism and obliged
to resign, which he did in March 1862. He recovered sufficiently to

386 HISTORY OF LEE nOTJNTY,

go to work again in the summer following, and engaged with the Illi-
nois Central companj', in whose service he has been until the present
date. He was freight conductor nine years, and passenger conductor
the remainder of the time, until he was transferred in the spring of
1881 to the train master's office in Amboy. Mr. Freeman was married
January 13, 1858, to Miss Caroline Dailey, daughter of Edward Dailcy,
of Galesburg. Edward and Frederick are their two sons. Mrs. Free-
man is a Congregationalist, and he is a Knight Templar and a repub-
lican.

Joseph E. Lewis, attorney-at-law, Amboy, the youngest child of
Joseph Lewis, was born in Amboy township, December 21, 1847. His
father was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, in 1807, and his
mother, whose maiden name was Rachel Cargill, in Cheshire county,
New Hampshire, in 1806, and both are now living in Binghamton.
In 1815 they emigrated from Pennsylvania to this township with five
children, all of whom are now dead, as follows: Gaylord J., who left
here March 29, 1852, at the age of nineteen, for California, and was
never heard from after he had been there three years; James C, who
volunteered in Co. I, 89th 111. Vols., was wounded in the knee at Buz-
zard Roost, Georgia, May 9, 1864, died at Chattanooga July 23 ; John,
who enlisted in Co. G, 39th 111. Yols. (Yates' Phalanx), August 20,
1861, served on the Peninsula under McClellan,and in the Shenandoah
under Shields, discharged in January 1863, came home to Amboy and
died of disease contracted in the service, November 29, 1864; Andrew
J., who enlisted in Co. G, (Yates' Phalanx), August 2, 1861, died at
Foley Island, Charleston harbor, of typhoid lever, July 4, 1863 ; and
Electa Jane, who died in infancy the first year of their residence here.
These parents have given much to their countr3^ Both have been
members of the Methodist church since 1824, and Mr. Lewis has always
held official connection as steward, trustee, or class leader, and some-
times has filled all three of these positions at once. The subject of this
sketch did not walk on pavements of gold, nor lie upon beds of roses.
He obtained a good education by putting two years of schooling at
Mount Morris Seininary, with much hai'd private study at irregular in-
tervals, making his way as best he could by teaching school. He used
to keep up with his classes and go to school but one-third of the time.
In 1870 he began the study of law in the office of Norman Ryan, but
it was necessarily desultory'-, and several years elapsed before he was
admitted. In 1871 he was married to Miss Melissa Hayes; and from
1872 to 1875 he had charge of the Rockton public schools of Winne-
bago county as principal. He is a republican and takes an active part
in politics. His children have been as follows: Stella (dead), Ada,
Benjamin B., Paul, and Ethel.

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 387

Charles W. Deming, grocer, Amboy, is a native of Steuben county,
New York, where he was born May 1, 1817. His parents were Charles
S. and Elizabeth (Corbett) Deming, by whom he was reared a farmer
until the age of fifteen, when he was pnt to mercantile employment.
He was married September 24, 1840, to Miss Sabrina Chamberlain,
who was born September 1, 1823. Their family of seven children are
all living: Louisa S., now Mrs. Jacob L. Holmes; Charles Gaylord ;
Ann E., wife of Isaac E. Holmes; Jason L. ; Helen A., now Mrs. Na-
thaniel Burnham ; Carrie, and Olin E. Mr. Deming came west in
April 1855, and settled at Linden, Whiteside county, where he farmed
until he came to Amboy in 1864. Since that time, except one year,
he has been in business. He is an influential member of the Methodist
church, to which he has belonged since 1838. Mrs. Deming has been a
communicant in the same church since 1840. He has filled the offices
of steward, trustee, class leader, and Sabbath-school superintendent.
His connection with the Sons of Temperance dates from 1844, and he
is now the oldest member in the state, and is invested with the dignity
of grand worthy associate of the Grand Division of Illinois. Mr.
Deming is a republican. His brothers, Asaph C. and George A., died
of disease in the army ; the former at Nashville, Tennessee, and the
latter at Grand Gulf, Mississippi.

Jared Slauter, railroad yardmaster, Amboy, son of Sylvanus F.
and Lurena (French) Slauter, was born in West Stockbridge, Massa-
chusetts, in 1824. His grandfather Slauter was a veteran of tlie revo-
lution who fought in several battles. Mr. Slauter was bred to farming,
and followed that occupation until he removed to Amboy, arriving
here April 15, 1856. He was married March 30, 1847, to Miss Adeline
Lord, who died in 1849, leaving one child, Maria Adelaide, who also
died, aged nineteen. His second marriage was on November 28, 1849, to
Miss Caroline Bradley, whose death occurred May 10. 1861. She was
the mother of two children, Lurena and Frank F. On April 6, 1862,
he celebrated his third marriage with Catherine (Smith), widow of
Addison Smith, and by this union has one child, George W. Mr.
Slauter has worked for the Central Company since his settlement here,
and during the period of over twentj^-five years has not lost more than
two months' time. He was employed on tlie track for a few months at
first, next was switchman three years, and in 1859 became yardmaster,
and has held this position since. He is a republican in politics, and
has been an Odd-Fellow twenty-seven years, and filled the chaii-s of the
vice grand and noble grand. He was a Baptist when in New England.
Mrs. Slauter belongs to the Congregational church.

Frank J. Merrow, marble dealer, Amboy, son of Asa J. and
Mary C. (Norton) Merrow, was born in Bangor, Maine, in 1852. His

388 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY,

ancestors were early settlers in the colonies. His great-grandfather,
Isaac Norton, was a merchant by occupation and a native of Yingard,
Maine. He moved from there to Industry, and at a later period to
Starks, in the same state, where his life closed after over twenty years
of painful suffering from cancer in the face. He had one brother,
Benjamin. Mr. Merrow's grandfathers, William Norton and Stephen
Morrow, were revolutionary soldiers; the former was a captain, and
was wounded in action ; the latter a farmer by occupation, and lived
at Chapliain, New Hampshire, where his son Asa J., father of our
subject, was born ; after several years he removed to Dover, in the
same state, and died there. Mr. Merrow began his trade of working
in marble when seventeen years old, and served an apprenticeship of
three years in Oldtown, Maine. Early in 1869 his parents came west,
settled in Amboy two years, and tlien moved to Clear Lake, Minnesota,
where his father died June 26, 1880, aged seventy-one years and nine
months. In January, 1870, he arrived in Amboy, where he resided a
short time, and then located at Ashton in the marble business. In
the fall of 1877 he removed to this city, where he deals in headstones
and monuments, and executes a fine class of work,

John H. Long, farmer, Amboy, son of Michael and Margaret
(Long) Long, was born in Canada in 1829. His maternal grandfather,
Joseph Long, was a soldier of the revolution. His grandfather on his
father's side moved to Canada after the war, and there Mr. Long's
father was born. In 181:8 he immigrated with his parents to Sublette
township, where his father entered land, Mr, Long worked during
that year for Col. Dement, who was at the time receiver of the
land office, and in 1850 he began farming on his own account.
About that time he hauled potatoes to Chicago and peddled them
out by the peck and half bushel at twenty-five cents per bushel.
In 1850 he married Miss Sarah Jane Fessenden, daughter of William
and Sally (SpafFord) Fessenden, who were early settlers in Sublette
township, having arrived there from New England in 1837, Mrs.
Long was born on Mount St. Pisgah or St. Helen, New Hamp-
shire, in 1830. When the Central railroad was building Mr. Long
worked with his teams at grading for $1,50 per day at first, and after-
ward for the reduced sum of $1,37|^, He hauled the most of the ma-
terial for the railroad buildings at Amboy; the door and window caps
and sills from Mendota, and the brick from Brady's brick-yard in Pal-
estine Grove, four miles from the town, where Dutcher & Wyman
carried on the manufacture. Mr, Long owns 300 acres of land, 200 of
which his father-in-law entered, and on which the old settler's house,
built from lumber hauled from Chicago, is still standing. Mr, Long's
farm is worth $15,000, He is a republican, and belongs to the American

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 389

Legion of Honor, Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist
church. They have had nine children : Ellen J., now Mrs. Walter Scott ;
Sarah M., now Mrs. Geo. W. Scott; Charles F., who married Miss
Stella "Wooster ; Amanda E., wife of Frank M. Lamoile ; John H.
(dead), Samuel A., Dora E., Nettie M. and Emerson H.

Benjamin Smith, freight conductor, Amboy, youngest son of Urial
and Ruth Harriet (Ring) Smith, was born in New Gloucester, Cuin-
berland county, Maine, December 8, 1834. He was reared a farmer,
and in 1847 went to Boston. After eighteen months he returned and
lived in his native state until 1856, when he again went to Boston and
worked a year for an ice company. Two years' residence in Maine
succeeded, and in 1859 he removed west and settled with his family in
Amboy. He had been married on June 22, 1855, to Miss Rebecca R.
Farr, of Poland, in Mr. Smith's native county. She was the daughter
of William and Anna (Ridlon) Farr, and was born October 6, 1833.
From December 1859 until 1863 Mr. Smith was a brakeman on the
Central, but at the last date he was advanced to conductor. In 1868
he removed to Livingston county, this state, where he had purchased
a farm in Sullivan township, and gave his hand for a few years to the
plow. But he could not subdue the enchantment of railroading, and
so returned to the old employment, leaving his family to live upon the
farm. In 1875 they removed to Chatsworth and lived a year, and the
next spring came to Amboy, where they have since resided. Mrs.
Smith belongs to the United Brethren church, and Mr. Smith is a re-
publican, and a member of the American Legion of Honor. They have
two daughters, Mary Ella, born in Maine, June 12, 1859; and Harriet,
born July 27, 1861. Both graduated at the Amboy High School in
the class of 1879.

George F. Morgan, railroad conductor, Amboy, was born in Car-
bondale, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1843, and was
the youngest child of William J. and Barbara (Lewis) Morgan. His
parents came from Wales when young. In 1858 Mr. Morgan left his
home and reached Dubuque, and two years later went to braking on
the Central. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted for one year as a recruit in
Co. A, 11th 111. Inf., and joined it at Memphis. When it was mustered
out he was transferred to Co. H, 46th 111. Inf., and was with this at
Baton Rouge, Shreveport and New Orleans, and was mustered out at
the latter place in October 1865. During most of the time he was on
detached service at division headquarters, as clerk. After this he fol-
lowed railroading on the Central, and selling groceries in Amboy, and
in 1869 became a conductor. In 1868 he was married to Miss Joanna
Badger, daughter of Simon Badger, by whom he has three children :
Mabel R., born March 10, 1869; Simon C, September 11, 1872, and

390 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Maud E., January 9, 1873. Both parents are members of the Meth-
odist church. Mr. Morgan is a republican, and belongs to Illinois Cen-
tral Lodge No. 178, A.F. and A.M. ; Nachusa Chapter No. 52, Dixon ;
and Dixon Commandery No. 21.

Albert E. Merwine, freight and ticket agent on the Rock Falls
branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, Amboy, is the
son of Harris D. and Thurza (Morris) Merwine, and a native of Paw
Paw in this county, where he was born in 1853. His parents emigrated
from Pennsylvania about 1845. Mr. Merwine worked at farming and
tending store for some years, and in 1872 accepted the position of sta-
tion agent at Hinsdale, on the main line of the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy railroad. In 1873 he was transferred to Amboy. His marriage
with Miss Irene M. Cole, of this city, was in September 1875. Carrie
is their only child. Mr. Merwine is a republican, an Odd-Fellow, and
a workman. His grandfather, Isaac Morris, was a drummer boy of
1812, and draws a pension.

Russell W. Rosier, deceased, youngest son of Sylvester and Electa
C. (Reppley) Rosier, was born in Bennington, Vermont, December 17,
1829. His parents settled in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, about
1845, and two or three years afterward he went to work as a brake-
man, and followed railroading the rest of his life. He was brakeman
two years, fireman two more, and then was given an engine, and re-
mained at that post until his death. On April 2, 1857, he was united
in marriage with Miss Louisa Hinchcliff, daughter of Titus and Amelia
(Davis) Hinchcliff, of De Soto, Jackson county, Illinois. She was born
January 17, 1840. In October Mr. Rosier settled in Amboy. In 1859
he went to Tennessee and was engineer on the Nashville & Chatta-
nooga railroad ; in a few months he was followed by Mrs. Rosier, and
they established their home at Cowan Station, at the foot of the Cum-
berland mountains, on the west side. They remained there until the
cloud of civil war obliged them to take refuge in the north, and then
returned to this city. Mr. Rosier reentered the service of the Central
company, and never more tried a change. His death came February 7,
1881. His ajffiliations were with the Masons and the Engineers' Broth-
erhood, and he was chief of division No. 72 of the last organization at
the date of his death. Himself and his wife were members of the
Methodist church, and he had filled the offices of steward and trustee.
In politics he was a republican. Their only child was an adopted
daughter, Emma May. Mr. Rosier was an industrious, reliable man,
of few words but decisive action. He had strong domestic habits and
attachments, and was known and respected for his christian kindness
and benevolent disposition. His remains were interred in Prairie Re-
pose cemetery.

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 391

Michael Egan, builder, Araboy, was born in Kilrush, county of
Clare, Ireland, September 26, 1821. He received a fair education.
His father, John Egan, was a mason, and from him he learned the
same trade, beginning when fifteen years old, and serving an appren-
ticeship of seven 3'ears. He was employed largely on government
works. In the spring of 1846 he arrived in New York city and went
to work for Matthias and Freeman Bloodgood, contractors, on a bonded
warehouse. At the end of twenty months he removed to Springfield,
Massachusetts, and worked at his trade seven years for Capt. Charles
McClellan. In the last place he became a naturalized citizen. In the
winter of 1852-3 he was employed by J. B. Wyman to come west to
work on the Illinois Central. He arrived in February, and commenced
on bridges and culverts south of La Salle, and in June following came to
Amboy and began the erection of the railroad buildings, whose con-
struction he superintended until the last was finished. From that time
till the present he has been in the employ of this company, except
during the four years between 1876 and 1880. He is now their in-
spector and purchasing and disbursing agent for cord-wood and cross-
ties. Mr. Egan has been alderman several terms and mayor twice,
director of the public schools and secretary of the board of education,
and a foremost actor in the public business of the community. His
family are Catholics, and the first services of this church, in Ambo}',
were in his house. His first marriage was in 1844, with Miss Ellen
Morrissy, daughter of John and Bridget Morrissj'. Her death was on
January 27, 1869, when about forty-five years of age. She was the
mother of eleven children, as follows: Bridget (dead), Susan (dead),
John, Ellen (dead), Peter, Michael Francis, Alfred, Joseph, Mary,
Benjamin and Teressa (dead). He was married a second time in 1872,
to Mrs. Helen (Stewart), widow of James Barrie. Her children were
Lizzie, Robert, and Jemima. By the last marriage there are two living
children, Ellen and William A. S.

Betant B. Howard, general foreman of the Illinois Central rail-
road shops at Amboy, was born in Chicago September 13, 1836, and
was the third child of Leonard and Caroline Esther (Smith) Howard.
His father was a contractor, and came to Chicago from Buffalo, Kew
York, in 1836, and built the first brick building ever erected in that
city. In 1853 Mr. Howard went to learn the machinist's trade, and
soon after completing it came to Amboy, arriving August 3, 1856.
He M'as at once employed in the Central shops, and in 1858 he took
charge of the Roundhouse as foreman ; in 1866 he was promoted to
general foreman of all the shops, and has since filled that position.
He was married January 3, 1860, to Miss Mary Kaley, who was born
in 1838, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to which place her parents ha,d

392 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

emigrated from Switzerland about 1836. Four children have been
born to them, viz : George, Josephine, Fannie and Maud. Mr. Howard
has been alderman one term ; he is a member of Illinois Central Lodge
No. 178, A.F. and A.M., Friendship Council No. 567, A.L.H., Ee-
form division No. 555, Sons of Temperance, and is a prohibitionist in
politics.

Edavakd S. Reynolds, carpenter and joiner, Amboy, son of Hat-
field and Lydia (Salsbery) Reynolds, is a native of Susquehanna county,
Pennsylvania, and was born there August 18, 1827. He was reared
on a farm, but learned his trade before he became of age. In Septem-
ber, 1853, he was married to Miss Mary E. Dean, and the next De-
cember removed to Illinois and located for the time being at Bing-
hamton. Mr. Reynolds erected one of the two first houses in Amboy,
and in August, 1854, occupied it with his family, and claims to have
been the first to move into the place after it was laid out, though this
point is disputed by Dr. Bainter, who makes the same claim for him-
self. He was one of the first board of aldermen after Amboy became
a city, and was a charter member of Illinois Central Lodge No. 178,
A.F. and A.M. His first wife died in 1867, and in 1871 he took Miss
Mary A. Fairman in marriage. He has two sons by his first wife,
Edgar W. and Charles L., and by the second, William G. Mrs. Rey-
nolds is a communicant in the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr.
Reynolds, who was formerly a whig, is now a republican.

Henry Chapin, farmer, Amboy, was born in Now York in 1824.
He was the fifth child of Aretus and Anna (Rico) Chapin, who emi-
grated from Yermont to New York. He was reared a blacksmith,
went to his trade at fifteen, and worked at it forty years. In the spring
of 1845 he came by the lakes to Illinois, and settled in Oswego, Ken-
dall county. Here he was married on the 1st of May 1850, to Miss
Adelia L. Butler, sister to C. M. Butler and Mrs. C. W. Bell, of Am-
boy. She came from Michigan to Illinois in 1844. In 1852 he settled
in Lockport, Will county, and in the fall of 1855 in Amboy. He
erected the first blacksmith shop on the east side of the railroad, and
the second in the town, and in the course of time combined with cus-
tom work the manufacture of wagons and carriages. After forty years
of intensely earnest, driving work at the forge, he called forth the fare-
well echoes of his anvil in September 1879. He owns three farms ag-
gregating 400 acres, and valued at $13,000. These tell the story of his
toil. Both Mr. and Mrs. Chapin are meml^ers of the Methodist church,
and the former was one of the building committee who had the erec-
tion of the new edifice in charge. In politics he is a republican. Their
children are Frank H., Addie G. and Ella May.

Elavil F. Northway, farmer and stock raiser, Amboy, is a native

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 393

of Steuben county, New York, where he was born May 4, 1844. His
parents, Francis H. and Minerva (Stewart) Nortiiway, removed west
in the autumn of 1844, and settled on the S.E. I Sec. 3, T. 20, R.
10, two miles north of Amboy, He enlisted in October, 1864, in Co.
C, 7th 111. Cav., Col. Graham. He served his time in Tennessee, Mis-
sissippi and Alabama, scouting and doing guard and garrison duty,
and was mustered out in October, 1865, at Huntsville, Alabama. He
was married in 1873, to Miss Olive S. Tracy. Two children have been
born to them : Daisy M. (dead), and Guy. Mr. Northway owns the
old homestead on which he was reared, which is valued at $8,000.
This was swept by the great tornado of 1860. The buildings were
blown to atoms. The family, seven in number, escaped with their
lives, but were more or less injured. This storm killed one-seventh of
all who were in its track. Mr. Northway is a democrat.

There are two Trude families in this countiy, one of French and
the other of Englisli extraction. The former is the one to which we
refer in the present sketch. John Trude, the founder of the name in
America, was impressed into the French navy at the age of eleven and
was held until he had performed eleven years' service. On his return
home he could learn nothing of his family, and as the Marquis Lafay-
ette was preparing to depart for America, he joined him as an adven-
turer, enlisting in the cause of the colonies. After his arrival upon our
shores he fought at Brandywine and other places, and at the close of
the war settled at Horseneck, Rhode Island, where he married an
American woman named Baker. Here they had a son, William B., born
June 21, 1790. He married Betsy Eldridge, who was born the same
year in Washington county, New York, and whose father bore arms
at Crown Point, Bennington, Stony Point, and Saratoga. This couple
are buried at St. Charles, Kane county. Mr. Trude was aged seventy-
seven at his death, and his companion sixty-three. William E. Trude,
their son, is a locomotive engineer, and resides at Amboy. He was
born December 29, 1831, in Lisbon, St. Lawrence county. New York,
and reared on his father's farm. In 1852 he came west, and in March,
1855, settled in this place in the employ of the Central company. On
July 6, 1858, he was married to Miss Candace Rolf, of his native town,
who was born December 25, 1835. Her mother died June 9, 1839, at
about thirty-five 3^ears of age, and her father in 1879, aged eighty-six.
Two sons have blessed their union : Fred W., born July 19, 1859, who
graduated at the Amboy High School in the class of 1877, and married
March 24, 1881, to Miss Josephine McCorniack ; and Frank, born
April 3, 1868. Mrs. Trude is a member of the Methodist church.
Mr. Trude is a Mason, a workman, and a member of the Engineers'
Brotherhood.

394 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Herbert A. Millard, painter, Amboy, is the son of Ira and Lo-
rinda (Cargill) Millard, wlio moved to this place from La Salle county,
Illinois, in January 1856. His father was born September 5, 1817,
and his mother in Windham, Greene county, ISTew York, September
3, 1829. Tiie maternal grandfatiier of the latter was Amos Parker, a
revolutionary soldier, who served seven years, and had the distin-
guished honor of saving the life of Gen. Lafayette at Yorktown. The
latter, in giving orders for an assault, had directed that not a gun should
be fired, but this soldier discovered a British sharpshooter drawing aim
on Lafayette, and he hastened to bring him down in spite of orders.
When tlie general visited this country in 1821 he sent to Mr. Parker,
who was living in Augusta, Oneida county, New York, to meet him at
Utica, in the same county, and he did so. Dnrino; the revolution Mr.
Parker lived at Wallingford, Connecticut, but in 1793 moved to New
York, and here Mrs. Millard's mother, Elizabeth Parker, was born on
August 9 of that 3'ear. She was three times married : first to Abram
Cargill, next to Riverius Wilcox, and last to Calvin Chipman, a vet-
eran of the war of 1812. In 1838 she removed with her second husband
to La Salle county. She died in Amboy April 14, 1881, in her eighty-
eighth 3'ear. Mr. and Mrs. Millard were married in 1849. After their
settlement here the former was some time engaged in trade in a feed
and flour store. They had the following children : Ida E., born Sep-
tember 10, 1850, married April 13, 1870, to Wm. C. Miner, of Mus-
kegon, Michigan ; Noble J. B., born September 17, 1852 ; Herbert A.,
born January 23, 1859, married Miss Jennie Spencer July 25, 1880 ;
Clarence A., born August 20, 1863 ; Ira Adelbert, born March 18,
1868, and an infant born and died March 17, 1856. Besides these chil-
dren of their own they reared Stephen Z. Hartley, a nephew of Mr.
Millard, from the age of four till he was eighteen 3^ears old. He
learned the shoemaker's trade, and the printer's trade in the Amboy
" Journal" ofiico, and was a promising young man. In November, 1862,
he enlisted in the 17th U. S. Inf., and in the following March
was sent to Fort Preble, Portland, Maine, where he died on the 17th
of the next April from small-pox.

Alexander H. Wooster, farmer, Amboy, born in Owego, Tioga
county, N-ew York, April 6, 1829, was the son of Calvin and Hannah
(Matson) Wooster. His ancestors were early settlers in Connecticut.
Mr. Wooster was graduated at the high school at Cleveland, Ohio,
about 1846, and bred to mercantile life. On December 9, 1851, he was
united in marriage with Miss Ruth Harding, of Freedom, La Salle
county, Illinois, and by her has had four children : Charles H., Stella
A., wife of Charles F. Long; Anna, now Mrs. D. C. Badger, and Wm.
L. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Wooster came to Amboy, and on his ar-

jm^ li, 7}ujtAju^

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 397

rival set up in a general merchandise business with A. E. Wilcox, and
continued it subsequently with his brother David G. Wooster and
others. After a few years he moved to a farm adjacent to the city lim-
its on the northwest, where he now resides ; this comprises 204 acres.
Mr. Wooster is a member of Illinois Central Lodge, No 178, A.F. and
A.M., and has occupied the master's chair in that lodge nine terms.
He was first installed in December 1869, and served five years in suc-
cession, and after an interim of two years came to that position again
four years more. Both himself and wife are members of the Baptist
church of Amboy.

Asa B. Seakles, farmer, Amboy, born at Cincinnatus (now Pitcher),
Chenango county, New York, January 27, 1810, was the next to the
last in a family of six children by Elihu and Ruth Ann (Hawley)
Searles, The children were named Harrj^, Abram, Lemuel, Asa, David
and Pamelia. The mother had three children, Polly, Phebe, and
Fanny, by a former marriage. Three of Mr. Searles' uncles, Gideon,
Abram, and Isaac Hawley, were soldiers of the i^evolution ; and Lemuel
Hawley was a sea captain in the service of Stephen Girard, and died of
yellow fever at Philadelphia. His father was in the military service in
the last war with Great Britain, and died at Sackett's Harbor ; and
William Morgan, of anti-Masonic celebritv, brouo^ht vouns; Searles the
first tidings of his father's death. At the age of twelve he was bound
to Edmund Meigs, of Tinkertown (now Hobart), to learn the cabinet
trade, but being the youngest apprentice in the shop was made to do
all the drudgery, and was so ill-treated that after staying a year and a
half he ran away, and at length found a home with his brother Harry,
at Marathon, and lived with him until he was sixteen, getting in the
meantime but half a term's schoolino^. Going now to South Bain-
bridge, he lived there four or five j^ears, and attended school where his
brother Lemuel taught. Joe Smith, the coming prophet, was a fellow-
pupil, with whom, uncle Asa says, he had many a wrestle ; but young
Smith was a large, strong fellow and could handle any of the boys.
He was lazy, but kind-hearted, had a large brain and a good deal of
ability. The whole family of Smiths, including the mother, were bony,
stout-built persons, and in a little while they had all settled in that
neighborhood. At nineteen Mr. Searles began teaching school and
piloting on the Susquehanna river. This last business he followed six
years; he contracted heavy jobs of rafting and floating logs and lum-
ber ; employed as many as 200 men ; and cleared $3,000 in spite of
some large losses. On September 19, 1832, he was married to Patience
Stockwell, of Bainbridge. He left that place August 19, 1837, with a
two-horse team, accompanied by thirteen persons, and arrived at Pales-
tine Grove October 11, and entered the land and settled where he
24

398 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

lives. Altogether Mr. Searles entered sixteen "eighties," and bought,
besides, 200 acres in May township. At this time the land office was
at Galena, and Col. Dement the receiver. The land about Palestine
Grove did not come into market until the fall of 1841, but in the vicin-
ity of Dixon it was placed on sale a few years earlier, on petition of
Father Dixon. Mr. Searles took no little personal interest in the set-
tling up of the country, and entertained land-hunters in lai-ge numbers,
and drove about the wild prairies with them days upon days in the un-
wearying labor of showing claims. In 1848 he laid out the village of
Binghamton. He erected a hotel bearing the name of the place; and
a store in which he traded nearly two j'ears. We have not the space
to recount the numerous activities with which his name has been asso-
ciated, but in short he has been a live man, from whose gettings many
have profited more than he, a result which may be charged with equal
justice to his generosity and his convivial habits. He was appointed
postmaster about 1840, by Amos Kendall, and kept the office at his
house ; again he was commissioned under Polk, and the office was kept
in his store at Binghamton. He resigned, and Warren Badger suc-
ceeded only a short time before the removal to Amboy. Mrs. Searles
died December 19, 1846; and in 1852 Mr. Searles married Miss Am-
anda Headlee, by whom he has five sons: Lemuel B., Frederick D.,
John Henry, Frank Leslie, and Levi Headlee. Lemuel went with
Gen. Custer to Dakota in the 7th United States cavalry, and served
sixteen months. Mr. Searles has been coroner; and he assessed Amboy
the first time that service was ever performed.

Mrs. Caroline A. Bartlett, widow of William C. Bartlett, Am-
boy, was the daughter of Hosea and Clementine Yinton, of North
Woodstock, Connecticut, where her English and Scotch ancestors set-
tled in the earliest days of the colony, when the people of the neigh-
borhood had to work in gangs of twenty or thirty to be prepared to
resist the Indians, and at night went four miles together to the fort on
Muddy Brook. In 1847 Mrs. Bartlett was united in marriage with Dan-
ford Bartlett, who was killed at Hartford, Connecticut, October 6, 1852.
He was assisting to load a boiler on a car, when it accidentally rolled
over him, crushing him to death. On October 18, 1854, she celebrated
her second marriage, with William C. Bartlett, who was a native of
Edinburgh, New York, where he was born November 23, 1824. His
father died when he was a lad, and at the age of thirteen his mother
started with her family for Racine, Wisconsin, but died on the way.
Orphaned at this early age, he now lived with his brother James and
with his sister, working on a farm until he was eighteen, when he
apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade, and followed this the rest
of his life. He came to Amboy in the fall of 1853. Immediately on

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 399

his marriage, the first in the village of Amboy, he settled in Eacine,
Wisconsin, where he at once became under-sheriff of the county, and
was in this position three years. Keturning to this city in May, 1858,
he was employed in the car shops from that time until his death, which
occurred suddenly December 10, 1874. Mr. Bartlett was received into
the fellowship of the Adventist church in 1859, became a leading mem-
ber of the society, and was respected by all the community. He was a
nephew of OIney, the geographer. Mrs. Bartlett was the mother of
one child by her first marriage. This died in infancy. By the second
two sons were born to her: William E., died in infancy, and Frank
Eugene.

Rev. Daniel S. Clark, Amboy, was born of Puritan stock in
Ellington, Connecticut, January 25, 1822. While yet young his parents,
David and Sarah (Bartlett) Clark, moved to West Woodstock, where
he learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1846 was married to Miss
Nancy M. Yinton, of North Woodstock. With his young wife he
went to Southbridge and lived four years, and then moved to Racine,
Wisconsin, for three years. While working at his trade in Chicago he
was employed by the Illinois Central Railroad Company to put up
buildings on their line of road, and in the autumn of 1853 he reached
Amboy, where he superintended the wood-work on the railroad build-
ings at this place. He afterward built a planing-mill and dealt in lum-
ber here ; but in 1859 he took leave of this business and of his trade
and began as a regular exhorter in the Second Advent Christian church,
and in 1860 was ordained at Binghamton to pi-each. Prior to this
time Mr. Clark had been a Baptist and a Methodist, and had displayed
great zeal and activity in labors to suppress the sale and use of intox-
icating stimulants. He preached for the Adventist society at Amboy
several years ; he was located at Sparland, Illinois, fifteen months ; at
Sparta, Wisconsin, two years; at Putnam and Dennisonville, Con-
necticut, a year and a half; at Scituate, Rhode Island, one year; at
Boston and Plymouth, Massachusetts, one year; and in July, 1880, he
returned to his old home in this city, and is now ministering to a
church at Brodhead, Wisconsin. Mrs. Clark's great-grandfather Leach
was a veteran of the war of the revolution. She was formerly a com-
municant in the Baptist church, but has since united with the church
to which her husband belongs.

William N. Fasoldt, deceased, was a native of Germany, where
he was born April 5, 1825, He was a jeweler, and emigrated to Amer-
ica about 1850. He lived in Albany, New York, three years, and then
at South Bend, Indiana, where he married Miss Pauline Bower. In
1864 he came to Amboy, and set up in the jewelry business. He was
once burnt out, besides having a fire in his new brick hall erected in

400 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

1871. In this last year Mr. Fasoldt retired from the jewelry business,
and died June 6, 18S0, at the age of fifty-five years, two months and
one day. His remains lie in Prairie Kepose cemeter^^ He had three
children by his first marriage : Mary, now Mrs. Christ. Yogel, living
at Storm Lake, Iowa ; Edward, whose whereabouts have been un-
known for nine years, and Anna M. Mr. Fasoldt's wife died in March,
1865, and he married Miss Rena Teal January 17, 1868. She was
born November 12, 1841:, and was the daughter of Charles and Marga-
ret (Scholbar) Teal. Her parents came to America from Germany in
1847, arriving at Lee Center in May, having come all the way to Chi-
cago by water, and the remainder of the journey by country teams
which had been to market. The family settled a mile north of Lee
Center. The father died September 22, 1860, aged fifty-four, and the
mother June 11, 1880, at the age of sixty-seven years. They are
buried in the Lee Center cemetery. Mrs. Fasoldt is a member of the First
Congregational church of Amboy.

Maktin Maus emigrated from Germany in 1850, when twenty-
four years old. He lived in Chicago till 1854, when he came to Am-
boy, where he married Miss Christina Teal, who has borne him four
children : Charles, Rena, Sophia, and Henry. He has been in the
harness business twenty-seven years altogether, and in the trade for
himself eighteen years.

"William H, Hale, passenger conductor, Amboy, was born in
Harmony township, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, March 15,
1838. In 1845 his parents, Alva and Clara (Root) Hale, removed to
Lee county, and settled at Temperance Hill, in China township.
About'1855 they changed their home to Sublette township, where Mrs.
Hale died, in Januar^^ 1879, aged seventy-six years, and Mr. Hale in
May 1881, at the age of eighty-five. The subject of this sketch went
to railroading on the Central in 1857, and in May, 1861, enlisted in
Co. C, 13th 111. rego He was severely wounded in the right knee by
a fragment of shell at Chickasaw Bayou, December 29, 1862. After
the fall of Yicksburg he was detailed for service in the quartermaster's
department, where he passed the remainder of his term, except two
months at the close, and was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois,
June 18, 1864. On his return he resumed the position of baggage-
man, which he vacated at the outbreak of the war, and in two years
was promoted to conductor. He was married June 5, 1867, to Miss
Letitia W. Wicks, of Davenport, Iowa. She was born February 22,
1849. Their son, Henry V., is ten years of age, and their adopted
daughter, Louie, nine. Mr. and Mrs. Hale are members of the Episco-
pal church. He is an Odd-Fellow, a Mason, a Knight of Pythias,
belongs to the American Legion of Honor, and Bethany Commandery,

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 401

'No. 28, Mendota, of which he has been eminent commander two years.
This commandery presented Mr. Hale an elegant sword in 1880. Mr.
Hale's father was remarkable for his good health. He was never so
sick as to need an attendant, and his last illness was only of a few
hours' duration. He died of heart disease, greatly respected by a
numerous acquaintance.

John M. Blocher, retired, Amboy, was born January 8, 1804, in
the kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany. He learned the carpenter's
trade, and in 1824 went to France and followed that business seven
years, at 18 cents per day in summer and 10 cents per day in winter.
Returning to Germany in 1831, he emigrated to America and lived in
Connecticut nine years, working as a farm laborer most of the time.
On April 9, 1838, he was married to Miss Hannah S. Schafer, who
was born October 20, 1813. In 1841 he moved to Bradford county,
Pennsylvania, and settled in the woods, where he cleared a farm and
lived until 1849. He then came to Illinois and made a home a mile
and a half north of Amboy, on the farm now owned by Henry 0.
Shaw's heirs. In 1868 he sold this property and moved to Amboy.
Mr. Blocher united with the Congregational church in Connecticut in
1837, and Mrs. Bolcher in 1839. Three of their children are now
members of the same church. Mr. Blocher and his wife assisted to or-
ganize the Congregational church of Amboy, and they and Mr. and
Mrs. John C. Church are the only siTrviving original members of this
society. Mr. Blocher has given his active support to the temperance
cause in every practicable way. He belonged to the first division of
the Sons of Temperance ever in existence here; this was organized at
Binghamton, but moved to Amboy as soon as Farwell Hall was ready
for occupancy. He has been a republican since the party was formed,
and during the war was connected with the Union League. Mr. and
Mrs. Blocher are the parents of nine children, as follows: John
G. (dead), Mary E., wife of Newton Campbell, living in Dakota;
William L. (dead), Hannah S., now Mrs. Thomas Coster, living in
Dakota; John G., "William L. (dead), Henry S., Rebecca B., wife
of Curtis Bridgman ; and Agnes B., born December 16, 1851, wife
of Joseph Blackman, to whom she was married December 22, 1873.
Mr. Blackman is a native of England, where he was born June 21,
1845 ; his parents, John and Mary Blackman, who reside three miles
above Dixon, emigrated to this country in 1850, and about 1856
settled in Lee county. He has been on the railroad sixteen years;
seven years as fireman, and the remainder as engineer, and all the
time in the employ of the Central company. Mr. and Mrs. Blackman
have one son, Henry J., born October 6, 1874. She has belonged

402 - HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

to the Baptist church since the age of fourteen. He is a Mason,
and a member of the Engineers' Brotherhood.

Oscar Spanglek, confectioner, Amboy, was born in Muskingum
county, Ohio, in 1842. In 1857 he moved with his parents, Benjamin
and Lydia (Bell) Spangler, to Lee county, and made a home in Marion
township, where his father died November 12, 1880. Mr. Spangler
volunteered in June, 1862, in Co. K, 69th 111. reg., for six months,
and served his time. In the fall of 1863 he began on the Central
railroad and followed it as fireman two years, and then was given a
locomotive to run. He continued as engineer until June 29, 1876,
when he met with a disaster which nearly cost him his life. Two
cars, one empty, the other loaded, were let out of the switch, in
some manner, at Baileyville, and ran down the track in the direc-
tion of Freeport, crossed the Yellow Creek bridge, and ascended
the grade on the other side as far as their momentum would propel
them, and had reversed their motion and were coming back toward
the creek, and were within fifty yards of the bridge, when Mr. Spang-
ler's train of thirty-two cars struck them. The time was midnight,
and the weather warm, rainy, and a little foggy. The engine
and twenty-six cars were totally wrecked. A tramp sleeping in one
of the wild cars was killed. Mr. Spangler's iireman was seriously
injured, and he himself still worse ; so that he was two years recovering,
and was on crutches that length of time; in fact he has not recovered,
and never will, entire soundness. In December, 1876, he opened a
cigar and confectionery store and restaurant in Amboy, and is at present
engaged in tliat business. He is an Odd-Fellow and a republican. He
was first married July 2, 1866, to Miss S. A. Shew, who bore two
children, Harriet and Joseph, and died January 29, 1878. His second
marriage was November 27, 1879, with Miss E. M. Foskey. She is a
Congregationalist.

James H. Pkeston, county superintendent of schools, Amboy, was
born at Kochester, New York, June 3, 1820, and was the son of James
and Mary (Gorham) Preston. He was reared a farmer, trained to hard
work, and educated in the common schools, in which he received
thorough practical English mental training. In the East his principal
occupation was farming, but he taught fourteen winters in succession
in district schools. On May 16, 1845, he was married to Miss Nancy
Ann Maydole, who was born in 1824. Their five children were named
as follows : Albert W. (dead), Frances (dead), Addie, Charles F., and
Bertie. On June 22, 1854, Mr. Preston arrived with his family from
New York, and located in Marion township, on railroad land at $2.50
per acre. Leaving his tamily on the farm, the following season he went
to Binghamton and took control of the LTnion store, as agent, and con-

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 403

ducted the business until its affairs were wound up in the spring of
1857. He fanned from that time till 1865. In that year he was
elected county superintendent of schools, and served two terms of four
years each; in 1873 he ran as an independent candidate against a re-
publican and a " granger " nominee, but was distanced in the race by
the former. But in 1877 he recovered the position, and at the present
time is discharging its duties. Since 1865 his residence has been in
Ambo}^, and he is serving his second year as alderman. In Marion
township he was justice of the peace and assessor. He is a republican,
and has taken a lively interest in political and other matters of public
concern, and since 1858 has attended every political convention of im-
portance held in the county. Near the close of the war his son Albert
(now deceased) enlisted in the 140th 111. Yols. for 100 days, and did
military service for five months in Missouri and Tennessee. Mr. Pres-
ton's ancestors came to Massachusetts in colonial times (from Ireland,
it is supposed). His grandfather Preston was a soldier of the revolu-
tion, and his father was called into service in the last war with Great
Britain, and was marching on Plattsburg when that battle was fought.
His maternal ancestors were sea-faring people, engaged in the whale
fishery, and lived at ISTantucket.

Col. George Ryon, physician and surgeon, Amboy, was born in
Pennsylvania, June 5, 1827. His great-grandfather, John Ryon, was
an Irishman, and emigrated to New England ; his grandfather, who
bore the same name, was a revolutionary soldier, who fought through
the whole war. Col. Ryon passed his early life on his father's farm,
and when he began on his own account entered the medical profession.
He studied first with Dr. Isaac Ives, and next with Wheeler & Holden,
of Kendall county ; and after two courses of lectures at Rush Medical
College, Chicago, graduated in 1851. He located in practice at
Paw Paw, in this county, in 1850 ; in 1856 he commenced the study
of law and was admitted to the bar two years after ; but he did not
quit his medical practice, as he found it impossible to shake off his old
patrons. In 1860 he was elected by the republican party to the gen-
eral assembly as representative from Lee and Whitesides counties, and
was a member when the war broke out. He served one term at that
time ; and in August, 1862, he raised Co. K, 75th 111. Vols., and on the
organization of the regiment was elected colonel. Within eight days
after leaving Dixon his command participated in the battle of Perry-
ville. Owing to failing health he was obliged to resign, which he did
about the beginning of 1863. In 1866 he was again elected to the leg-
islature from this county. In 1869 he removed to Amboy, and started
a private bank ; in 1873 he discontinued this business and settled in
Streator, where he incorporated the Streator Coal Company with a

404 HISTOEY OF LEE COUISTTY.

capital of $200,000. On his removal to Chicago in 1876 he resumed
the practice of medicine, and has since continued it. He returned to
Amboy in 1879 to reside. In 1852 he took Miss Ruth Ann Ives in
marriage, and by her has an only daughter, Carrie S., who graduated
at the Chicago University, at the age of nineteen, in a four-years
course, and did not lose a day from her classes in the whole time.

Hard labor is the most productive when united with thoughtful
calculation. A good example of what a perfect union of thought, in-
dustry and energy can do when concentrated upon a single object is to
be seen in the life of Lewis Clapp. He came from ISTorthampton,
Massachusetts, as a member of the Northampton colony, and located
at Princeton, Bureau county. They arrived on June 1, 1836, having
been just a month on their journey. Some time in the summer Mr.
Clapp was powerfully converted to religion, and though he never
chose to become a member of any church, he was during the remainder
of his life an exact, consistent christian, who never omitted to invoke
the heavenly blessing at his table, or to bring his daily offering of
prayer to the family altar. From his settlement here till 1846 he was
a hard laborer at the plow and in the stock business, but at the same time
was employing his i-eflections in a way to make his industry bring the
most gain. From the last date during a period of twenty years he
gradually withdrew his hand from rigid toil, until he became ex-
clusively a money-lender, and this business engaged his whole atten-
tion for the last ten years of his life. About 1852 he began operating
in land, which was a lucrative business, and good fortune, made possible
by good judgment, followed all his transactions. His land speculations
lasted some five years. People to whom he lent money usually pros-
pered ; not because they paid interest, but because he always calculated
their ability to pay back the funds borrowed without impairment of the
security, and noted the circumstances favorable or unfavorable to their
doing so; and if such consideration left him any question concerning
the applicant he would fail to get money. This speaks not only a good
deal for his judgment but very much also for his integrity. For twenty-
five years he was a leading farmer and citizen of Lee county, and took
a prominent part in all measures for the common welfare. As a matter
of personal interest he was a member of the Grove Association, but in
that he was recognized as a man of wise counsel. It was as a member
of the Vigilance Committee, however, during the troubled times that
the country was harrassed by the bandits, that he conspicuously dis-
pla3"ed his earnestness and enthusiasm in pursuit of evil-doers, and the
maintenance of public order and securit3^ It is interesting to know
that he espoused the doctrines of the abolitionists with so much fervor
that he threw open his house to those apostles of emancipation, Owen

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 405

Lovejoy and Deacon Hannan, for them to preach in, when denomina-
tional places of worship were closed in their faces. He went so much
further as to put his principles into effect by operating on the under-
ground railroad and delivering fugitive slaves in Canada, a place toward
which they toiled with eager longing while their hearts burned with
the ardent fires of liberty. His first marriage was in 1836, but his
wife dying in 1839 he married again in 1840. His only son, Ozro W.,
was born in 1836. Mr. Clapp bought his first claim, IST.W. ^ Sec. 8,
in Lee Center township. In 1837 he sold his corn crop for $1,000,
In 1839 he built the first frame house in the eastern part of the county,
and hauled his lumber from Chicago with ox-teams. Perfect system
and aggressive enterprise characterized all he did, and he startled easy-
going people by building at an early day a frame barn in the new set-
tlement. He gave largely toward the construction of the Lee Center
Academy, and had a lively appreciation of the benefits of popular
education, and at last gave very striking proof of his faith.

William E. Ives, attorney, Amboy, was born in Chautauqua
county, ISTew York, May 24, 1821. His father was a farmer and sur-
veyor, and in 1834 emigrated with his family to Kendall county, Illi-
nois. He was the first recorder of deeds in that county, and subse-
quently was probate judge two successive terms. In 1854 he removed
to Amboy, and died here March 18, 1864, aged seventy-five years. The
subject of this sketch received an academic education, and in 1854 was
admitted to the bar in Kendall county ; he came to Amboy the same
year, and is now the only lawyer in the county who has practiced here
since that date. Mr. Ives was mayor of Amboy from 1861 to 1865,
and prosecuting attorney of Lee county between 1872 and 1876.
Politically he is a republican, and he has belonged to the Baptist
church since 1841. Mrs. Ives is a member of long standing in the
same church. On December 8, 1841, he was married to Miss Susan
Kyan. They have three living children : Charles E., Esther M. and
James R. Charles is junior member of the law firm of W, E. Ives &
Son. He served three months in 1862 in Co. K, 69th 111. Vols., and re-
enlisted in October 1864, in Co. G, 146th reg., and was mustered out
the next July. James is a graduate from the Rochester University, of
New York, and is a practicing attorney in Denver, Colorado.

Charles K. Dixon, train dispatcher Illinois Central railroad, Am-
boy, youngest child of John and Matilda (Savage) Dixon, was born in
1846, in Grandy, Shefiord county, Province of Quebec, Canada. He
received a good English education in his native town. On May 24,
1861, he was mustered into the United States service, Co. H, 15th 111.
Inf., Capt. (afterward Gen.) John Pope. This regiment was brigaded
with the 21st 111., Col. U. S. Grant, the 6th and the 7th Missouri, one

406 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

battalion of Col. Marshall's 1st 111. Cav., and Capt. Mann's Missouri
battery, the whole under command of Col. Grant. This was the first
brigade of the first corps formed in the west. The corps was numbered
1st and transferred to Fremont's department, and went through his
whole campaign. Mr. Dixon was at Springfield, Missouri, when Gen.
Fremont was superseded by Gen. Hunter. He was moved from that
state to Fort Donelson in time to participate in the brilliant and suc-
cessful operations against that stronghold. He was next engaged at
Shiloh, and was wounded in the hip early in the first day's action.
This disability placed him on the non-efi^ective force ninety days. He
fought, subsequently, at Metamora, sometimes called '"' Hell on the
Hatchie "; this engagement was followed by his service in the siege of
Yicksburg, and then the second battle of Ciiampion Hills, in which the
loth reg. was on the skirmish line. This service of Mr. Dixon's was
interlarded with the usual complement of small fights. He was mus-
tered out at Spi'ingfield, Illinois, in August 1861. He at once secured
employment on the Illinois Central railroad, and has continued with-
out interruption to the present time. The last eleven years he has
acted as train dispatcher; prior to that he was operator. He is a mem-
ber of Illinois Central Lodge, E"o. 178, A.F. and A.M.; Nathan Whit-
ney Chapter, Franklin Grove ; Dixon Commandery, No. 21 ; and in
politics a republican.

John Hook, farmer, Amboy, was born in Orino, seven miles above
Bangor, Maine, October 16, 1811. He was the son of Aaron and
Rhoda (Gibson) Hook, the former of whom was a native of New
Hampshire, and the latter of Vermont. John and Humphrey Hook
came from England early in the last century. The former was the
great-grandfather of our subject, and settled in Massachusetts ; the
other, it is conjectured, went to the middle states. His maternal an-
cestors emigrated from Scotland. His father and his uncle, John Hook,
were drummers in the last war with Great Britain. His grandfather,
John Hook, worked at ship-carpentry, and went upon the seas as cap-
tain of a schooner. His father was a carpenter and joiner, and he
worked with him at this trade as long as he lived in liis native state.
On July 29, 1836, he was married to Miss Matilda Berry, who was
born in Livingston, York county, Maine, June 29,1820. In 1839 they
emigrated to Illinois, driving all the way with horse teams, except be-
tween Bufi'alo and Detroit, where they w^ere transported by the steamer
Milwaukee, which came near swamping by having her side stove in
against the wharf at Ashtabula. The journey was begun August 26,
and ended when they arrived at La Moille, Bureau county, October 28.
In February, 1810, they settled at Rocky Ford, where their home has
been to the present date, though they twice moved away temporarily.

AMBOY TOWNSHIP, 407

When the removal from Maine was made, Mr. Hook's parents and his
brother William came also; his brother Aaron had performed the jour-
ney two years before and located in Bureau county. Where Mr. Hook
built his house, on the ridge, was an old Indian camping-ground, on the
trail which crossed at the Ford. The Indians came frequently and in
large numbers, but when they found the paleface had taken their camp
they occupied the knoll south of Mr. George Freeman's. After the
stage route was established by Rocky Ford the station was at Mr.
Hook's several years. The subject of this sketch began the practice of
the botanic system of medicine before he left Maine, and continued it
ten years after coming west. He lived in Peru from 1845 to 1847,
laboring in this profession with success. The family was away from
Rocky Ford from 1851 to 1853, living in Rock county, Wisconsin.
They have been identified with the church of Latter Day Saints, of
which Mrs. Hook is a member. Mr. Hook is an old-time democrat.
They have had seven children, as follows: Hester Ann, wife of Walter
Brown, of Spirit Lake, Iowa ; Abigal Frances, now Mrs. S. J. Stone ;
Sarah Elizabeth (dead), Charles Moroni, John Franklin, Hannah Jo-
sephine, and Emma Eldina.

Chauncey M. Robbins, farmer, Amboy, was born in Steuben
county. New York, November 18, 1828. He was the fifth son in a
family of eight children by Hosea and Laura P. (Merchant) Robbins.
His great-grandfather Sackett, an Englishman, settled in Madison
count}^. New York, anterior to the revolution. From George III he
received a grant of land on the Mohawk river, one mile wide by twenty
long. This was absorbed by Stephen Van Rensselaer in his immense
possessions, and has been in litigation for the last sixty years. Truman
Merchant, Mr. Robbins' maternal grandfather, served the cause of the
colonies as a soldier in the war for independence. Mr. Robbins' father
was a carpenter, and he worked with him at that trade until he became
of age. In 1846 the senior Robbins visited Lee county and purchased
the S.E. J Sec. 17, and 40 acres of timber, in Amboy township ; and in
1849 he brought his family here to make their future home. Both
parents died in this township; the father April 20, 1852, and the
mother December 26, 1859. Our subject returned east in 1850, re-
mained three years, and then came back to Illinois; the winter of
1854-5 he spent again in New York ; but the next spring found him
in this state to remain. He has been engaged most of the time since
in farming. In 1862 he bought his present farm of 80 acres, which is
worth about $4,000. He was married February 22, 1871, to Miss
Angeline Perkins, by whom he has four children : William, Katie,
Nelson (dead), and Stanley.

Jacob Luce, farmer, Amboy, was the youngest of the three sons

408 HISTOKY OF LEE COUNTY.

of Israel Luce. He was born in Florida, Montgomery county, New
York, September 18, 1805, and was reared a farmer, which occupation
he has followed all his life. His great-grandparents emigrated from
Holland, and his grandparents from New Jersey to New York. Israel
Luce was a soldier in the war of 1812 ; he was wounded, lost his health,
and died in consequence of his service in the army, and his sons were
bound out. The subject of this notice was married January 9, 1828,
to Miss Sarah Covenhoven, who was born November 12, 1805. She
was the mother of four children : James C, John H., Emma L. and
Josephine. The latter married John Y. Henry, and is now dead. In
1845 Deacon Luce settled at Crete, in Will county, Illinois, and in
1855 moved to Amboy township, and bought a farm opposite where
he now lives. He was bereft of his wife February 16, 1857, and on
January 23, 1859, he celebrated his marriage with Mrs. Celia Maria
Forbes, daughter of Jacob Gilde. Her first union was productive of
two sons, John C. and Arthur S. Their father was David C. Forbes.
The elder of these enlisted in 1861 in Co. D, 34th 111. reg. ; he served
through the entire war, fought in several hard-contested engagements,
and was finally killed at the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, as
the last echoes of the war were sounding. Arthur volunteered in
either the 51st or the 53d 111. Inf, when but sixteen years old, and
after a brief service died, as was supposed, while on his way to the
hospital at St. Louis. Deacon Luce and his first wife united with the
Baptist church in 1832, and he has held the office of deacon forty-five
years. He assisted with liberality to erect the First Baptist church of
Amboy, and he has been for many years a man of recognized infiuence,
not only in the worshiping society to which he belongs, but also in the
community at large. He was assessor in "Will county, and since he
came here was for a long time overseer of the poor. In politics he is
a republican.

Jason Chamberlain, deceased, was the youngest son of Joshua
and Nancy Chamberlain, and was born in the town of Petersham,
Worcester county, Massachusetts, September 6, 1811. When he was
eleven years old his father moved his family to Steuben county. New
York, and being wealthy, bought a tract of several hundred acres
of land. Mr. Chamberlain celebrated his first marriage with Miss
Mary Ann Goodrich, about 1836. She became the mother of six
children: George W., Cyrus (died in infancy), Sylvester, Mary O.,
Lucy G. and Harry R. (died in infancy). Her death occurred in May
1846, and Mr. Chamberlain married Sally, relict of Freeman Whited,
September 13, 1847. She was born at Penn Yan, Yates county, New
York, December 23, 1818. Her parents were David J. and Dorothea
(Morse) Bennett, and in her father's family were but three children,

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 409

two brothers and herself. By her first husband Mrs. Chamberlain had
three children : David J., Lester B. and William M. David enlisted
in the 13th 111. Yols. at the outbreak of the war and was in the service
until October 6, 1861, when he died in hospital at St. Louis. In 1856,
when seventeen years old, Lester died of fever in JSTew York. Corne-
lia A. and Elvira F. were the children of the second marriao^e. The
first is the wife of Henry Putnam, of Taylor county, Iowa, and the
second is Mrs. C. C. Morgan, of Sterling. In 1856 Mr. Chamberlain
moved to Illinois and settled in Whitesides county, where he bought a
farm of 160 acres, to which, in time, he made additions. In 1867,
owing to the death of his brother-in-law. Deacon Cyrus Bryant, who
had left an aged and lonely widow, and to his own failing health, Mr.
Chamberlain came to Amboy to reside. After his settlement here,
under the ministry of the Rev. M. T. Lamb, he was brought to a saving
knowledge of Jesus Christ, and was baptized into the fellowship of the
Amboy Baptist church. After his conversion Mr. Chamberlain lived a
prayerful life, and by his deep, earnest solicitude for the interest of the
church and the extension of Christ's kingdom, he gave precious evi-
dence of the witnessing of the spirit and of God's grace in his heart. So,
in the practice of the lowly virtues of hospitality, a genial and sunny
temper, tender sympathy and warm affection, held to the true course
by depth of principle and firmness of conviction, he grew in strength
and power, and proportion to the excellent stature of christian nobility.
When the hour of dissolution came he remarked to his pastor that "it
was all settled ; to go or to stay would be all right ; God's will be
done ; " and in great peace he fell asleep in Jesus. Death came to
him on December 21, 1880, at the age of sixty-nine, when he had
"Grown ripe in years and old in piety." Deacon Bryant, another
soldier of the cross, whose godly life and veteran service had stamped
upon his brow the seal of divine peace and usefulness, was one of the
organizers of the Amboy Baptist church, and a deacon of more than
forty years' standing. He was a very liberal supporter of the gospel at
all times. At Monteray, Schuyler county, Kew York, he nearly built
a Baptist church, and on his death he gave by will $100 to the Baptist
Publication Society of Chicago ; |100 to the Home Mission Society ;
$100 to the Foreign Missions ; and $100 to the Bible Union Society.
Mr. Bryant and Mr. Chamberlain were life members of the Bible Union.
Mrs. Bryant still lives, in her eighty-third year, in a most pitiable and
helpless physical condition by reason of fracture of the hip joint.

Curtis F. Beidgman, farmer, Amboy, was born in Bainbridge,
Alleghany county, !N"ew York, in 1836. He had the following broth-
ers and sisters : Lewis, Sally, Emily, Edgar, Otis, and Emily. The
latter died in 1868 ; Otis in 1864. The parents were Reuben and

410 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Cynthia (Dort) Bridgman. In 1840 this family settled in Amboy
township, and during the first three years of their residence lived on a
claim which is now part of the farm belonging to the Shaw heirs.
They tiien took up their home where Mr. Bridgman is living. He
has eighty acres, worth $3,500. The father died in 1866, and tlie
mother in 1871. Mr. Bridgman was married ISTovember T, 1866, to
Miss Rebecca Blocher, daughter of John M. Blocher. She was born
May 28, 1819. Their two sons John and Adna, were born respect-
ively on November 29, 1869, and January 11, 1871. Both parents
belong to the Episcopal church of Amboy. Mr. Bridgman is a repub-
lican.

Seth W. Holmes, farmer, Amboy, eldest son of James W. and
Elizabeth (Curtis) Holmes, was born in Charleston, Montgomery
county, New York, July 17, 1805. He was reared a farmer, and was
married to Miss Mary Hill January 21, 1830. In 1846 he removed to
this township and entered and settled on his present homestead, the
E. ^ of S.W. J Sec. 9. Mr. Holmes is a republican, and a member of the
Free Will church at Inlet Grove. Mrs. Holmes was a communicant
in the same denomination while in the east, and brought her letter
west, but by reason of bodily afflictions and infirmities has not united
with any society here. They have reared, seven children, as follows :
Mary Jane, wife of Cyrus Bridgman ; Dimmis H., Isaac A., James
"W., Warren H. (dead), Alimira, deceased wife of Lee Cronkrite, and
Jacob C. James volunteered September 26, 1861, in Co. I, 46th 111. reg.,*
and fought at Fort Donelson and Sliiloh ; was in the siege of Corinth,
battle of Hatchie, and siege of Vicksburg, where he was wounded in the
foot and taken prisoner May 25, 1863, and paroled June 1. He was
discharged on account of his wound December 29, 1863, at Jefterson
barracks, St. Louis. His marriage with Miss Elizabeth Banker was
on July 8, 1874. In politics he is a republican.

George D. Baird, farmer, Amboy, youngest son of James and
Louisa (Chamberlain) Baird, was born June 24, 1844. In 1858 Mr.
Baird came west with his parents and settled one mile north of
Amboy ; in 1874 he sold the little farm which he owned there and
moved to his present home, three miles north of the city, where he
has 120 acres valued at $6,000. This farm was in the track
of the great tornado of 1860. The one occupied by Mr. Baird
at that time M-as taken in an arm of the hurricane, and was on the out-
skirt even of that, but no damage of any consequence was done, and
the only evidence of force was the moving of his granary three feet.
Mr. Baird was married February 4, 1872, to Miss Jennie Smith, who
was born in England March 1, 1853, and emigrated to this country in
1856. Their little boy, Henry, was born February 12, 1881. Mr. and

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 411

Mrs. Baird are members of the Baptist church, and he is a republican.
His parents died in this township at the following dates: his father,
April 27, 1865; and his mother, March 24, 1877.

Nathaniel Bubnham, farmer, Amboj, was born in Greenfield,
New Hampshire, April 16, 1836. His parents were Nathaniel and
Mary (Wilder) Burnham. He was on his father's farm till he was
fourteen ; the next three years he worked in a cotton factory, except
an annual term of three months that he attended school. In February
1854 his father moved with his family to Lee county, and settled in
Amboy township, where he died September 19, 1871. His mother
died May 14 of the previous year. Mr. Burnham has made farming his
principal business, though at different times he has turned his atten-
tion to other affairs. He owns 310 acres of choice land three miles
north of Amboy, worth $15,500. He bought 120 acres of this from
C. C. Cochran in 1852, and the remainder since. He was married
June 6, 1872, to Miss Helen A. Deming, daughter of C. W. Deming.
Mrs. Burnham was born in Watkins, New York, in 1849. Their two
children were born as follows: Clara E., September 18, 1873, and
Alice, March 6, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Burnham are members of the
Methodist church, and he is a republican.

Othniel M. Clark, farmer and dairyman, Lee Center, eldest son
and third child of Sherman and Samantha (Bates) Clark, was born in
West Hampton, Massachusetts, February 4, 1831. His father was a
farmer, but he served from 1848 to 1850 at the drug business, and hav-
ing completed his time abandoned it, as it was not suited to his health.
In 1852 he made a voyage to California, and in 1856 returned and
bought a farm in East Hampton. On April 28, 1858, he was married
to Miss Mary Wright, daughter of Martin Wright, of West Hampton,
and who was born August 17, 1833. They have three children: Wil-
bur G., Carrie A. and Sarah S. In the autumn of 1860 Mr. Clark
came to Lee county, and taught school the following winter ; the next
spring his family arrived, and he bought a farm not far from Lee Cen-
ter, in China township. In 1872 he traded this for the one he now oc-
cupies, on the Chicago road, in this townshiyj, one mile west of Lee
Center. His homestead is one of the oldest places in the neighborhood,
contains 145 acres, was first improved by Deacon Barnes, and is valued
at $9,000. Mr. Clark is road commissioner, and treasurer of the
board, and school director in the Lee Center district, and clerk also of
that board. This is a union district lying in four townships. Its af-
fairs are not administered under the general law, but according to the
terms of a charter procured from the state years ago. In addition to
these public offices he is the executive agent for the Lee Center Butter
and Cheese Manufacturing Company, does the buying and selling, and

412 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

has charge of all the business. Perhaps the most responsible position
of all which he holds is that of president of the Lee Center Sunday-
school Association, which is composed of parts of Amboy, China,
Bradford, and the whole of Lee Center, and includes the Baptist,
Methodist, Episcopal and Congregational denominations. Mrs. Clark
has belonged to the Congregational church since she was sixteen years
old, and Mr. Clark about eight years. The latter is a Conkling repub-
lican.

Frank H. Chapin, farmer, Amboy, son of Henry Chapin, was born
in Lockport, Will county, Illinois, July 23, 1854, and grew up in Am-
boy from the time he was two years old. He obtained a fair education,
and spent two years in Illinois College, at Jacksonville, where he took
Bryant & Stratton's business course. He learned his trade and worked
in his father's carriage-shop five or six years. In 1876 he laid aside his
trade and began farming. Mr. Chapin was married Tuesday, August
5, 1879, to Miss Stella Van Riper, who was born August 13, 1857.
Dr. H. F. Walker and his wife, Athelia, were her foster-parents. Mr.
Chapin is a republican. He owns 120 acres of land three miles north-
east of Amboy, valued at |4,500. In 1860 this was occupied by a Mr.
Bixby, and was swept by the terrific hurricane of that year. The house
was destroyed, but no persons were killed.

Henry C. Shaw, deceased, was born in Victor, New York, July 7,
1820. His parents were John and Polly (Fox) Shaw. In 1841 Mr.
Shaw left his native state and came to Illinois, and established his
home at La Harpe, Hancock county, where he started a trade in gro-
ceries. In 1844 he married Miss Jane Waldron, daughter of Joseph
and Martha (Perry) Waldron, born in Albany, New York, October 31,
1822, and came to this state with her parents in 1841. In 1845 he
moved to Princeton, Bureau county, and being in poor health boarded
himself and wife there one year. In 1846 he came to Binghamton and
embarked in the manufacture of plows in company with his brother,
Zebediah Shaw, and William and John C. Church. The firm changed
once or twice, but Mr. Shaw continued a partner as long as it carried
on the business. In 1852 he bought a farm in Amboy township, and
from this date was occupied with the cares of farming until his death,
which occurred October 7, 1874. He was the father of ten children,
as follows: Olive A., born September 14, 1845, widow of Charles
Evitts; William M., September 24, 1847; WiUfred, July 14, 1849,
married Miss Martha Hammitt, and lives in Peoria ; De Forist, De-
cember 17, 1851, married Miss Marietta Wasson ; Arthur H., February
12, 1854; Chauncey P., June 21, 1856; Everesto L., May 9, 1858;
Charles D., September 9, 1861; Don Carlos, January 25, 1864; and
Madeline M., February 3, 1868. These heirs own 160 acres of choice

X-

■^s.

i"

AMBOY TOWNSHIP. 413

farming land just north of the city limits of Amboy. which has a running
stream of living water through the body, giving it one of the greatest
essentials of a stock farm.

Benjamin Treadwell, baggage-master, Illinois Central railroad,
Amboy, second son of Allen and Deborah Treadwell, was born in
Pennsylvania, July 31, 1823. His mother died when he was about
eifjlit years of age, and as soon as he was old enouo-h to work he began
to earn his own living, and thereafter made his way independently in
the world. His education comprised such acquirements as could be
obtained in the district schools during winter terras. He followed
stage-driving fifteen years, and owned a line from Belvidere, Warren
county, New Jersey, to Easton, Pennsylvania. In 1851 he sold out,
and on November 18 was married to Miss Caroline Aton, Immedi-
ately upon this event he emigrated to Polk county, Wisconsin, where
he remained only one winter, but long enough, however, to lose his
property. In the spring of 1855 he removed to Amboy and engaged
the first year in farming; the second year he was butchering; and in
185S he went on the Central railroad as baggageman, and has held that
pos tion to this date. He owns and resides upon the Andrew Painter
farm, consisting of 78 acres two and a half miles southeast of Amboy.
Mr. and Mrs. Treadwell are communicants in the Methodist church,
and he is a democrat. They have one son, Harmon, given them by his
father, and born July 31, 1866.

Washington I. Fish, plow manufacturer, Amboy, is the son of
Henry and Mary (Colony) Fish, and was born in New York in 1833.
His father was a prominent man in his own section of the state, a doc-
tor by profession, and represented his district in the general assembly,
and held various othei '" jices of honor and profit. Our subject received
a good English education. In 1851 he began learning dentistry, and
was located in its practice at Mecklenburg, Schuyler county, thirteen
years. In 1864 he moved to Illinois and settled at Binghamton, where
his brother, Erasmus D. Fish, was manufacturing plows. He went to
work at once with the latter in the shop. In November, 1865, his
brother died and left the property to him by will, and he has since kept
the factory in operation. He employs hands, makes scouring plows,
and does general repairing. Mr. Fish was married in 1858 to Miss
Cornelia A. Ink, of Enfield, New York, who was born in 1834. Three
children have blessed their union : IVJ.innie I., William G. and Ira M.
Mr. Fish is a democrat in politics.

DuER C. Badger, stock-raiser, Amboy, son of Chester and Mary A.

(Cushman) Badger, was born at Binghamton, in 1854. He received

a good English education, and graduated from the Northwestern

Business College, at Madison, Wisconsin, in 1875, after eighteen

25

414 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

months' study in that institution. He has traveled with profit within
the United States, having been in nearly every state and territory,
and made two visits to the Pacific coast. Mr. Badger celebrated his
marriage with Miss Ann L. Wooster, daughter of A. II. Wooster,
March 7, 1S78. Mrs. Badger belongs to the Baptist church, and he is
a Mason and a democrat. Their homestead, a valuable tract well im-
proved, a mile northeast of Amboy, is the N.E. ^ Sec. 14, T. 20, R.
10, and is estimated to be worth $18,000. Mr. Badger keeps about
$6,000 worth of stock.

David Pettickew, farmer, Amboy, was born in Montgomery
county, Ohio, February 22, 1820. He was the eldest son by James
and Eljzabeth (Haines) Petticrew. Both his grandfathers did veteran
service in the war of the revolution, being enrolled during the entire
period and engaged in a number of battles. In 1826 Mr. Petticrew's
father settled near where Niles, Michigan, now stands, and in 1837 re-
moved with his family to Livingston county, Missouri. At a subse-
quent period his father made another removal to the vicinity of Fort
Scott, Kansas, where he died about the beginning of the war. In 1817
the subject of this sketch returned to Michigan and resided until 1854,
when in November he came to Amboy, and bought the farm where he
now lives south of the city. 'Next spring his family came. He was
married, in 184.5, to Mi's. Margaret Miller (Roof). By her first mar-
riage she had a daughter, Matilda, now Mrs. Henry Somes, of Iowa.
By the last union there are seven children : Jasper, Sylvester, married
Miss Maggie May ; Frank, married Miss Ida Clark ; Olive, Alice, wife
of James Purseley; Emma, and Ella. Jasper volunteered for three
months at the beginning of the war, and served at Camp Douglas; he
afterward reenlisted in Co. I, 89th 111, reg., and served to the end of
the war. He was wounded in the right leg in the battle in front of
Atlanta, July 22, 1864. Sylvester enlisted in Co. G, 7th U. S. Cav,,
Col, Custer, April 8, 1874, and was in the service nearly a year in Da-
kota. Frank performed military service in the regular army about the
same length of time in 1875 and 1876. Mrs, Petticrew is a member
of the Baptist church, and Mr, Petticrew is a prominent republican.

William H, Dkessee, farmer, Amboy, oldest son of William and
Amy (Heath) Dresser, was born in Genesee county, New York, Novem-
ber 7, 1830. The father was a native of Massachusetts, and the mother
of Connecticut, and both were taken to new homes in Genesee county
when young children. Mr, Dresser has always been a tiller of the soil.
In 1852 he went to Minnesota and stayed two years. In 1854 he set-
tled in St. Croix county, Wisconsin, and lived there until 1866; at that
date he removed to Amboy, and bought his present home of eighty-
two acres from Joseph Doan, an early settler of Amboy township. He

LEE CENTER TOWNSHIP. 415

was married in 1861 to Miss Nancy Lewis, daughter of Hiel Lewis ;
she died in November 1865, and he was married a second time, to Miss
Sallie Eaton, in 1872. They have an adopted son, George, eight years
old. Mr. and Mrs, Dresser belong to the Methodist cliurch. He has
always been a voter of tlie republican ticket.

Carl Hegert, miller, Amboy, eldest son of Carl Hegert, was born
in Germany, January 10, 1835. ECe emigrated to America in 1857,
was forty-two daj^s in passage from Hamburg to New York, and
arrived at Amboy January 1, 1858. He reached this country poor,
his only capital being the miller's trade, and some knowledge of the
use of tools, acquired mainly from his father. He could not at first get
e*nployment at his trade, so he took the first job of carpentering lie
could find, and did not lay down his tools for a year and a half Then
he was engaged at farming three years, and in the meantime, March 4,
1861, was married to Miss Hannah Grothe, daughter of John H.
Grothe, of Ashton, who settled there from Pennsylvania in 1851. As
soon as Mr. Hegert had been able to earn money enough he sent for
his brothers, Louis and Theodore; and after they had been in this
country five years the three jointly sent funds to bring over the rest
of the family — the father, one brother, four sisters and their husbands.
These are still all living. Mr. Hegert worked on the Dutcher mill
while it was building, and afterward was employed as miller eight
months. On June 17, 1862, he entered the employ of the Badger
Brothers, as miller, at Binghamton, and continued with them until
the second destruction of the mill by fire July 21, 1881. He is a
republican, an Odd-Fellow, and a workman, and both he and his wife
belong to the Evangelical Lutheran church. They have six children :
Harriet Jane, born June 22, 1863 ; Sarah Ann, February 4, 1865 ;
Carl, February 28, 1867; Freddie, May 31, 1869, died February 10,
1870 ; Ida, September 4, 1871 ; Rudolph, January 15, 1874, and
Willie, November 26, 1878.

LEE CENTER TOWNSHIP.

This township is described in the original survey as T. 20 N., R.
11 E. of the 4th P.M. The topography is somewhat diversified. The
general lay of the land is rolling, there being very little flat land ex-
cept along the creek and river bottoms.

Green river rises in Inlet Swamp, in the northeastern part of the
township, and winds through it in a southwesterly direction. After
leaving the swamp it flows for some distance through an open space,
and then glides into the shady depths of a forest. For tv*'o miles it is
hidden from the distant observer among the heavy foliage of oaks,

416 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

whose giant forms have stood for centuries like silent sentinels upon its
mossy banks, and now leaping again into tlie sunshine and reflecting
from its bosom beautiful pictures of blue sky and fleecy cloud.

The township is dotted over by numerous groves and fine farm
houses. The Chicago & Rock River railroad enters at about the cen-
ter of Sec. 25, and leaves at the center of Sec. 19.

Inlet Swamp extends over an area of about four square miles, in the
northeastern part of the township. "With this exception the land is
generally good, and for agricultural purposes is inferior to none in the
county.

The first settlement in the township was made by Adolphus Bliss,
who came in 1834, and entered a claim on "VV. -J of S.W. ^ Sec. 4, an(i
N. I" of JN^.E. ^ Sec. 9. The next settler was Corrydon R. Dewey, who
came the following spring, and entered a claim on E. |- of N. W. ^ Sec.
9. A little later in the same spring came Cyrenus and Cyreno Saw-
yer, who jointly took a claim on N.E. ^ Sec. 1. In the spring of 1836
Louis Clapp settled on N.W. ^ Sec. 8.

The first school-house in the township was erected in 1838, about
eighty rods west of the present residence of Volney Bliss. Otis Tim-
othy, of Franklin Grove, was the first schoolmaster to wield the
hickory within the walls of this antiquated structure, and for his ser-
vices received the princely salary of $10 per month, and " boarded
around " among the pupils.

As the settlers became more numerous it was found that many of
them, in fact a greater part of them, were connected with a band of
desperadoes, who at that time spread terror over all of northern Illi-
nois by their deeds of thievery and murder. One of the settlers, who
resided near Inlet Grove, allowed his dwelling to be used as a place of
secretion for stolen goods, and for fugitives from justice. It was be-
lieved by the early settlers that this man's dwelling was the headquar-
ters of the gang, as tliose who passed his house after night frequentl}^
saw groups of horses hitched in a grove near the house, and inside the
cabin could be heard boisterous laughter and " sounds of revelry by
night," and ere the morning dawn the horses and riders would myste-
riously disappear. At one time, every township officer was supposed
to have been a member of the banditti; being in the majority they
could, of course, elect their own men to office. This being the case,
one can well imagine the chaotic condition of society, — each man
suspicious of his neighbor. Acts of thievery were carried on with im-
punity, and the authorities defied. If some law-abiding citizen at-
tempted to gain redress for his wrongs an anonymous letter was left at
his door threatening his life in case he persisted in his efforts. Law-
abiding citizens were entirely at the mercy of an enemy as cruel as the

LEE CENTER TOWNSHIP. 417

blood-thirsty savage who long years before, on the western frontier,
sent terror to the hearts of the pioneers. Houses were plundered,
cattle and horses stolen, and driven off, stages were robbed, and for
years robbery, rapine and red-handed murder held undisputed sway.
Finally, honest men driven to desperation at the alarming and unceas-
ing frequency of these occurrences, saw that speedy measures must be
taken to protect their homes against the midnight marauders. A vigi-
lance committee was organized, composed of resolute men in all parts
of the county. Among the residents of Lee Center township who took an
active part in the suppression of this band of outlaws were C. F, Ingalls,
E-ev. Luke Hitchcock, Dr. Adams, Moses Crombie, Sherman Shaw,
Lewis Clapp, Benjamin Whittaker ; also a Mr. Starks and sons, whose
full names we are unable to ascertain. By their shrewd manipulations
and persistent efforts this organization succeeded in either capturing
or driving from the country most of the prominent members of the
gang, so that after 1845 the citizens of Lee Center, as well as else-
where, experienced a feeling of security.

The descendants of some of these outlaws still reside in the county,
and are men of good standing in the community in which they live.
This fact renders it a delicate and unpleasant task for the writer to
give to the world even this brief sketch of the wrong-doings of their
ancestors. But there are also men residing in this vicinity who, at the
peril of their lives, aided in restoring law and order to the community,
and it is but justice to them to place their names in their county's his-
tory with the credit they justly deserve. Were it not for this fact the
writer would gladly leave this dark chapter unwritten, and consign
these unpleasant truths to the darkness of oblivion.

VILLAGE OF LEE CENTER
Was laid out in 1846; is situated in the northwestern corner qf the
township ; present population 240 ; is the polling-place of the town-
ship.

The first object liable to attract the attention of the visitor is the
old seminary. This building was erected in 1847, at a cost of $2,000.
This school was for some years the principal educational point in this
part of the state, and attracted to Lee Center many students from ad-
joining counties who wished to avail themselves of the excellent edu-
cational advantages the school then afforded. The branches taught
were the same as are taught in our preparatory academies of the pres-
ent day. A. J. Streetor, who has since that time attained a consider-
able prominence as a politician, and who was the greenback candidate
for governor in the campaign of 1880, was at one time a student in this
seminary. The school first opened in 1847. The first principal was

418 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY,

Hiram McChesney, a graduate of Rensselaer Institute, of Troy, New
York. The average attendance at that time is estimated at 150 pupils,
a large percentage of whom were from al>road. Mr. McChesney served
one year and was then succeeded by H. E. Leonard, of Napierville,
Illinois. Mr. Leonard after having taught two j'ears was succeeded by
the Rev. James Brewer, a native of Massachusetts and a graduate of
the Jamestown college in that state. Mr. Brewer presided over the
school for one year. Mr. Simeon Wright, formerly of Battle Creek,
Michigan, comes next on the list of instructors. Mr. Wright took an
active interest in the welfare of the school, and during the three years
that he was principal the seminary passed through an era of prosperity
never exceeded before or since. The attendance was very large and
the school was in a flourishing condition. Mr. Wright was succeeded
by Prof. Nash, a native of Massachusetts, who conducted the school
until 1859, in which year he died. In the meantime other institutions
of a similar character had sprung up in different points that were ac-
cessible by railroads: at Amboy a high-school building was erected in
1857; academies had also been established in Dixon and Paw Paw ;
so that in 1859, the attendance being very small, an act was passed au-
thorizing its incorporation as a graded district school.

CHURCHES.

There are three churches in the village:

The Methodist Ejnscopal congregation was first organized in 1837,
at the residence of Corrj-don R. Dewey, at Inlet Grove. Their first
church building was erected in 1842, in which services were held nntil
1858, when a larger and more commodious one was erected, which
building they still occupy. The congregation now numbers thirty-four
members. Trustees are John Lane, B. F. Lane and S. Trowbridge.
The present stewards are S. Trowbridge, John Lane, J. li. B. Thorn-
ton, S. Thayer and Mrs. M. A. Fox. Present pastor, J. G. B. Shad-
ford.

The Congregational Church. — This society was organized in 1843
at the residence of Moses Crombie, near Binghamton, in Amboy town-
ship ; the congregation then consisted of eleven members. First pastor
was Rev. Joseph Gardner. The building now occupied by them was
erected in 1856, at a cost of $1,500. The congregation now numbers
fifty members, and is in a flourishing condition. Present pastor is the
Rev. F. C. Cochran.

The Episcopal Church. — Congregation organized in 1855, and the
church building erected in 1857, costing $2,500. The windows of the
church were presented to the congregation by Bishop Whitehouse.
The present rector is Rev. N. W. Herrmans, who has presided since 1879.

LEE CENTER TOWNSHIP. 419

The only secret organization now in existence in Lee Center is the
Masonic Lodge, No. 146. This lodge was organized on July 28, 1854 ;
charter granted on October 2 of the same year. The first officers
were A. P. Stinson, worshipful master; John Gilmore, senior warden ;
Daniel Frost, junior warden ; Simeon Wright, secretary ; Lot Chad-
wick, treasurer. This was the second Masonic lodge oi-ganized in the
county; and from the time of its organization to the present date 142
members have reached the degree of master mason. James A. Haw-
ley, who was for two years grand master of the Grand Lodge, was here
initiated into the mysteries of Masonr3\ The present membership
of the organization is thirtj^-one members. Present officers are Wm.
S. Frost, worshipful master; Wallace Hicks, senior warden; W. W.
Depew, junior warden ; B. F. Lane, secretary ; Willard Salsbury,
treasurer.

Shaw station, situated on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rail-
road, near the center of the township, promises to be one of the
prominent trading points of this part of the county. Mr. F. D. Clapp,
an enterprising young merchant, is here engaged in the dry-goods and
grocery business and also owns a half interest in a large and commodious
elevator on the north, side of the railroad track. Surrounded by an
excellent farming country, this station promises to become one of the
thriving villages of Lee county. Prominent aniong the celebrities of
which this village can boast is Mrs. Eva Katharine Mink, a young
authoress of growing popularity, who has recently embarked upon the
sea of literature, and whose productions have created quite a sensation
in the literary world.

ROBBERIES.

Among the many daring robberies perpetrated b}' the banditti in
different parts of the country is the case of Mr, Haskell at Inlet Grove.
On a stormy night in June, 1844, Mr. Haskell's residence was entered
by masked men, one of whom afterward proved to have been the
notorious Fox. Creeping silently into the bed-room occupied by Mr.
Haskell and wife they succeeded in dragging a trunk containing money
from under the bed. The noise caused by sliding of the trunk on the
floor was drowned by the rumbling thunder, and so cunningly was the
deed planned and executed that the sleepers were none the wiser until
the next morning.

• CASUALTIES.

On tlie evening of June 3, 1860, a terrible tornado passed through
the northern portion of the township, spreading death and desolation
in its path. Isaac Gage, now a resident of Lee Center village, lost two
sons in this terrible storm. Tiie loss of life and property was not so

420 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

great in this as in other portions of the county, however, bnt persons
who were in or near its path will remember it to their latest day.

WAR RECORD.

In the spring of 1861, w4ien the news came over the wires that
Fort Sumter had fallen and the banner of the stars iiad been trampled
under rebel feet, the citizens of Lee Center were among the first to
send up the shout " down with the rebellion," her hills and forests
echoed to the stirring strains of the " red, white and blue" and "star
spangled bauner;" and when the long roll sounded scores of her
patriotic sons stepped to the front and helped to swell the vast throng
of troops hurrj'ing forward in response to their country's call ; many
of them took their places by the side of the flag-staff and followed it
to the sea. In the great battles of Stone river, Pittsbui-g landing,
Lookout mountain, and Chickamauga, her sons bore a noble part, and
many of them fell, mangled and bleeding, under the shadow of the
banner they had so bravely defended. Lee Center township furnished
troops for the 13th, 75th and 34th 111. Inf., and for the 7th 111. Cav.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Charles F. Ingalls, farmer, Sublette, Lee county, Illinois, born
in Windham county, Connecticut, in 1817. At the age of twelve went
to Windsor county, Vermont, attending school for some time and
afterward teaching. In the summer of 1884 came to Morgan county,
Illinois, where he also taught school two years. In 1836 he in com-
pany with his brother George A. Ingalls removed to Lee county and
entered claims in the southern part of Lee Center township. Mr.
Ingalls was married September 6, 1838, to Miss Sarah Hawkins. At
that time an Indian village stood on a part of his farm, the inhabitants
of this village were Pottawatomies. Mr. Ingalls frequently found
buffalo horns and carcasses in the vicinity of his farm, which, from
their fresh appearance, convinced him that among the former inhab-
itants of the country the king of the prairie had been a conspicuous
member. Mr. Ingalls is father of five children : Charles H., Ephriam
F., Sarah D., Ara M. and Mary S. With the exception of the latter
named daughter they are all grown and married. He has been a
member of the Baptist church since 1841. In 1850 he had an attack
of the gold fever and consequentlj^ took a berth in a wagon-train bound
for California, and was there four years, during which time he was
engaged in mining and stock raising. He returned in 1854 by way of
New York city. Mr. Ingalls was left an orphan at an early age, and
was cast adrift to fight life's battles single-handed and alone. By in-
dustry and enterprise he has acquired a respectable portion of the

LEE CENTER TOWNSHIP. 421

world's goods. He has a beaiitifnl residence, .surrounded by all the
luxuries necessary to make a bright and happy home. His parlor-
walls are adorned by beautiful oil paintings, the handiwork of his
accomplished daughters. And here in this sequestered spot, surrounded
by the fruits of his toil, under the shadow of the tall oaks who have
been his silent companions in his adversities and triumphs, he will
spend his remaining years. Mr. Ingalls furnishes an instance of how, in
this great broad land of ours, an orphan boy with nothing to rely upon
but a strong will and an energetic brain may, by industry, economy
and honesty acquire both wealth and honor.

Lewis B. Rex, teacher, Lee Center, born in Summit county, Ohio,
in 1831, received his early education in that county, and attended one
term at the Mount Vernon Seminary, after which he was three years
a student in the Otterbise University, at Westerville, Ohio. He after-
ward taught school in different parts of the state until 1859. In that
year he came west to Mendota, Illinois, and taught one year in that
place ; afterward taught one term in Sublette. Devoted his time
entirely to teaching until 1862, when he enlisted in the 75th 111. Inf.,
and served three years in the army. Was married in 1866, to Miss
Electa Jane Minnerly, a native of Ohio, and is father of two children.

Edwin Morey, farmer, Shaw Station, born in Cortland county,
New York, in 1820, came with his father in 1836, to Calhoun county,
Michigan, where he resided nine years. In 1845 he removed to Cook
county, Illinois. Worked three years on a canal in that county. At
the end of that time he came to Lee county, and located in Lee
Center township. Mr. Morey brought the second grain separator ever
used in the county. Was married in April 1849, to Miss Harriet
Mayo, a native of !N"ew York state. Is a member of the Masonic
Lodge, No. 146, at Lee Center.

John Deek, farmer, West Brooklyn, born in Columbia county,
Pennsylvania, in 1820. In 1863 removed to Lee county, where by
industry and careful calculation he has become possessor of a large tract
of excellent land. Mr. Derr is a member of the Reformed church,
with which he united in 1840. Was married in 1849, to Miss Re-
becca Gersinger; is father of ten children, nine of whom are living.

Moses Ckombie, grain dealer, Lee Center, was born in Chesliire
county. New Hampshire, in 1804. He was married in 1828, to Miss
Louisa Morse, a native of the same state. In the same year he
removed to Rochester, New York, where he resided nine years. In
1837 he removed to Lee county, residing near Rock river, opposite
Grand Detour, where he resided three years. During that time he
was engaged in millwrighting and other work of a like nature. He
done the wood-work on the first plows made in Lee county. He re-

422 HISTORY OF LEE COUJNTTY.

moved to the village of Lee Center in 1840. In 1841 he took the
contract for building the seminary at that place. Was on the grand
jury in the first court held in Lee county. Is now dealing in grain
at Shaw Station, in Lee Center township.

Thomas Nicholson, farmer, Lee Center, was horn in England in
1826; resided there until twenty-three years of age. Came to Lee
county in 1848. Bought land in China township, where he resided
four years. In 1852 went to California, and was there engaged in the
mining business for three years. In 1855 sailed to Australia, where
he also spent three years in tlie mining district near Yictoria. From
tiiere lie sailed to England and spent several months in the home of
his boyhood ; while there he was married to Miss Ann Burrows. He
then returned to Lee county. Located in Lee Center township in
1859. Is a member of the Episcopal church, and is also a Freemason.

Okrin M. Lev/is, farmer, Amboy. Mr. Lewis' father, Iliel Lewis,
settled in Lee county in 1842. Orrin M. was born in China township
in 1847 ; received most of his early education in a district school in that
township. Removed with his father to St. Croix county, Wisconsin,
in the spring of 1855, where he resided until 1860, when they returned
to Lee county, and resided in Amboy one year; then bought land
about three miles northeast of Amboy, where he now resides. Mr.
Lewis united with the United Brethren church at the age of twenty-
live. Was married in 1871, to Miss Luella Matteson, a native of
Wisconsin, who died in March 1881.

Sabin Trowbridge, merchant, Lee Center, was born in Broome
county, JSTew York. He received his early education in the town of
Windsor. In 1821 came to Illinois. Located in Lee Center in 1858,
where until the year 1868 he earned a livelihood by tilling the soil.
In that year he embarked in the dry -goods and grocery business. Was
made postmaster under Grant's administration ; is doing a thriving
business and is a very popular merchant.

Lewis Complon, stone dealer, Lee Center, was born in the southern
part of France in 1823; married to Miss Julia Henry in 1860; came
to Lee Center in 1861. Has four children: the elder, Eniil Alfonso,
born 1861 ; Alfred, born 1863 ; Theodule, born 1866; and Leona Alice,
born 1876.

Christopher Wellman, farmer, Lee Center, was born in New Mil-
ford, Susquehanna count}-, Pennsylvania, in 1821 ; here he received his
early education ; married in 1850 to Miss Amanda E. Brown, also a
native of Pennsylvania; came to Lee county in 1851; resided in the
village of Lee Center seven years ; in 1858 removed to Knox's grove,
in Sublette township, where he resided five years ; then bought land
in W. -S- of Sec. 7 in Lee Center township, where he has since resided.

LEE CENTER TOWNSHIP. 423

Is the father of four children : Annie D., the elder child, now the wife
of James Johnston, and resides in Brooklin township, born in Decem-
ber 1851 ; Levi William, born in 1853, died in 1877; Mary Ann, born
April 1856; Henry H., born in 1859.

L. Cyeenus Sawyer, farmer, Lee Center, Illinois, was born in
Clarke county, Ohio, in 1818; came west in 1835; entered a claim in
N.E. J of Sec. 1 in Lee Center township; married in 1842. His father,
Joseph Sawyer, was the first postmaster in Lee Center township, ap-
pointed during the administration of James K. Polk. Mr. Sawyer has
three children. Was a democrat up to the time of the formation of the
republican party ; since that time has been a staunch republican ; owns
240 acres of good farm land, and is surrounded by all the modern im-
provements and conveniences of the model Illinois farmer.

WiLLARD Salsbury, Carpenter, Lee Center, was born in 1820, in
Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania; resided where he received his
early education ; came west in 1847 and bought land near Temperance
Hill, in China township, where he resided two years; then removed to
Lee Center. Mr. Salsbury was married in 1849, to Lydia Jane Frost, a
resident of Lee Center. Is father of three children : Florence, born in
1850, died in 1854; Frederic Augustus, born in 1853; and Willard
Aurthur, born 1859. Mr. Salsbury is a prominent member of the Epis-
copal church. Math which he united at an early age.

VoLNEY Bliss, farmer and stock raiser, Lee Center, was born in
Milan, Huron county, Ohio, in 1827; in 1829 removed with his father,
Adolphus Bliss, to Michigan. The family remained in that state until
1834; in that year they removed to what is now Lee county, then a
part of Jo Daviess. His father entered a claim on W. ^ of S.W. ^ Sec.
4, and N. ^ of N.E. ^ Sec. 9. Yolney received his early education in a
log school-house that stood eighty rods west of his present residence.
When at home his only playmates were Indian boys who lived in a
village that stood near his father's dwelling. Mr. Bliss was married
in 1853, to Miss Paulina Tredwell. Deals largely in stock, and by in-
dustr}' and economy has become owner of a half-section of excellent
land. His residence is beautifully situated in the center of a beautiful
and spacious lawn, and possesses all the beauties and attractions of a
model country residence. Mr. Bliss was a lieutenant in Co. D, 15th
111. Inf.

Ebenezer Woodbrige, farmer, Lee Center, was born in Wayne
county, Pennsylvania, in 1814; removed from there to Tioga county,
New York, where he received his early education ; resided there
eighteen years, then removed to Jay county, Indiana, in 1838; was
married in 1840, to Eliza Ripley, a native of New York state ; remained
in Indiana until 1855 ; in that year he removed to Illinois; desiring to

424 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

locate in a place possessing good educational advantages lie selected
Lee Center ; bonglit N.E. -j of Sec. 1, where he erected a residence and
has since resided. Mr. Woodbrige is a prominent member of the
Methodist Episcopal chnrch, with which he united in 1840. Has four
children, the elder being Sarah B., now the wife of B. I. Hitchcock,
of Chicago, born in 1841 ; Joseph Egbert, born Jnlj 1844; Ann Eliza,
born Marcli 1848 ; and John Ripley, born 1851.

John Wedlock, farmer, West Brooklyn, was born in Cornwall,
England, in 1825. At twenty-three years of age he came to Lee county,
and bought land in China township near Temperance Hill, where he
resided eight years. He then removed to Lee Center township, where
he has since resided. Was married in 1858, to Miss Marj' Jane Phillips,
a native of New York, who died in 1876 ; was again married in 1880,
to Mrs. A. L. Miller. In politics he is a republican.

Warren D. Clink, farmer, West Brooklyn, was born in Susque-
hanna county, Pennsylvania, in 1835; came with his father in 1841 to
Bradford township, their postoffice being at Bliss's Grove, now known
as Inlet Grove, in Lee Center township; was married in 1862, to Miss
Amelia Perkins. Mr. Clink has been a successful farmer and stock
raiser, and has accumulated considerable property. Was a witness to
the great storm that passed through the county in 1860, and after the
storm had passed he assisted in giving relief to many of the sufferers.

James W. Winbolt, farmer. West Brooklyn, was born in Port
Hound, Canada east, in 1835 ; removed with his father in that year to
Cuyahoga county, Ohio; received his early education in Cleveland. In
1850 he again removed with his father to Chicago, Illinois, and was
there for seven years, engaged in the upholstering business on Ran-
dolph street ; was married in 1864, to Miss Sarah A. Hart ; united with
the Methodist Episcopal church in 1877; has been a staunch repub-
lican since the organization of the party.

Ephraim Whitney, farmer, Amboy, was born in Somerset county,
Maine, in 1801 ; removed to West Virginia in 1816 ; resided for a num-
ber of years in that state and then removed to Ohio ; in 1845 he moved
from that state to Lee county ; was married in that 3'ear to Miss Mary
. Livingstone, a native of Ohio. Mr. Whitney is now eighty years of
age, and in so feeble a state as to render his memory very poor ; conse-
quently the information the writer receives from him in regard to his
past life was very meager.

Joseph A. Hodges, farmer, Sublette, was born in Lawrence county,

Indiana, in 1825, where he remained until twenty years of age.

Came to Lee county in 1845, and settled in Sublette township, where

he resided until 1850. In that year he bought land in the southern

* part of Lee Center township, where he located and still resides. Mr.

LEE CENTER TOWNSHIP. 425

Hodges was married in 1850, to Miss Olive Tourtillott. Is a promi-
nent member of the Baptist church, with which he united in 1876; is
also a Freemason. Mr. Hodges is quite an extensive farmer and
stock raiser, and owns one of the model farms of the county.

Sherman Shaw, stock raiser, Lee Center, was born in Ontario
county, New York, in 1811 ; received his early education in Erie county
in the same state. In 1837 Mr. Shaw packed his earthly possessions
into a wagon and started toward the setting sun. He drove from JSTew
York to Lee county in this rude conveyance, bringing two hogs, which
followed after the wagon the entire distance. Mr. Shaw is a member
of the Baptist church, with which he united in 1841. Was married
in 1835, to Miss Malinda Dewolf. Is father of seven children, three of
whom are living. Owns quite a large amount of land in different parts
of the township. He is one of the landmarks of Lee county, and one
of its most respected citizens. He came to the county when the great
State of Illinois was almost a wilderness, and has lived to see towns, vil-
lages, churches, school-houses and beautiful dwellings rise, as if by
magic, where but a few years ago nothing greeted the eye of the
observer but a vast expanse of prairie, over which bounded the wild
deer and the prairie wolf.

John W. D. Blake, merchant, Lee Center, born on Staten Island
in 1833, resided there until eighteen years of age, then removed to
N^ew York city, where he was for two years employed in a wholesale
dry-goods house. Came to Logan county, Illinois, in 1853; remained
there until June 1854, at which time he removed to Lee Center and
embarked in the dry-goods and grocery business. Remained in Lee
Center until 1857 ; in that year he removed to Niles, Michigan, re-
maining until 1877; then removed to Kansas and bought land, and
was there engaged in farming until 1879. In that year he returned
to Lee Center, where he has since been engaged in the dry-goods and
grocery business.

De. Clark E. Loomis, Lee Center, was born in November 1839,
at Pulaski, Oswego county, New York ; and in 1845 he removed to
Auburn, Cayuga county, where he lived until 1856. He came west
and stopped at Chicago one year, and in October, 1857, settled at
Franklin Grove in this county. The next spring he began the study
of medicine with Dr. G. W. Hewitt ; and on the 15th of February,
1862, graduated from Rush Medical College at Chicago. He located
at once in Grand Detour, Ogle county, to practice his profession. At
this place, on the 15th of July 1863, he married the only daughter of
John Parkhurst, by whom he has become the father of four children,
all daughters, the 3'oungest of whom died in 1879. From Gi'and
Detour Dr. Loomis went to the army in 1864, and served until the

426 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

close of the war as first assistant surgeon of the 115th reg. IH. Yols.
Shortl}^ after his return home he settled with his family in Lee Center,
where he has since had his residence. On Febrnary 1, 1881, he pur-
chased from E, W. Faxon & Co. the " Amboy Journal " newspaper
and job office, and lias done the editorial work of the paper in connec-
tion with his practice at Lee Center.

BKOOKLYN TOWNSHIP.

Brooklyn township is described in the original survey as T. 31,
R. 1 E., 3d P.M., bounded on the east by Wyoming, on the north by
Viola, oil the west by Lee Center and Sublette townships, and on the
south by La Salle county. The present population of this township is
largely German.

Standing on an eminence in the southeastern part of the township,
and looking north and west, a scene of remarkable rural beauty meets
the eye of the observer. Stretching away as far as the eye can reach
is a vast expanse of gently rolling land, dotted here and there by
handsome dwellings, waving orchards and fields of grain. Had you
stood there fifty years ago, dear reader, a different scene would have
met your view. Half a century ago the red man chased the deer and
buffalo where now villages and churches rise as a mausoleum over the
graves of his forgotten dead. Fifty years ago 'the long howl of the
wolf and the scream of the panther echoed among the hills that now
resound with the click of the I'eaper, the shriek of the locomotive, and
the chiming of church bells. Civilization in its onward march has
blotted out all traces of the red man's abode. His villages have disap-
peared, his light canoe is seen no more darting down the crystal streams
of Illinois, and he has been driven onward toward the setting sun.
His name is heard no more, unless perhaps to a village or wood-girt
stream he has left as a legacy an Indian name.

The earliest settler in Brooklyn township was Zacariah Mallugin,
who came in the spring of 1834 and located on what is now the N.E.
i of Sec. 4. Mr. Mallugin built a hotel on the old Chicago stage
road, and was one of the first landlords in Lee county. In the spring
of 1836 John Gilmore came and located on the JST.E. J of Sec. 3. In
1836 William Guthrie came and located near Mallugin's Grove.

The first school-house in the township was erected in 1838 on the
farm of A. V. Christiance, about a mile northeast of his present resi-
dence. The first teacher who presided was Zacariah Mallugin. The
first white child born in the township was Cornelius, son of A. Y.
Christiance, in 1835. The first justice of the peace was John K. Rob-
inson, now residing in Mcndota ; first constable, A. Y. Christiance.

BROOKLYN TOWNSHIP. 427

VILLAGES.

West Brooklyn, situated on the Chicago, Bnrlington & Qnincy
railroad in the western part of the township, was laid out in 1873 on
land owned by Messrs. O. P. Johnston, D. L. Harris and E.. N. Woods.
The school-house at that place was erected in 1874, at a cost of $1,200.
First teacher, F. M. Yocum. For the past two years the school has
been under the supervision of Prof. M. M. Young, a teacher of marked
ability, under whose care the school is in a prosperous condition.

There are two churches in West Brooklyn, a Roman Catholic and
one Methodist Episcopal church. The latter named society was organ-
ized in 1878, and the building occupied by them was erected in the
same year. The first pastor was the Rev. C. H. Hoffman ; present
one is the Rev. B. H. Dickens, a young gentleman who is just begin-
ning his labors in the field of Christianity, and for whom we predict a
life of usefulness. Membership of this organization, forty-nine.

Compton was laid out in 1873 upon land owned by Joel Compton,
from whom the village derived its name. It is situated on the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy railroad in the eastern part of the township.
Compton has one church, the Methodist Episcopal, which society was
organized in 1837 at the residence of Zadhariah Mallugin. Their first
pastor was the Rev. Stephen R. Beggs. Until about the year 1850
they held services in a school-house at Mallugin's Grove. The build-
ing now occupied by the society was erected in 18G0 in that village and
was removed from there to Compton. The membership of this organ-
ization is forty ; present pastor, B. H. Dickens.

Masonic Lodge, No. 282, was organized at the residence of O. P.
Johnston in 1858. The first officers were : Master, John C. Corbus ;
Senior Warden, John Gilmore ; Junior Warden, S. H. Finley ; Senior
Deacon, Jonathan Hyde ; Junior Deacon, O. P. Johnston ; Secretary,
J. R. Bisbee ; Treasurer, Wm. Guthrie ; Tyler, Robert Ritchie. The
present oflicers are: Worshipful Master, Theodore Doty; Senior
Warden, W. W. Gilmore ; Junior Warden, David Holdren ; Senior
Deacon, W. C. Holdren ; Junior Deacon, S. W. Carnaham ; Secretary,
A Bradshaw ; Tyler, Edwin Ellsworth ; Senior Steward, Abram Ben-
nett; Junior Steward, Andrew Compton.

Carnahan station is situated on an eminence about equidistant
between West Brooklyn and Compton ; is the result of the labors of
A. J. Carnahan. The expense of the side-track, station-house, and other
improvements, were all borne by him. And whatever of convenience
the neighbors in the community may enjoy in the future must be
credited to his determination. When the project of the Canada
Southern railroad was started he entered into it with enthusiasm and
received assurances of having a station located on his farm. To get

428 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

possession of certain lands, it is said, the company located the station
at Compton. But Mr. Carnahan, nothing daunted by this defeat, laid
his claim before the Chicago, Burlington & Qnincy Railroad Company
wlien they became owners of the road. After some effort on liis part
a station was granted him, which was to be made at his own expense.

In Jul}^, 1874, a man named Layden, etnployed as agent for Payne,
of Ashton, collected all the money he could belonging to the latter
named gentleman, which together with notes he had taken in his own
name amounted to about $7,000. With this amount of lucre in his
possession he absconded.

In February, 1874, Leroy Blanchard, while a guest at the residence
of Mr. Van Cisco at Mallugin's Grove, arose very early one morning
and departed, taking with him fifty-five dollars belonging to Mr. Cisco,
who on missing, the money brought the telegraph into requisition and
the thief was captured at Shabbona and brought to Dixon, where he
was placed in custody,

WAR RECORD.
In sending troops to aid in the suppression of the rebellion,
Brooklyn was not behind her sister townships. She was prompt in
responding to her country's call. Scarcely had the echoes of the first
rebellious cannon-shot died away, when her patriotic people, filled
with indignation at this insult to their country's flag, joined in the
universal cry, " the Union forever." In 1861, when the great yawning
chasm opened between the north and south, upon one side of which
was heard the rumbling of cannon and the mighty tread of armies
marching under the old banner of the stars, keeping step to the strains
of "Yankee Doodle" and "Hail Columbia," and upon the other
mighty hosts were advancing to the conflict under the flag of secession
— in this, the darkest hour in our nation's history, the citizens of
Brooklyn township did their part toward administering a terrible
rebuke to southern arrogance and treason. Her sons took part in most
of the great struggles of the war, and some of them still lie by the
shores of the Atlantic, whose waves sing a wild requiem by their lonely
graves.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

James P. Johnston, West Brooklyn, born in Brooklyn township,
Lee county, in 1851, is a son of O. P. Johnston, jr., who was one of
the pioneer settlers in the township. Received most of his early edu-
cation in Lee county. In 1867 he attended two terms at Douglas
University, in Chicago. In 1868 he embarked in the drug business, on
the corner of State and Twenty-second streets, in that city. In 1869
he returned again to Lee county, where he has since been engaged in

BROOKLYN TOWNSHIP, 431

farming and stock raising. He was married in 1873, to Miss Annie D.
Wellman, a native of Pennsylvania.

Daniel Miller, Mcndota, was born in Somerset connty, Pennsyl-
vania, in 1822, where he resided nntil fourteen years of age. In 1836
he went to Wayne connty, Ohio, were he resided four years, alter
which he returned to Pennsylvania and remained until 1844, again re-
turned to Wayne county, Ohio, and after living there eleven years
came to Lee county and bought land in the N.E, ^ Sec. 33, Brooklyn
township. In 1873 was elected supervisor of Brooklyn township,
which office he has held since that time. He was married in 1843, to
Miss Elizabeth Lewis, a native of Pennsylvania, and who died in 1848.
He was again married in 1869, to Miss Leah Gittinger, also a native of
Pennsylvania. He is father of twelve children, ten of whom are living.

Halsey H. Miller, Compton, was born in Fredericktown, Knox
county, Ohio, May 8, 1847. In 1851 he moved from there with his
father, Harmon P.. Miller. He received his early education at Mount
Gilead, Ohio. In 1856 he came with his father's family to La Salle
county. In 1861 he went to Linden, where he attended school until
1863. In April of that year he enlisted in Co. K, 38th 111. Yols.,
which regiment was stationed on the frontiers of Kansas and Missouri.
He was discharged in October 1864, when he returned home and
worked on his father's farm until 1868. In that year he began to work
forthe Fox River Horse Collar Company, with whom he was engaged
until 1870. In June, 1871, he entered the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy office at Dayton, as student operator, and in the latter part
of the same year took charge of the office at Yorkville, Illinois, as
operator and ticket agent. He remained there six weeks, after which
he took charge of the depot at Fox station. He remained in this place
until 1872, when he came to Compton, where he for a time constituted
the entire population. Mr. Miller was theiirst police magistrate in the
village, which office he still holds, and is also local editor of the
"Compton Record," He was married in 1870, to Rliody I. Dominy,
a native of La Salle county.

Samuel P. Fairchilds, was born in Queensbury, Warren county,
New York, in 1801. In 1836 he moved to Canada, where he
was for eighteen years engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1854
he came to Lee county and bought land in JST.W. ^ Sec. 5, where he
has since resided. Mr. Fairchild was married in 1825, to Miss Wilmot
Ogdeu, a native of New York state. He is father of ten children, six
of whom are living. Four of his sons enlisted in the Union army
during the rebellion. Samuel enlisted in May 1861, in Co. C, 13th
111, Inf. ; David O. enlisted in the 13th 111. Inf., Co. C ; Ogden enlisted
in the 13th 111. ; Lewis enlisted in August 1862, in Co. K, 76th 111. Inf
26

432 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

A. Y. Chkistiance, Compton, was born in Schenectady county, New-
York, in 1808. In 1817 he moved with liis father, Evart Christiance,
to the city of Schenectady. Mr. Christiance received most of his early
education in this citj^ and at an early age was apprenticed to a wagon-
maker, and served six and a half years' apprenticeship. He resided in
Schenectady until 1829. In that year he came west to visit his brother.
He retnrned in the same year and bought out the business of his former
employer, which he carried on about three years. By this time his
health, which had been very poor, began to grow w^orse, and his phy-
sician advised him to come west, and he accordingly moved to Lee
county in 1835, and bought land in N.E. ^ and part of the N.W. ^
Sec. 3 in Brooklyn township. At that time the surrounding forests
abounded in game of all kinds, and there were but two other settlers
in the township. Roving bands of Indians frequently passed his cabin,
and he became quite familiar with the old Indian chief Shabbona, who
was an occasional visitor at his home. He frequently had as guests
the notorious Fox and Birch, and also the Mormon prophet, Jo Smith.
Mr. Christiance is father of sixteen children, five of whom are living.
Four of his sons responded to their country's call and engaged in the
great struggle against disunion and slavery. James enlisted in the
13th 111. Inf., and George W., William and Cornelius enlisted in
Cheney's battery. The latter-named son was the first white child born
in Brooklyn township. Mr. Christiance is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, with which he united in 1870; is also a member of
Masonic Lodge No. 282, at Compton. He is one of the landmarks, in
Brooklyn township, and has been closely identified with its history
from its organization to tlie present day.

Alexander Gilmore, Compton, was born in the city of New York,
in 1826. His father, John Gilmore, removed to Michigan in 1830 ;
resided in that state until June 1835, when he removed to Lee county
and bought a claim from Zachariah Mallugin in N.W. ^ Sec. 2. Alex-
ander received most of his education in an old log school-house that
stood a short distance north of the cemetery at Mallugin's Grove. Mr.
Gilmore was married in 1855, to Miss Mary L. Frost, a native of
Maine. His first wife died in 1865, and his next choice was Miss
Eliza Fisk. He is father of ten children, eight of wliom are living ;
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united
in 1845. Mr. Gilmore is one of the oldest settlers in Lee county and
is also one of her most respected citizens.

Oliver P. Johnston, West Brooklyn, was born in Erie county,
New York, in 1812. In 1821 he removed with his father, Oliver
Johnston, to Sangamon county, Illinois, six miles from Springfield,
which at that tiiue consisted of two stores and three dwellings. They

BROOKLYN TOWNSHIP. 433

remained there four years, and then removed to Logan county, where
they resided eight years. At the end of that time Oliver P. removed
to La Salle county and remained one year and then went to De Kalb
county. In 1838 he came to Lee county and took a claim in S.E. ^ of
N.E. ^ Sec. 5, in Brooklyn township. He helped erect the first dwell-
ing built in Wyoming township. Mr. Johnston was quite well
acquainted with the Indian chief Shabbona, whose name is familiar to
the early settlers of northern Illinois. He was at different times
strongly urged to join the banditti who infested the country in early
days, but on each occasion respectfully declined. He kept a hotel in
Mallugin's Grove for twenty years, and during that time had many
unpleasant experiences incident to hotel-keeping in early days. Mr.
Johnston was married in 1834, to Miss Elizabeth Ross, a native of Vir-
ginia, and is father of six children. He has been one of the most
successful farmers in Lee county and is now the possessor of over two
thousand acres of land, the fruits of many years of economy, hardship
and toil.

Benjamin F. Holdren, wagon-maker, Compton, was born in
Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1823. He resided in that state un-
til he was nineteen years of age. In the fall of 1841 he came to Mil-
waukee, "Wisconsin ; at that time the population of that city numbered
about 500 souls. He remained there until the following spring, when
he together with two companions walked to Chicago, a distance of
ninety miles. While in Chicago he worked in the first sash and blind
factory erected in the city, which stood on South Water street. In
1850 he began working at carpentering in the capacity of contractor,
and continued until 1862, when he enlisted in the 89tli 111. Inf , which
regiment took part in the great battles of Stone River, Mission Ridge, and
others equally severe, and returned to the north crowned with the lau-
rels of a grateful nation. Mr. Holdren was discharged in April 1864,
and returned to Mallugin's Grove and began working at wagon-making,
which business he has since followed. He was married in 1848, to
Miss Zurich Cowen, a native of New Hampshire.

John F. Clapp, West Brooklyn, was born in Hampshire county,
Massachusetts, in 1835. He resided there until he was nineteen years
of age. In 1854 he came to Bureau county, Illinois, and engaged in
the grain business with his uncle, Caleb Cook. In 1857 he came to
Lee county, and bought land in Amboy township. In 1859 he sold his
property in Lee county and returned to Bureau county, where he re-
mained two years. At the end of that time he bought land in the
S.W. ^ Sec. 16, in Brooklyn township, and since that time has been one of
the most successful farmers and stock raisers of Lee county. Mr. Clapp
was married in 1857, to Miss Sarah S. Smith, a native of New York

434 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

state. He is the father of six children, four of whom are living. He
is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which
he united in 1867. In politics he is a republican.

JouN W. DoRN, blacksmith, Compton, was born June 14, 1816, in
Morris county, New Jersey, where he resided until he was twelve years
of age, when he went to Cheuning county, New York, where he remained
with his father until he was twent^^-one years of age. At the age of
fifteen Mr. Dorn commenced working at the blacksmith trade. In
September, 1837, he came to Illinois and located near Marseilles, La
Salle county, where he farmed for two years. At the end of that time
he built a shop three miles north of La Salle, and worked at his trade
there until 1857. In that year he came to Willow Creek township,
and resided there until 1862, when he located in Mallugin's Grove,
where he has since resided. He was first married in 1836, to Miss
Elizabeth Reeser, who died in 1838. He married again in the fall of
the same year, to Miss Lovisa Rood. His second wife died in 1850.
He was again married in September 1850, to Elvira Parker, a native
■of Indiana. He is the father of five-children, three of whom are liv-
ing. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which
he united in 1837. Although Mr. Dorn is sixty-five years of age he is
still hale and hearty, and swings a hammer as dexterously as he did in
the palmiest days of his youth.

James P. Anglemier, furniture dealer, Compton, was born in Mon-
roe county, Pennsylvania, in 1848. At the age of twenty-two he came
to Willow Creek township, Lee county, where he worked at the carpen-
ter trade until 1879, when he embarked in the furniture business at
Compton, where he is doing a flourishing business, and is one of the
most popular business men in the village. Mr. Anglemier was mar-
ried in 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Kettley, a native of Lee county.

Samuel W. Carnahan, farmer, Compton, was born in Montour
county, Penns3dvania, in 1840. He came with his father, Samuel Car-
nahan, to Lee county in 1818. His father bought land in N.E. ^ Sec.
10, Brooklyn township. Mr. Carnahan received most of his early
education in Lee county. He remained at home with his father until
twenty-five years of age, and then went to farming for himself. His
father took quite a prominent part in political and other public aflPairs
while living, and died leaving a large circle of friends and acquaint-
ances to mourn his loss. Samuel W. is a member of Masonic lodge
No. 282, at Compton, of which he has been a prominent member for
some 3^ears. He was married in 1865, to Miss Celestia Jones, a native
of New Jersey, and is the father of four children.

Thomas D. Yocum, farmer, West Brooklyn, was born in Colum-
bia county, Pennsylvania, in 1819. He resided in that state until 1855,

BROOKLYN TOWNSHIP. 435

when he came west and located in Sublette township, where he remained
until 1860. In that year he bought land in IST.E. ^ Sec. 6, in Brook-
lyn township, upon which he has since resided. Mr. Yocum was mar-
ried in August 1843, to Miss Lena Lemon, a native of Pennsylvania^
who died in 1845. He was again married in 1849, to Miss Rachael
Steadman, also a native of Pennsylvania. His second wife died in
1878. Mr. Yocum is the father of two children : Francis M., born
March 1851, and Lena Ellen, December 14, 1856. In religion Mr.
Yocum is a Universalist, and in politics a democrat.

Samuel Aegkayes, farmer, Compton, was born in Lancashire,
England, in 1825. His parents came to America when he was four
years of age, and located in Essex county, New York, where they
remained six years. In this country Mr. Argraves received his early
education. In 1835 the family I'emoved to Canada West and remained
there until Samuel was twenty-one years of age. Mr. Argraves then
started out in life for himself. He came to Lee county in 1845 and
hired out by the month on a farm in Yiola township and worked one
year in this way. In 1846 he entered a claim in S.W. ^ Sec. 25, in
that township, erected a dwelling on it, and began the great battle of
life single-handed and alone. The first furniture he had in his house
was mostl}' constructed by his own hands. He says that he and his
wife were as happy in their rude little home as though it had been a
marble palace. In 1850 Mr. Argraves was stricken with the "gold
fever" and accordingly set out for California by wagon. Soon after
reaching " the land of promise " he embarked in the mining business,
from which he realized enough to give him a fair start in the world.
He spent two years in that state and then returned home by way of
New Orleans. While absent his wife became very destitute, but
owing to the kindness of Mr. John Gilraore and William Guthrie she
was well supplied with the necessaries of life until Mr. Agraves' return>
when they were repaid for their kind deeds, for which he still feels
very grateful. Mr. Argraves enlisted in 1865 in Co. I, 15th 111. Inf.,
and was in the service eight months. He was married in 1845, to
Miss Martha Miller, a native of Canada West, and is the father of
four children.

MiNOK M. Avery, merchant, Compton, was born in Wayne county,
Pennsylvania, in 1845. He resided there until nine years of age, when
he removed with his father to Lee county. Mr. Avery received most
of his education in Lee county, where he resided until 1865. In that
year he enlisted in Co. I, 15th 111. Inf., which regiment went to New
York city, thence to Morehead city. North Carolina, and finally joined
Sherman's army at Goldsboro. At Raleigh Mr. Avery witnessed the
surrender of Johnston's army. He was married in 1867, to Miss

436 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Angelina Argraves, a native of Lee county. Mr. Avery has been en-
gaged in tlie dry -goods and grocery business in Compton since the
laying out of the viHage. He is a man of broad, liberal views upon
all subjects, public-spirited and enterprising, a desirable citizen, a pop-
ular merchant, and we predict for him a bright and prosperous future.

Andrew J. CARNAHAisr, merchant, West Brooklyn, was born in
1816, in Columbia county, Pennsylvania. He resided in that county
until 1816. He received his education at the Danville College. Mr.
Carnahan came to Lee count}' in 1850 and bought land on which
Carnahan station now stands. He was engaged in farming until 1872.
Through his influence a railroad station was established on his land)
where he built an elevator, flouring-mill, saw-mill, and store building.
Since that time he has done an extensive business in dry-goods, grain
and stock. Mr. Carnahan has been justice of the peace for sixteen
years. He was married in 1831:, to Miss Elizabetli Holden, also a native
of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He is the father of nine children, six of whom are living.

Lewis Compton, farmer, Compton, was born in Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania, in 1847, where he resided until nine years of age. In
March, 1856, he came with his father's family to Lee county, where he
followed the occupation of farming until 1863, when he enlisted in
Co. L, 17th III, Cav., and served until June 1864, at which date he
was discharged. He was married in 1866, to Laura L. Covey. He is
father of Ave children.

Hiram Carnahan, physician, Compton, was born June 10, 1830,
in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until eighteen
years of age, when he came with his father's family to Lee county.
In 1848 his father, Samuel Carnahan, bought land in S. -^ of E. ^ and
N. -J of S.E. ^ Sec. 10, and afterward tftie remainder of the S. ^ of that
section. The doctor resided with his father until 1855, in which year
he went to Chicago and attended two terms in the Rush Medical Col-
lege. In 1857 he was married to Miss Sarah Christiance, and shortly
afterward, in the same year, moved to Floyd county, Iowa, where he
practiced two years. In the fall of 1859 he brought his family to Lee
county, and again returned to Chicago, resumed his studies in the
Rush Medical College, and graduated under the auspices of that insti-
tution on February 16, 1860. In that year he commenced practicing
in Mallugin's Grove, where he remained until 1875, wdien he moved
to Compton, where he has since resided. The doctor is a staunch
republican and has taken quite an active part in politics. He is the
father of nine children, four of whom are living.

Dayid Holdren, farmer, Compton, was born in Columbia county,
Pennsylvania, in 18S7. He learned the carpenter trade in that county,

NELSON TOWNSHIP. 437

and came to Chicago in 1848, bringing a kit of carpenter's tools.
While in Chicago Mr. Holdren worked on the old Tremont House
that was destroyed in the great fire. At that time there were very
few buildings west of the river. He worked in Chicago three months,
and then went to Rockford, Illinois, and remained there two years, at
the end of which time he returned to Pennsylvania, and was married
to Miss Lucretia McCoy. He remained in Pennsylvania until 1863.
In that year he came to Lee county. In 1865 he enlisted in the 15th
111. Inf , and served until the close of the war. He then returned home
and worked at his trade until 1876. In that year he went on a farm
v/hich he had bouo-ht in 1869. Since 1876 he has been engaged in
farming and stock raising. He is a member of Masonic lodge No. 282.

NELSON TOWNSHIP.

This township is bounded on the east by South Dixon, on the south
by Harmon, on the north and west by Rock river and Whitesides county.
The soil is sandy and not so productive as in some other .portions of the
county, and consequently was not settled as earl3^ The principal prod-
ucts are corn, wheat, oats, barley and rye. The land is nearly all
tillable and devoted to grain raising. The farmers of Nelson do not
devote as much of their attention to grazing and stock raising as do the
people in some portions of the county. Her people are a quiet, well-
to-do class of farmers, and intelligent, enterprising and patriotic. Polit-
ically the township is republican, yet as a rule her citizens are rather
independent, and do not so far forget the welfare of the common
country as to allow party prejudice to cause them to overlook errors
and corruption simply because they exist in their own party. They do
not believe in permitting a scoundrel to evade justice simply because
he bears a party trade-mark. Neither do they believe that patriotism
is confined to party lines. They are broad-minded enough to see that
a man whose lot is cast in America, who has a home on her soil, whose
father and mother lie side by side under the sod made free by patriotic
blood, whose children are taught to lisp the names of Washington and
Lincoln, regardless of his political opinion, is as deeply interested in the
common welfare of the nation as themselves.

The earliest settler in Nelson township was Luther Stone, who
came in 1836 from Erie county. New York, and located on Sec. 29.
Burrel and Samuel Stone, who are still residents of the township, are
sons of Luther, and shared with their father the dangers and
hardships of pioneer life. In the winter of 1837 Burrel, his brother
Samuel, and their father, were getting home a supply of wood from

438 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Scott's GrovG, eight miles south of BniTel's present residence. During
the father's absence with a load of wood a snowstorm of unusual
severity came on. Alone in the timber, without shelter or food, the
boys became alarmed and saw that something must be done or they
would perish in the storm. The snow came down in such quantities
as to darken the air, Tlie wind roared through the leafless branches
of the forest and night was coming on. With this gloomy prospect,
together with that of passing the night in the forest, filled their hearts
with dismay, and they set out in a westerly direction, hoping to find a
deserted cabin that stood about two miles distant. Fortunately, after a
long search, the}' came in view of the shanty, which, although in a very
dilapidated condition, afforded them a shelter from the merciless storm.
With the aid of some tow they succeeded in making a fire with their
guns, and for three days were cooped up in that gloomy prison, sub-
sisting during their imprisonment on a coon they had shot in the forest.
At the end of that time tlie storm subsided, so that they were enabled
to make their way home. At another time, in the winter of 1842,
Burrel was driving home from Dixon. A few scattering flakes of snow
were falling when he started, which soon developed into a howling
blizzard. Owing to the density of the falling snow darkness came
on earlier than usual, and Burrel lost his way in the blinding storm.
Knowing that if he did not keep himself and horses in motion death
would be certain, he kept the horses going around in a circle until day-
break, when he found to his surprise that he was within a short dis-
tance of home.

The first supervisor of the township was Abner Coggswell. The
first justices of the peace were Daniel Uhl and George Jones; first
assessor, Michael Troutman ; first collector, R. Henry Heaton, all of
whom were elected in 1860, in which year the town was organized.

When the rebellion broke out Nelson township furnished her quota
of troops without a draft, and deserves great credit for the prompt
manner in which she responded to the call of her country. She fur-
nished troops for the 13th, S-ttli and 75th 111. regiments. The only
church in the township is Zion's Evangelical Lutheran, which society
was organized February 23, 18G7, M'ith 58 members. The first elders
were Conrad Hartman and Daniel Uhl ; deacons, Lewis F. Long,
Gerhart Missman. The first pastor was Rev. A. A. Trimper ; the
second, Ephraim Miller, who was made pastor in September 1871, and
served until February 20, 1875. The next pastor was the Rev. J.
P. Sanderson, who was elected pastor March 29, 1875, and served
until October 1877. Rev. J. W. Henderson took charge of the con-
gregation November 1, 1877, and served until April 1, 1879. A.
J. B. Kast became pastor June 15, 1877, and still presides.

NELSON TOWNSHIP. 439

The church building now occupied by the congregation was erected
in 1880, at a cost of $3,500, on the land of Conrad Hartman. The
present elders are Thomas Clayton and Jacob Harden, and the deacons
are Gerhart Missnian and S. Gr. Cook.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Abner Coggswell, farmer, Nelson station, son of John and Re-
becca Coggswell, was born in Oneida county. New York, where he
resided with his parents until 1843. In that year he came to Lee
county and bought land in Sec. 30, Nelson township. Mr. Coggswell
served as road commissioner four years, when Nelson and South and
East Dixon townships were one, and was the first supervisor of Nelson
township. He was married June 10, 1838, to Miss Phalinda Hawley,
who died in 1860. He was again married in October 1861, to Mrs.
Rachel Ferguson, a native of New York state. Politically he is a re-
publican, with which party he united in its infancy.

Ueiah Grooveb, farmer, Dixon, son of George and Pheba Groover,
was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1818. When Uriah
was nine years of age his father, with his family, removed to Berks
county, where they remained nine 3'ears. In 1836 the family removed
to Amherst county, Yirginia. After remaining here one year Uriah
returned to Columbia county and apprenticed to a carpenter. After
working two years as an apprentice he went to Danville, Montour
county, where he worked at his trade until the spring of 1854. In that
year he came to Dixon, where he again worked at his trade for some
time. In 1857 he bought land in Dixon township, which he sold in
1865 and bought in Sec. 26, Nelson township. In 1862 his son Joseph
enlisted in Co. A, T5th 111. Inf. In 1864 his son James enlisted in the
12th 111. Cav. and started to join his regiment. He was taken suddenly
ill at Yicksburg and died in the hospital in November following. Mr.
Groover was married in 1842, to Miss Catharine Ritzs, also a native of
Columbia county. His first wife, Catharine, died in December, 1862,
and in 1868 he was again married, to Elizabeth Kelly. He is the father
of twelve children, nine of whom are living. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1863.

William Covert, farmer, Dixon, was born in Seneca county. New
York, May 27, 1824, where he resided until fourteen years of age, when
he went to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and remained about four years. At
the end of that time he returned to Seneca county and remained there
until 1858. In that year he came west and located in' McHenry
county, Illinois, where he resided five years. He then removed to
Cook county, where he remained a short time, after which he removed
to Lee county and bought land in S.E. J of S.E. ^ Sec. 26, where he

440 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

has since resided. He was married in 1849, to Miss Mary Geer, a na-
tive of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, with which he united in 1856.

Charles F. Hubbard, farmer, Dixon, son of Ruggles and Catherine
Hubbard, was born in New York city, in 1817. He resided with his
parents in that city till nineteen years of age. He received his early edu-
cation in the city, and in 1829 was sent to Bennington, Vermont, where
he attended school three years, and was a class-mate of Gen. Robert
Marcy and Gov. Cornell. After having completed his education he
returned to the city and was engaged as clerk for an importing mer-
chant. In 1837 he left New York for the Rocky mountains, in com-
pany with his brother-in-law, William Graham. They came from New
York to Pittsburgh by canal, thence down the Ohio by steamboat to
Cairo, and up the Mississippi to St. Louis, which at that time was but
a struggling village in the heart of the great frontier. On their
arrival at that place they found that the Santefe wagon train had
departed several days before, and not caring to embark alone on a
journey so full of peril, they abondoned the idea and took a boat
for Galena. After remaining here a short time they went across the
country to Dixon, for the purpose of spending a few days in hunting.
This country at that time he describes as being a paradise, the clear,
sparkling river abounding in fish. The green hills adorned with
flowers of every hue formed a scene well calculated to fascinate the
young travelers just out of the cit}', with its great, gloomy buildings
and dusty streets. Mr. Hubbard, being desirous of making his home
in this beautiful hind of flowers, purchased a claim from John Dixon
in what is now the N.E. ^ Sec. 11, in Nelson township, where he
cast his lot. His ])resent residence is situated on a blulf' overlooking
the river, on whose banks he expects to pass the remainder of his life.
Among all the many pioneers of Lee county whom the writer has in-
terviewed we have not found one more interesting in conversation
than Mr. Hubbard. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence,
broad-minded and liberal in his views, and possesses the respect of all
who know him. He was married in 1844, to Miss Helen Graham, also
a native of New York city. He is father of five children, one son
and four daughters.

Samuel Stone, Rock Falls. Luther Stone, father of Samuel, was
born in Massachusetts in 1795. He was married in 1817, to Miss
Tamina Warren. In 183G he came to Lee county and located on the
banks of Rock river, in what is now Nelson township. Here he
erected a large log house, over which he presided in the capacity of
landlord, keeping travelers, which were then becoming quite numerous.
The names of Luther Stone's children are as follows : Willard, born

NELSON TOWNSHIP. 441

in New York, February 4, 1819; married July 10, 1840; died Febru-
ary 13, 1841. Henry B., born January 12, 1821, in New York state;
married April 27, 1851. Samuel, born December 18, 1824, in New
York state; married November 3, 1843. Alonzo Stone, born March
1, 1827; died at Dixon, October 9, 1847. Savina, born January' 21,
1830 ; married March 10, 1853. Albert Stone, born March 11, 1834.
Samuel Stone is one of the oldest residents in Nelson township, and
his name is closely interwoven with her early history. In 1879 a
large barn belonging to him, and containing fifty tons of hay and all
of his machinery, was burned to the ground.

Jacob Harden, farmer, son of George and Hester Harden, was
born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, within forty rods of Mason
and Dixon's line, where he remained with his father's family until
twelve years of age, when they moved to Alleghany county. Mary-
land. At the age of twety-nine Jacob returned to Somerset county,
Pennsylvania, and remained three years. He then came west and
located in Lee county, purchasing land S.E. J Sec. 23 in Nelson town-
ship. In 1880 Mr. Harden was elected supervisor of the township,
and reelected in 1881. He is a member of the Lutheran church, with
which he united at an early age. In politics he is a democrat.

Lewis F. Long, Nelson Station, son of Henry and Elizabeth
Long, born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1831, where he
remained until twenty-five years of age. In 1856 he came to Lee
county and located in Nelson township. In 18G5 he bought land in
E. ^ N.W. ^ Sec. 28 ; since that time he has been engaged in farming
and stock-raising. In 1869 Mr. Long was elected supervisor of the
township, and was again elected in 1870. He was married in 1853, to
Miss Sevilla Haas, a native of Pennsylvania, and is father of seven
children. Mr. Long united with the Lutheran church in 1865, and
since that time has been a prominent member. In politics he is a
republican.

Albert Hubbard, Dixon, farmer, son of Walter and Lucinda Hub-
bard, was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 1824, where he
resided until thirty years of age. His grandfather, Judd Hubbard, was
one of the pioneer settlers of Berkshire county, having located there
prior to 1800. His father was one of the militia ordered to Boston in
1814 to repel an expected invasion. At the age of thirty years Albert
came to Lee county and located in Nelson township; in 1879 was
elected justice of the peace, which office he held two years; married in
1850, to Miss Hanna Catharine Hunter, also a native of Berkshire
county ; is father of five children, four of whom are living. Politically
Mr. Hubbard is a republican, having joined the party in its infancy.

442 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

His brother Alonzo, who came west with him, went to Colorado in
1874, and has become quite wealthy.

Elijah Walker, Dixon, son of Peter P. H. and Sarah Walker, was
born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1832, where he remained
until twenty-seven years of age ; in 18C0 came to Lee county and bought
land in !N.W. ^ of Sec. 25 ; married in 1852, to Miss Joanna Fricca, a
native of Hanover, Germany, and is father of three children. Mr. Wal-
ker started out in the world with nothing, and by long years of persist-
ent toil has accumulated a large amount of property, and is one of the
model farmers of Lee county. He is in his political belief a democrat,
yet is not so narrow in his opinions as to overlook wrongs in misdoings
in his party, and does not hesitate to denounce such. Mr. Walker is
kind and courteous among his neighbors. Liberal in his views on all
questions, yet firm in his convictions, he is a citizen of merit and an
ornament to the community in which he resides.

HAKMON TOWNSHIP.

This township is bounded on the south by Hamilton, on the east by
Marion, on the north by Nelson, and on the west by Whitesides county.
As yet the land is not as productive as in some parts of the county,
being very flat and inclined to be marshy, but as drains are being made
in all parts of the township it is rapidly improving, and when thoroughly
drained will be as good as the average. Owing to the sterility of the
soil the township is sparsely settled, the present population not being
more than about six hundred. The inhabitants are largely Irish.

In early times, owing to the numerous swamps and ponds, ducks
and geese were very plentiful, and hunting was a favorite pastime
among the early settlers. The first settler was John D. Rosebrook,
who purchased a large tract of land in the eastern part of the township.
Among the settlers who came soon after Mr. Rosebrook were Louis
Hullinger, Thomas Sutton, John L. Porter and James Porter, jr.
The first school-house in the township was built on Sec. 23 in 1856.
The first school was held at the residence of Mrs. Tuttle and conducted
by her daughter, Vienna Tuttle.

The first supervisor of the township was Mitchell Rosebrook.

The village of Harmon, situated on the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy railroad, was laid out in 1871, on land owned by A. Kenyon.
The present population of the village is about three hundred. Sur-
rounded by a wide scope of country, which, owing to the industry of
its enterprising citizens, is rapidly improving, Harmon promises to
become one of the thriving inland villages of Lee count3\ It has two

HARMON TOWNSHIP. 443

extensive elevators, which receive large quantities of grain, tliree dry-
goods and grocery stores, one jewelry store, three blacksmith shops,
one livery stable and one hotel, one creamery and three churches, the
Methodist Episcopal, "Wesleyan Methodist and Catholic.

The Wesleyan Methodist church was accepted by the Illinois con-
ference September 20, 18G2. The first pastor of this organization was
the Rev. J. Pinkney ; Secretary, L. Wakeman ; the present pastors
are the Rev. J. P. Spalding and William Clalworthy. The present
membership is sixty-four. The trustees are Levi Jennes, W. L. Smith,
A. Berlin.

The Methodist Episcopal society was organized in 1871. The first
pastor was the Rev. Rice, whose initials the writer was unable to ascer-
tain. The first class-leader was James Backus; the present pastor is
the Rev. Edward Breen, who took charge in October 1879. In March,
1881, the following-named persons were elected as trustees for the
purpose of building a church : A. B. Smith, W. E. Mechem, J. U.
Fry, W. H. Kline, Daniel Swartz.

Silas Ackeet, Harmon, son of Edward and Sarah Ackert, was
born in Ulster county. New York, in 1836, where he resided until
nineteen years of age; he then came to Marion township, Lee county,
and was there engaged in farming. After remaining there nine years
he removed to Araboy and remained one year, after which he went to
Woosung, Ogle county, where he worked at his trade (blacksmithing)
for six years. At the end of this time he removed to Harmon town-
ship. In 1879 he was elected supervisor of the township, and reelect-
ed in 1880. Is a member of the Baptist church, with which he united
in 1869. Married in 1865, to Miss Mary J. Rosebrook, a native of
New Hampshire. Is father of one child. Politically Mr. Ackert is
an independent, owing no allegiance to any faction or party.

George W. Hill, merchant, Harmon, son of George and Margaret
Hill, was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1848. His father was
here engaged in manufacturing soap. When George was fifteen years
of age his father, with his family, removed to Monongahela City, where
they remained three years ; at the end of that time George went to
Frostburg, Maryland, and remained two years, and then came to Lee
county, where he fiirmed and worked at carpentering until April 1877,
when he engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business. Pie was also
appointed postmaster in that year in the village of Harmon. Mr. Hill
was married in"1871, to Miss Gula E. Porter, daughter of James Por-
ter, jr., one of the early settlers of Harmon township. Mr. Hill
started in business with but a few hundred dollars of borrowed capital,
and by close attention to business has placed himself in good circum-
stances. Mr. Hill is a young man of enterprise and public spirit, and

444 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

always enters with enthusiasm into any movement calculated to
advance the interests of the village or benefit the community.

John T. Swan, Harmon, son of James G. and Susan Swan, was
born in Bureau count}', Illinois, in 1852. He remained there until
twenty years of age, when he went to Peru, Illinois, and attended high
school one year; at the end of that time he came to Harmon and
engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business. Mr. Swan is one of
the many prosperous merchants of Lee count3^ Was married in 1875,
to Miss Clara Shelhamer, a native of Lee county.

Thomas Sutton, farmer, Harmon, son of Joseph and Hanna Sut-
ton, was born on Wheeling Creek, Virginia, in 1820. At the age of
five years his father, with his family, moved to a point about fifteen
miles north of Zanesville, Ohio, where he resided two years; from
there the}' went to Jackson county, Ohio, and remained until Thomas
was seventeen. At this time they sold their farm and located in Hock-
ing county, Ohio, and remained until 1854. In that year they re-
moved to Lee county and bought land in the S. -| Sec. 25, Harmon
township. Mr. Sutton was married in 1840, to Miss Mary Ann Petit,
a native of Ohio.

Abner C. Welch, Stone Station, son of Russell and Louisa M. Welch,
was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1848. In 1856 he went with
his father's family to Michigan, and received his early education in
Grandville, in that state. In 1865 Abner removed to Lee county, and
began farming in ISTeison township, where he remained until 1875,
when he removed to Harmon township and bought land in section 6.
In 1878 he embarked in the grain and stock business at Stone Station,
at which he has since been engaged. He was married in 1870, to Miss
Ada Stone, a native of Lee county.

Wilson E. Meohem, farmer, Harmon, son of John and Abigail
Mechem, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, where he resided until
he was twenty-seven years of age, when he removed to Magnolia, Put-
nam county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade (carpenter) for three
years, after which he went to Marshall county and resided there from
1854 to 1868 ; in that year he removed to Petis county, Missouri, and
remained five years, then returned to Marshall county and remained
three years. He then removed to Lee county and bought land in sec-
tions 22 and 27, in Harmon township. Mr. Mechem is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1870. He
was married December 31, 1851, to Miss Rhoda Simson, a native of
Ohio.

Lewis Hullinger, farmer, Stone Station, son of Frederic and
Catharine Hullinger, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in
1820. When Lewis was seventeen years of age his father's family re-

HAEMON TOWNSHIP. 445

moved to Baltimore county, Maryland, where they remained about five
years. At the end of this time they went to Bradford county, Penn-
sylvania, At the age of fourteen Lewis was apprenticed to a black-
smith at a place called Flint Stone, in Alleghany county, Maryland.
He served five years' apprenticeship, after which he embarked in busi-
ness alone. He carried on a shop at Polish Mountain, three and a half
miles east of Flint Stone, for four years. From that place he removed
to Mount Savage, in the same county, where he remained until the
spring of 1855. In that year he came to Lee county and bought land
in S.W. ^ Sec. 7, in Harmon township. Mr. Hullinger was married
in 1847, to Miss Susan Long, a native of Pennsylvania, and is the father
of nine children, six of whom are living. He is the present supervisor
of the township.

W. H. Allen, farmer. Stone Station, son of John and Mercy
Allen, was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, July 18, 1824. The
family remained there until William was ten years of age, when they
removed to Erie county, New York, where they remained until 1839.
In that year William, actuated by a desire to see some of the sights
and wonders of the boundless West, left home and started on a journey
toward the setting sun. Before his return he traveled over nearl}^ all
of the United States east of the Mississippi from Canada to New Or-
leans. After an absence of two vears he returned to his old New Eng-
land home and attended school three years at Dartmouth. In 1847
he sailed as a common hand on a merchant vessel that left the port of
New York bound for Yera Cruz, and was in sight of that famous old
city during the bombardment. From Yera Cruz he returned to New
Orleans and was there made captain of a vessel engaged in the coast-
ing trade, and was engaged in that business for several years. In 1848
he again returned to New Bedford and remained there until 1852. In
that year he sailed on a whaling vessel, occupying the position of first
mate. On the first voyage he was absent two years, during which
time he was in nearly all of the important seaport towns in the woi'ld.
Mr. Allen has in his possession a large diary, or sailor's log-book, kept
by himself during his life on the ocean wave, containing sketches de-
scriptive of the people he saw in the difierent countries he visited, also
containing descriptions of the countries, records of ever}'- storm en-
countered, of every whale captured, etc. In perusing this time-worn
book the writer found sketches dated at Melbourne, Australia, Hong
Kong, China, Gibralter, and many places of historical interest, among
which was some notes written at the island of St. Helena. While
here Mr. Allen visited the burial-place of the dead conqueror, who
had once electrified the world by his brilliant military movements, and
who ended his days on that lone, barren isle with no loving hand to

446 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

caress him, no voice to bid liim a last farewell, save that of the wild
waves as they dashed against the bleak and rocky shore. Mr. Allen
spent abont fourteen years of his life on the sea, and has now changed
his occupation from that of plowing the billowy deep to that more
humble and less exciting vocation of tilling the soil. He came to
Lee county in 1864 and bought land in N.W. ^ of Sec. 18, Harmon
township. He was married in 1859, to Miss Caroline Dean, also a
native of Massachusetts.

Abraham Berlin, farmer, Harmon, son of Abraham and Maria
Berlin, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1837,
where he remained until fifteen years of age. His father died in 1847.
In 1853 Abraham came with his mother to Stephenson county, Illinois,
where they resided two years and then removed to Bureau county,
Illinois. They resided in that county five yeai's, and then came to Lee
county and bought land in S.W. J Sec. 26. Mr. Berlin is a member
of the Wesleyan Methodist church, with which he united in 1865; was
married in 1863, to Miss Nancy Jane Swan, a native of Kentucky, and
is the father of five children.

Asa B. SMrrn, farmer, Harmon, son of Obediah and Lorena Smith,
was born in Norwich county, Connecticut, in 1822, where he resided
until twenty-one years of age. His father was engaged in the clothing
business in New London, but as Asa's tastes did not run in that direc-
tion he was apprenticed to a stone-cutter at an early age, and served
until the fall of 1843. In the spring of 1844 he went into the city of
Buffalo, where he worked five years at his trade. At the end of that
time he went to farming, and was engaged in tilling the soil until 1855.
In February of that year he came to Lee county and located in Dixon
township, where he was for three years engaged in burning lime and
afterward in farming. In the spring of 1861 he removed to Ogle
county and remained there until January of the same year, when he
returned to Dixon township, and was engaged in farming and ferrying
until the spring of 1865, when he moved to Harmon township, and
since that time has been a prominent citizen of that township. Mr.
Smith was married in January 1846, to Miss Sarah M. Rogers, a
native of Erie county. New York, and is the father of three children,
two sons and one daughter. In 1871 was elected justice of the peace,
which oflice he held for a period of ten years. Politically Mr. Smith
is a democrat, although quite liberal in his views on all questions, and
a very desirable citizen in any community.

Jesse IIetler, farmer, Dixon, the son of Nathan and Catherine
(Kulp) IIetler, was born in the township of Dixon, on April 27, 1839.
His father migrated from Columbia county, Pennsylvania, to Dixon,
and was one of the oldest settlers in the township ; when he came to

£^^-^ l:^0\^ ^M^cuJt^^^-v^u^^,^

BRADFOED TOWNSHIP. 447

Dixon there were only three log-houses in the city. Jessie received
his education at the old Bend school-house, and worked on his father's
farm till the age of twenty-four, when he married Miss Mary E. Beal,
daughter of Mr. John Beal, of South Dixon, now of Iowa, in which
latter state Mr. Hetler lived for seven years after his marriage. Re-
turning to Palmyra, Lee county, he bought a farm of 160 acres, which
he cultivated successfully for five years, when he sold it and bought in
J^elson township, December 1, 1879, a homestead of 156 acres, which
to-day ranks among the best farms in the township, and on which he
now dwells. His family consists of two boys and three girls, named
John T. Imogene, Alice Amanda, Nathan and Catherine, aged respect-
ively sixteen, fourteen, twelve, eight and six years. Mr. Hetler is a
member of the temperance organization. His first vote was cast for
Abraham Lincoln.

BRADFORD TOWNSHIP.

This originally included T. 21 and half of 22, R. 11 E., of the 4th
P.M. Its limits remained unchanged till the separation of the north
half-township in the organization of Ashton township in 1861.

The first meeting was held April 1850, at the house of Ralph B.
Evitts; Elisha Pratt, chairman, and Thomas S. Hiilbert, secretary.
Charles Starks was duly elected moderator and T. S. Hulbert, clerk, and
both were sworn by Geo. E, Haskell, justice of the peace. The town
was divided into three road districts. A fence law was passed. Charles
Starks was elected supervisor, receiving 27 votes ; Ira Brewer, town
clerk, 19 votes ; E. W. Starks, assessor, 18 votes ; Samuel S. Starks,
collector, 29 votes ; Ralph B. Evitts, overseer of the poor, 20 votes ;
Sherman Shaw, Stephen Clink and George Yale, highway commission-
ers, 29, '26 and 28 votes respectively ; Samuel S. Starks and Daniel
Barber, constables, 27 votes each; Elisha Pratt and Lafayette Yale,
justices of the peace, 24 and 21 votes respectively. Jesse Woodruff
was nominated and elected as the defendant and prosecutor of suits
of law and equity where the town is interested. On motion it was
voted that the next meeting be held at R. B. Evitts'. Meetings were
held at private houses till 1856, when a meeting was held in the school-
house at Ogle Station (now the village of Ashton).

Bradford is an excellent township for farming. About three sec-
tions in the southeast corner consist of marsh or swamp land, used
only for pasturing. Sec. 5, and a little adjoining land, is flat; the
rest of the township is probably equal in natural productiveness to any
other equal portion of Lee county. The land is in a good state of cul-
ture and mostly well improved. The inhabitants are German by a
27

448 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

wood majority. Nearly all of the first occupants of the town, nearl}' all,
settled in Lee Center, and thence spread out over the prairie north.
Some made their claims as soon as they arrived in this locality; others
lived at the "Inlet" a year or two before making an}' claim, l^early
all worked their claims before settling on ftliem and building. Mr.
Whitmore and Sherman Sliaw were the first to build houses within
the limits of Bradford. The house of the former was standing as
early as the spring of 1839, on land now owned by Mrs. Schott, in the
western part of the township. In 1810 Sliaw built a frame house on the
N.E. corner of Sec. 31. This building is still standing. Egbert Shaw
is said to have been the first white child born within the township.
Omen Hillison's house was built soon after those mentioned. Several
claims were made in 1839, and but few, if any, befoi*e. In 1838 Charles
Starks came to Inlet Grove, and the next year claimed the E. -ij-jST.W. ^
of Sec. 33, and the W. ^ N.E. ^ of the same section. About this time
the Whipples claimed a short distance north of here. Starks at once
began breaking his claim, and built and moved on to it in 1842. In 1839
George and Milo Yale claimed the JST.W. J Sec. in Bradford. In
1843 their father, N. C. Yale, moved from Franklin Grove to where
Jacob Schmucker lives. Sec. 1. Before 1843 Jesse Woodruif settled on
Sec. 33, R. B. Evitts on Sec. 39, and at about this time C. Bowen
settled north of Bowen on the same section, and Stephen Clink built
the stone house on the place where Y. Hicks lives. Sec. 33. As early
as 1845 John Hotzel was keeping what might be called a bachelor's
hall in a slab shanty on the E. A- S.W. ^ of Sec. 31, claimed by him two or
three years before. Hillison also was for several years a bachelor in
Bradford, and lived in a sod house on the prairie before he put up his
frame house. In 1843 Elias Hulbert claimed the S. -J- S.E. ^ of Sec. 19,
and moved on to it in the fall of the same year. John Owen was an
early settler on what is now known as Bradford street.

Many of the first occupants vi-ere from Bradford county, Pennsyl-
vania, and from this circumstance the town took its name. Lewis
Clapp located quite a number of land warrants at an early period ; and
much land was bought with money furnished by him to parties many
of whom would otherwise have been unable to purchase so soon as
they did. It may be justly said of Mr. Clapp that directly or indirectly
he did more than any other man for the early development of this
township. As it now is it presents an appearance of thrift and abund-
ance. Its population is industrious and peaceful. The town is not
thickly settled, many of the fai-ms being quite large. Inlet swamp
covers Sec. 36, nearly all of 35 and 35, besides a little of 24 and 34 in
the southeastern part ; this has no dwellings upon it.

There are eight school-districts and part of a union district in

BRADFORD TOWNSHIP. 449

Bradford. The eight school-buildings are fully an av^erage of the coun-
try school-house, and doubtless the Instruction given in them is not
materially different from work generally done in the country school ;
and yet the writer cannot dispossess himself of the idea that an ov^er
industry or greed for "eighties" and "forties" possesses many of the
foreign-born farmers, to the serious detriment of their children, in that
mental culture is lacking.

As earlj^ as 1850 meetings of the Evangelical cliurch of Bradford
were held at the house of John Hotzel, just over the line in China,
nearl}^ opposite William Ross' place. Hotzel had a room fitted up for
the purpose, and a Sundaj^-school was also started. These were the first
German meetings in the county. The preachers came from Perkins'
Grove, Bureau county : McLean was the first, William Kolp was the
next. Reinhart Grass, John Aschenbrenner, John Hotzel and his fam-
ily, members of the families of C. Reinhart and Conrad Hotzel were
among the original members. In 1859 a church was built on Sec. 17
at a cost of $1,300. In 1874 an addition was made and a steeple
erected at a further cost of $2,700, making the total about $4,000. The
present membership is sixty, all but two of whom live in Bradford
township. The Sunday-school numbers 125 pupils and 18 offices
and teachers. The present pastor is Adam Goetshel, who has charge
of this and another church in Reynolds township. These are in the
Ashton circuit and Mendota district. All services are in the German
tongue. The trustees of this church are Reinhart Grass, Peter Eisen-
berg, Nicholas Killmer, William Ross, and Charles Krug. The first
trustees were C. Reinhart, R. Grass, and John Aschenbrenner.

There are two cemeteries within the limits of Bradford. One is
on Sec. 29, on the southwest corner of the southeast quarter. Here
between forty and fifty have been interred. The earliest inscription,
October 25, 1842, is on the stone over the grave of Mrs. Hannah
Hulbert. Here are the graves of Omen Hillison, who died June 21,
1853 ; Lucretia Sawyer, wife of C. Sawj-er, June 20, 1848 ; Sarah A.,
wife of John Methorn, January 21, 1857; Lurany, wife of Elislia Pratt,
April 9, 1858, aged sixty-eight years ; Eliza A., wife of R. B. Evitts,
February 28, 1877, aged sixty-eight years, six months and twenty-eight
days; Stephen Clink, August 5, 1858, aged fifty years and ten months;
Susannah, daughter of M. W. and L. A. Welden, August 17, 1818,
aged nineteen years and four months. The other is on Sec. 15, a little
north of C. Gehant's house. There have not been so many burials
here as in the former, having been opened later, and these are chiefly
of foreigners.

The Bradford Insurance-Company was incorporated March 30, 1869,
by a special act of the state legislature. Ira Brewer, R. B. Evitts,

450 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Thomas S. Hulbert, Charles D. Hart, Yalentiue Hicks, C. F. Starks,
and George Hulbert were the incorporators. It was to be styled " The
Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Bradford, in the county
of Lee." At the first meeting, held I^ovember 1869, fifty-four appli-
cations were received, and fifty-one were approved and signed. Since
its organization the company has had but three losses, amounting to
$2,440. It has had no loss for two years. The number of policies in
force December 31, 1880, was 440, amounting to $592,190. About
twenty policies have since been written, making the total I'isk at this
writing (July 1881) about $620,000. These policies are held chiefly
in Lee county, in the north and eastern parts. A few are held in
Bureau and Ogle counties. The ofiicers of the company are Ira
Brewer, Samuel Dysart, George A. Lyman, C. D. Hart, William Y.
Jones, R. Grass, William Ross, managers; Ira Brewer, president;
Samuel Dysart, secretary ; C. D. Hart, treasurer ; William Y. Jones,
general agent.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

William S. Feost, farmer, Lee Center, was born in October 1832.
His father, Daniel Frost, was born in New Hampshire in 1799. Eulalia
Frost, his mother, was born in Maine in 1798. In 1837 Daniel Frost
emigrated from Maine to Illinois. Leaving his family in Morgan county,
he came to Lee county and built a log house about half a mile north
and east of the Binghamton mill in Amboy township. The follow-
ing spring the family came on, and in the fall of 1838 they settled on a
place about a mile and a half east of Lee Center. In 1852 Mr. Frost
moved into the village of Lee Center, where he lived till his death,
October 1868. His wife, Eulalia Frost, died May 6, 1875. Of his
eight children six survive him, Charles, Elizabeth (Mrs. Smith), Lydia
(Mrs. Salsbury), A¥illiam S., Silas D. and Marcia (Mrs. McKay).
Mary (Mrs. Gilmore) died October 1865; Almira died March 1875.
In the winter of 1853-4 William Frost went to California and returned
in the fall of 1858. In the following spring he went again to Califor-
nia, overland, and remained till tlie summer of 1861, when he came
home by way of Panama. At this point of his journey he heard of
the battle of Bull Run. In May, 1862, he began raising a company,
which was mustered at Dixon in June. On or about June 1 Mr.
Frost received his commission as captain of Co. E, 75th 111. Inf. This
was a full company from Sublette and Lee Center. Frank Ells was
first lieutenant. The companj^ left their camp at Dixon September 27,
1862, and were first engaged at Perryville October 8. Here Co. E lost
heavily: eleven were killed, twenty-six wounded, and two taken
prisoners ; Lieutenant Ells was killed and Captain Frost wounded.

BRADFORD TOWNSHIP. 451

The latter was removed to the New Albany, Indiana, hospital, where
he remained two months. He joined his company in the battle of
Stone river. He was in the engao^ements at Liberty Gap and Chica-
maiiga. In October, 1863, the 75th was assigned to the 3rd brigade,
1st division, 4th Army Corps, General William Grose commanding.

Capt. "William S. Frost was with his company in the battles ot
Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and through to Atlanta,
before which city he was wounded July 23, 1864, in consequence of
which he was in hospital at Lookout Mountain till October, and then
was sent home. He was mustered out February 23, 1865, at Cincin-
nati, Ohio, because of physical disabilities. In November, 1865, he
married Sophia E. Shaw, daughter of Sherman Shaw. Their issue
are Frank E., born November 3, 1866 ; Silas D., February 3, 1871 ;
William S., September 22, 1872; Melinda S., February 11, 1868;
Mary A., June 27, 1878. Mr. Frost is now living on Sec. 28, where
James Phillips settled, having bought him out in 1871. He has a farm
of 400 acres in Sees. 27 and 28. In 1873 he was burned out ; but
built again immediately, and two years ago completed his residence, at
a cost of $4,000. He is chiefly engaged in the raising of and trading
in stock. He is a Mason, and for several years has been supervisor of
Bradford. We wish him all the success that his generous nature
deserves.

Ira Brewer, farmer, Lee Center, was born in Hampshire county,
Massachusetts, in 1820. He is the son of Jonas B. and Betsey
(Miller) Brewer, of English ancestry. His father was a farmer and he
was reared to the same occupation. After he was ten years old he
received but four terms of schooling of three months each. In 1842
he was married to Mary Phillips, who was born in Berkshire county,
Massachusetts, November 1822. In the following year he and his wife
came west, arriving in Lee Center in June 1843. Here they lived in
a house previously occupied by Charles Starks, on the place now owned
by Alva De Wolf The same year Mr. Brewer bought from O. W.
Wright a claim, W i N.W. I of Sec. 32, Bradford township, for $40
in trade ; also the E. -| N.E. J of Sec. 31, from Sturdevant, for which,
with ten acres of timber at "the grove," he paid $100. He afterward
entered both these claims. In 1845 he build a house, 19x24 feet, on
his claim, about one hundred rods north of his present dwelling, which
is situated on the E. i: S.E. J of Sec. 31, having built the latter in
1859. Mr. Brewer now owns 270 acres in Bradford, Sees. 31 and 32,
and a large tract in Lee Center township, on Sees. 3, 16, 17 and 23.
He has had six children, four of whom are living: Louisa, born
March 30, 1846 ; George W., April 25, 1848 ; Ella J., December 11,
1849; Clara A., August 16, 1852; Luna C, August 22, 1854; and

452 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Mary Jane (deceased, aged ten months). Clara A., wife of B. Starks,
died October 24, 1872. Mrs. Brewer was the oldest in a family of
eight. Her fi^ther died in Massachusetts and her mother in Chippewa
county, Wisconsin, at the residence of her youngest son. Two of
Mrs. Brewer's brothei"s were in the Kansas struggle. One was killed
there in 1856 and the other lost an arm. In politics Mr. Brewer is a
greenback republican. He was the first town clerk of Bradford, and
for several years was supervisor. He with his tamily belongs to the
Congregational church. He has in his possession several valuable
relics: one is a powder-horn used in one of the early Indian wars,
another is a continental dollar "Printed by Hall &; Sellers 17T5."
Mrs. Brewer has an old Gaelic bible brought to this country by her
grandfather McCulIum more than one hundred years ago. On the
lirst cover are written these words: " Malcum McCullum augh this
book 1772. I am eighteen years old 1772. I have five brethren and
tne sisters." On the next page is written: "Malcum McCullum is
my name ; Bradalban is my nation ; Ardchoie is my dwelling place,
my boui habitation 1771. Malcum McCnllum augh this new testa-
ment." On the title-page is inscribed: "Le Balfour, Auld, agus
Smellie, M,DCC,LXVII." The book is in a good state of preser-
vation, the only disfigurement being the marks of a wetting it received
on its voyage from Scotland. But for lack of space the writer would
gladly testify to the many excellent qualities of the subjects of this
sketch.

LoKiN T. "Wellman, farmer, Lee Center, was born in Susquehanna
county, Pennsylvania, in 1821. He is the son of David and Abagail
(Taylor) Wellman. His father was descended from one of two brothers
who came from England about two hundred years ago. David Well-
man came with his parents to Pennsylvania from Connecticut about
1808. Jacob Wellman, the grandfather of our subject, was all through
the revolutionary war. In 1840 the latter married Waity Hopkins, of
ISTew York state, and in 1848 came to Lee county, and at first lived
about one and a half miles west of the village of Lee Center, and sub-
sequently in the village. His father settled at the same time in Du
Page county, Illinois. In 1852 Lorin Wellman located a land warrant
on the jST.E. ^ N.E. J of Sec. 27, for his father, and at the same time the
IST.W. of Sec. 23 for himself. In the meantime he followed the mason's
trade till 1856, when he bought liis father's property and moved to
where he is now living. David Wellman having moved to Bradford
in 1853, and died in August 1855. Mr. Wellman owns 240 acres of
land in Bradford, and an improved farm of 219 acres in Lee Center
township. Lie and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. He is a Mason and a republican, but was a staunch democrat

BRADFORD TOWNSHIP. 453

till the democratic platform of 1856 was formulated. His family con-
sisted of Charles H., William (deceased, aged seventeen years), Dennis,
Truman E., Seth A. and Ida M. The first and third of these are mar-
ried and living in Kansas. Seth A. is married and lives in Indiana.
Ida M. is the wife of German Lewis. Truman E. Well man died in
1864, in his twenty-second year. He was a dwarf, and during his
entire life was a sufferer from chronic humors and erysipelas. ISTot-
withstanding his great affliction, he was remarkably intelligent and
sprightly, and will long be remembered by all who knew him.

Harlow A. Williamsok, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born in
Addison county, Vermont, January 8, 1830 ; son of Samuel and
Sibyl (Delong) Williamson, both of Yermont. Their ancestors were
early English settlers in that state. Harlow Williamson was the son
of a farmer, and one of a family of four boj^s and three girls, all of
whom are west, except one brother, who lives on the homestead in
Yermont. The subject of this sketch came to Lee county in 1850 ;
worked around by the month four years. He bought the N.W. J Sec.
21, Bradford township, from Lewis Clapp, and in 1853 built a house.
He now owns a farm of 180 acres with good buildings. His house, built
since "the war," cost him not less than $3,000. In 1857 he married
Emeline S. Starks, of Lee county. Their family consists of two adopted
children, Harry and Katie Belle, aged fourteen and seven years respect-
ively. Mr. W. is a republican in politics, and with his wife belongs
to the Lee Center Congregational church. He is a careful farmer, and
his place presents a tasteful and thrifty appearance.

Philip Runyan, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born in Columbia
county, Pennsylvania, in 1818; son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Swisher)
Runyan, both of Pennsylvania. His mother's people were from Yir-
ginia, and his paternal grandfather was a native of New Jersey. Philip
was the eldest in a family of twelve, ten of whom are living. He was
raised a farmer, and enjoyed the benefits of a common schooling. He
was married March 28, 1844, to Elizabeth Savage, born September 8,
1819. Their issue are Anna, born February 1, 1847; Esther, Novem-
ber 8, 1850 ; Elizabeth, September 10, 1854. In 1849 Mr. Runyan
located a land warrant on the W. ^ N.E. i, S.E. ^ KE.^, and S.E. i
'N.W. i of Sec. 7, Bradford township, and in 1859 came from Pennsyl-
vania and settled on the same. He has since improved this land, and
his buildings have cost at least $4,000. Mr. Runyan and his wife are
members of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Franklin
Grove Masonic Lodge No. 264, and is also a Royal Arch Mason, Nathan
Whitney Chapter. Though a democrat, Mr. Runyan has for many
years held office in a strong republican township. He has been a
justice of the peace since 1862, and town clerk since If

454 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY. .

Peter Eisenbeeg, farmer, Ashtoii, was born in Hesse-Cassel, Ger-
many, in 1831 ; son of Asman and Christine (Sebrar) Eisenberg. His
father served thirty years in the German army ; was in the battles of
Waterloo and Metz, in the latter of which he was wounded. In 1852
our subject, with his father and mother and their family, sailed from
Bremen to New York, and arriv^ed in Lee county in December of the
same year. The family settled on Sec. 23, Bradford township, and
bought the E. ^ N.E. ^ from Lewis Clapp, and subsequently forty
acres in Sec. 10. Mr. Eisenberg now owns ten acres more than a sec-
tion of land, and lives on the N.W. ^ Sec. 23. His father died in 1872 ;
his mother is living with him. He was married July 1, 1855, to Cath-
erine Bower. Their family consists of nine children : Christine (wife of
John Fauble), George, John, William, Henry, Adam, Mina, Mary,
Emma. Mr. Eisenberg is a republican, and with his family belongs
to the Evangelical church of Bradford.

Luther Baldwin, farmer, Ashton, son of Joseph and Polly
(Smith) Baldwin, was born June 22, 1820, in Connecticut. Here his
father and mother were born, the former in 1797, the latter in 1796.
These parents had a ftimily of ten children, eight of whom, with the
mother, are living. Different researches trace the lineage of the family
to several Baldwin brothers who landed in New York at an early day.
In 1849 Luther Baldwin married Nancy Talmage, of Connecticut, by
whom he has six children : Poll}' Ann, Sarah J., Joseph W., Esther,
Phoebe, and Charles H. In 1852 Mr. Baldwin came to Lee Center,
where he lived three months ; thence to Ralph Evitt's, and in the
spring of 1853 he located a land warrant on the E. -J of S.W. ^ and
S.W. i of S.W. ^ Sec. 14, Bradford township. Here he has since
lived, having built the following fiill, and subsequently improved the
farm. He is a republican and Odd-Fellow, and a member of the
Ashton Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs.

Mrs. Catherine E. Aschenbrennek, Lee Center, one of the most
prominent characters in the history of Bradford, was born in Hesse
Cassel, Germany, in 1832. Her parents were Christian and Christine
(Denhart) Reinhart. She is the eldest in a family of six, five of
whom survive. Christian Reinhart was twelve years a soldier in the
German army, and in 1845 came to New York with his family ; thence
to Chicago, and from there with an ox team to Lee county. The next
year they rented a farm owned by Othro Wright, now A. DeWolf 's
farm, and from here they went to China township, to where Andrew
Reinhart now lives. Mr. Reinhart got eighty acres of government
land and subsequently eighty from Lewis Clapp. Here he settled and
lived till his death in 1865, at which time he was the owner of nearly
500 acres of land. Their first year in America was a hard one for the

BEADFOED TOWNSHIP. 455

family. The father was taken sick in cradling time and was confined
to his bed for many months. His wife and Catherine, his daughter,
worked veiy hard to support the family and pay doctor bills. They
cleaned grain, husked corn, and dug potatoes in early winter. Noth-
ing by which they could earn a little was considered too hard. In
ISTovember 13, 1849, Catherine Reinhart was married to Omen Hilli-
son, born December 14, 1814. He was an early settler in Bradford, and
at first lived in a sod house. His frame house was quite conspicuous
in an early day, and was seen over the naked prairie by the Reinharts
at Melugin's Grove on their way out from Chicago. The fruits of this
union were Henry W. and Betsey, born September 12, 1850, and Oc-
tober 11, 1852, respectively. Mr. Hillison died June 21, 1853, from
sunstroke. He was a native of ISTorway ; he came to America in 1835,
and for a few years was a coast sailor. He is held in grateful remem-
brance by all of the early settlers, man}' of whom first found shelter
under his roof on their arrival here. His widow was married, October
1, 1854, to John Aschenbrenner. Three children are their ofi'spring :
Christian, Reinhart, and Andrew. About 1870 Mrs. Aschenbrenner
paid her husband $7,000 for all the realty in his name, and they parted.
She has since obtained a divorce. She now owns 360 acres in Bradford,
131 in Brooklyn, and a large tract in Iowa. She has given two of her
sons 160-acre farms. Her mother died in 1870.

Reinhaet Giioss, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born in Hesse Cas-
sel, Germany, in 1829 ; son of John and Martha (Schnider) Gross.
His mother died when he was six or seven years old, and his father
two or three years later. The latter was nine years a German soldier.
In 1847 R. Gross came to America with Jacob Reiss, in whose family
he lived from his father's death till he was of age, at which time he
went to work for John Hotzel, continuing in his service four years.
In 1853 he married Martha Reinhart. He began farming for himself
on eighty acres in Sec. 24, China township, on which he lived till
1867, when he moved to Bradford, N.E. -J Sec. 19, and built on the
west half of the same. His farm is well improved, the buildings having
cost him about $5,000. To the above quarter section he added the
W. ^ of S.E. i Sec. 18. He also owns an improved farm of 150 acres
in Sec. 15, and eighty acres in Sec. 24. His children are : Christian,
Lizzie, Catherine (deceased), Henry, Mary, and Emma. The family are
members of the Evangelical church of Bradford, of which Mr. Gross
is a trustee. His eldest sister lives in Germany, and a brother and
sister are living in Iowa.

Ontone Reinhaet, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born May 13, 1840,
in Hesse-Cassel, Germany. He is the son of C. Reinhart, who gave him
a good education. The first land he owned was eighty acres in China

456 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

township, now owned by Andrew, his brother. This land was entered
by Lewis Clapp, and afterward bonght from him by the father of our
subject. In ISfil Ontone Reinhart married Catherine Kersten. About
this time he sold his land in China and bought from Samuel Crawford
the E. ^ of S.E. J Sec. 18, Bradford township. This he broke up and
built on it the same year. He now owns 360 acres in Sees. 18, 19
and 20, Bradford, and 45 acres of wood land in Lee Center. His prop-
erty is highly valuable, there being but little, if any, better land in
Lee county. In two of his pastures there is living water. Mr. Rein-
hart has a family of nine children : Henry, Andrew. Charles, Lizzie,
Martha, Gust, Lena, George, and Christian. Henry is married and
lives in Bradford.

Berghakdt Albrecht, farmer, Ashton, was born Febi'uary 10,
1839, in Hesse Cassel, Germany; son of George and Christine
Albrecht, who had a family of eight children. The former was in the
German military service six or seven years. In 1855 the subject of
this sketch leit his native land, both of his parents being dead, and
arrived in Lee county June 19. For nine years he worked for Adam
Schuhart, Bradford, and during the last year of his service there he
was married to Martha Kersten, by whom he has had nine children :
Martha, Ontone, Kate, Marcus, Charles, Mary, Clara. Two died, aged
one year and eighteen months respectively. After his marriage Mr.
Albrecht farmed rented land four years in Bradford, and then bought
160 acres in Reynolds, S.E. ^ Sec. 17, from Mr. Baden. Here he
lived six years, when he sold out to George Kersten, and bought from
the administrators of his deceased brother John's estate the farm he
now owns in Bradford. This consists of tiie N. |- of S.E. J and the S.E.
i of ]Sr.E. ^ Sec. 19. Mr. Albrecht and his family are members of the
Ashton Lutheran church. He had always voted the republican ticket
till the last presidential election. He is interested in the education of
his family much more than are the majority of the German people
in this vicinity.

Edward W. Pomeroy, farmer, Lee Center, was born in Northamp-
ton, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, in 1823. His parents were
Elihu and Miriam (Wright) Pomeroy, both of the same state and of
English ancestry. His father was a cooper, but he was raised a farmer.
He received a good education. In 1844 he came west to Princeton,
Illinois, and remained there from August till the following February;
thence he came to Lee Center. He lived with Mr. Ira Brewer three
years. In the meantime he bought from S. Shumway a claim to the
W. i of N.W. 1 Sec. 31, Bradford, where he is now living. In 1848 he
bought the Alva DeWolf farm, Lee Center township, but soon sold it.
About this time he bought an "eighty" on Sec. 30. This is land now

SOUTH DIXON^ TOWNSHIP. 457

owned by William Ross and J. Cronibie. It was here that Mr.
Pomeroy began housekeeping, having married, in 1852, Lora J. Adams,
of Steuben county, New York. In 1856 he sold this land, built on his
first claim, and moved to his present home. Since then he has farmed
but little. For several years he was buying and shipping hogs and
cattle. In 1868 he went into partnership with Lewis Clapp, in a grist-
mill, at Northampton, Massachusetts. Mr. Pomeroy has owned this
mill since the death of Mr. Clapp in 1880. In an early day our sub-
ject drove a breaking team and run a threshing machine for several
years. In 1846 he and J. H. Gardner bought the first reaper used in
the vicinity. It was a " McCormick," brought from near Rochester,
New York. This machine was first tried in a piece of winter wheat, and
many came from all around to see it work. In 1852 Mr. Pomeroy
raised the first crop of timothy seed marketed from this section of
country. It consisted of 150 bushels, which he hauled to Aurora and
shipped from there to Chicago by rail, receiving for it $1.75 per bushel.
His family consists of two daughters and one son : Mary, Lucy, and
Edwin. The former were educated at Rockford, Illinois. Marj^ is the
wife of Henry Wright, and is living in Massachusetts. Mr. Pomeroy
is a republican, and was formerl}^ an Odd-Fellow.

SOUTH DIXON TOWNSHIP.

The town of South Dixon was organized in April 1867. The
cause of its separation from Dixon, the parent town, was the desire of
the outlying farmers to restrain cattle from roaming at large, an evil
which was not sufficiently comprehended by the people of Dixon.
Mr. Abram Brown, in conjunction witii others, prepared and presented
a petition to the supervisors prajnng for the division, which was event-
ually made.

South Dixon comprises all of T. 21, R. 9 E., of the 4th P.M., and
contains thirty sections, having an area of 19,200 acres. It ranks
among the first in agricultural resources, the land being in a very high
state of cultivation. The soil for the greater part is a black alluvial
and is irrigated b}^ numerous small tributaries of the Three and the
Five mile branches, which latter traverse the township from east to
west; the source of the last mentioned is on the farm of Mr. Burkett,
at the southeastern portion of the township.

The surface of the country is gently rolling. The hills and dales
are beautified by many groves, under whose grateful shelter comfort-
able farm-houses appear. A perusal of the biographical sketches will
show that for tlie most part the present or previous occupants of this

458 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

portion of Lee county migrated from Somerset county, Pennsylvania.
They are a thrifty, industrious and persevering people, whose energy
has transformed a prairie into a garden ; they support schools for the
education of their offspring and are commendable for their religious
tendencies, and their homes possess all the comforts and many of the
luxuries of life.

Among the early settlers appear the names of Charles Edson,
Abram Brown, Christon Stevens, Henry B. True, Caldwell Bishop,
Reuben Trowbridge, Henry Page, Jacob McKenney, Jacob and E. H.
Groh, James Rogers, Matthew McKenney, Wm. A. Judd, Nathan
Hill, Wm. I. Fritz and others^ to whom particular allusion is made in
the memoirs.

There are three churches in the township : two Evangelical Lu-
theran and one Methodist Episcopal, the last mentioned being also a
union church.

St. James' Evangelical Lutheran church is on the Chicago road and
was erected in the year 1877, by the representatives of the various
religious bodies in the vicinity, but is now exclusively used by mem-
bers of the persuasion previously mentioned. It can accommodate
about 280 members. It is a wooden structure, cost $3,200, and is now
entirely out of debt. Wlien this church was built the Sabbath-school
was removed thither from the old brick school-house ; it is well
attended, has a staff of eight teachers, and for the past fifteen years
Mr. Hiram Uhl has been superintendent. The first pastor was the
Rev. J. P. Sanderson ; the present one is the Rev. A. J. B, Cast. The
church belonging to the Methodist Episcopal body is situated in the
village of Eldena. It was built in the year 1870. It is built of wood
and can seat 150. It is also a union church, being used by the Evan-
gelicals and United Brethren for church purposes. The first and
present pastor is the Rev. M. A. Rice.

SCHOOLS.

There are four schools in South Dixon. Particular allusion may be
made to the old brick school-house in Dist. No. 3, T. 21, where the attend-
ance at one time was one hundred and twenty ; the average attendance
now is about twenty-seven. The present teacher is Lorenzo Wood ; the
directors are Messrs. Abram Brown, HiramUhl and Isaac Seitz. Apropos
of education here, the first school was held bj'Miss Edson, in a room in her
brother's house. In the same room was organized the first union Sab-
bath-school in Lee county, outside of Dixon. Mr. E. B. Edson was
appointed the first teacher of the new school. The gentlemen most
active in its erection were Abram Brown, John and Charles Beal,
Joseph Smith, Hiram Uhl, William J. and John Fritz. The Kellogg

SOUTH DIXON TOWNSHIP, 459

school is in Dist. No. 8, T. 21, R. 9. The present directors are A. E.
Fellows, Frederick BoUman and William Missman. It can accommo-
date eighty children ; average attendance about twenty-five. It was
erected in 1867. The first teacher was A. M. Jennes ; the present one
Lydia Conderman. The Lievan school can accommodate seventy ;
daily average about twenty-five. Eldena school, in the village of
Eldena, can seat one hundred pupils : average attendance about fifty.
The first teacher was A. F. Parker.

The county farm is situated in Sec. 26, South Dixon, and contains
one hundred acres. The Illinois Central railroad cuts off" a small por-
tion, which is used as a burying-ground, in which five interments have
taken place within the past three years. The farm latterly has exceeded
the expectations of its founders, and though the land is now of the best,
yet under its present management the returns for the past three years
have exceeded those of any former similar period. In 1879 there were
sold hogs to the amount of $292.82; corn, $164; total, $396.82. In
1880 the proceeds from hogs, corn and oats were $254.12. The pros-
pects for 1881 are fair. There are at present under cultivation thirty-
four acres of corn and eighteen of oats. There are ten cows and four
horses on'the farm. It were well to explain that the farm is an asylum
for the poor, idiotic, crippled and infirm, as well as for those affected
by indulgence in strong drink. There are at present fifteen inmates,
nine males and six females. Four only are valuable as farm hands,
who are set to suitable work only, such as hoeing, milking, hog-feeding,
etc. Dr. Edmond R. Travers, of Amboy, is physician to the institution,
and visits whenever notified by the superintendent, Mr. Thomas L.
Stetson, who is a salaried officer. He works the farm to the best
advantage and hands the proceeds to the board.

LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETIES.

The only association of this nature in the township was organized
in the year 1858, under the title of the Edsonville Literary and
Debating Society. Its first meetings were held in the old brick school-
house at Edsonville, so called from a family of that name having been
the first settlers here. Mr. Abram Brown was its first president. He
evinced an unceasing interest in its welfare and progress. The debates
were characterized by vigor and ability, many clever men of Dixon
participating therein. This society exercised a beneficial influence in
forming the habits and educating the taste of the young in this district.

The Illinois Central railroad passes through the township from
north to south. There is a passenger station at the village of Eldena.
Mr. H. Hursey is the agent who fills the offices of the express agent
and operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company. The

460 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Chicago & ]^orth western railroad runs through the northern portion
of the township,

ELDENA YILLAG-E.

This is on the line of the Illinois Central railroad, and is situated
in the N.E. ^ of X.W. ^ Sec. 36, and comprises about forty acres.
The tirst store and house was built by Reuben H. Cheney, deceased.
The first and only church belongs to the Methodist Episcopal body,
vide churches. The first grain-house was built by Messrs. Reuben
Trowbridge, Reuben H. Cheney and Daniel Brown. The school has
been referred to under its proper head. The only elevator in the
village is owned by Jeremiah Mottollei', who ships annually about
300,000 l)ushels of corn. The elevator is capable of handling 3,000
bushels daily. The only stores in the village are owned by Frederick
Glessner, George J^. Stahn, and A. H. Brubaker, who keep an assort-
ment of goods suited to the requirements of the neighborhood ; but the
majority of the people choose Dixon for their market town. The
village has improved of late years; the population is now about 200.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Abram Bkowx, farmer, Dixon, the son of George and Elsie Brown,
formerly of York, latterly of Michigan, was born Nov^ember 17, 1816,
in the township of Yarmouth, at Temperanceville, Eighth Concession
north of Lake Erie, Middlesex county, district of London, Upper
Canada, where he subsequently filled the offices of clerk and deputy
postmaster. He migrated to the State of Illinois on September 21,
1837, and settled in the town of Grand Detour, Ogle county, where
he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and was appointed postmaster of
that place February 18, 18-10, which position he held for three years.
In the fall of 1843, having resigned that post, he moved to Dixon and
entered into the blacksmithing business, and on his appointment to
the postmastership of Dixon he declined his share of the partnership
in the blacksmithing business, and having creditably filled the office of
postmaster for three years, impaired health compelled him to resign
the post, when he moved to Franklin Grove, Lee county, where he
engaged in farming and established the first post-office ; he was also
the first postmaster appointed there. In February, 1849, he sold out,
and on July 3 following he moved to the place he now occupies, in
Sec. 13, in the town of South Dixon, and has since followed the occu-
pation of farming. He has always taken a leading part in politics,
being a democrat, and was twice honored by his party with the nom-
ination to the legislature. He was six times elected to the office of
justice of the peace, in which capacity he commanded the respect of
his fellow citizens. He has held the offices of highways commissioner,

SOUTH DIXON TOWNSHIP. 461

school trustee, and for eighteen years the post of school director in his
district. He took a very active part in having the town of Dixon
divided, and the town of South Dixon set oif, in March 1808, the
supervisors finally acceding to Mr. Brown's petition. Subsequently
he held the post of supervisor of South Dixon for four 3'ears and that
of magistrate for eight years. For a number of years Mr. Brown has
been crop correspondent of the Bureau of Agriculture at Washington,
and has acted in a similar capacity for the agricultural department at
Springfield, and has contributed various articles on the topics of the
day for the press and literary journals. He possesses a fine library,
is a man of extensive reading, and is the mainstay of a once pros-
perous and talented literary debating society, being its first president.
On May 14, 1844, lie was united in wedlock to Correlia Whitney,
daughter of Col. Nathan Whitney, of Franklin Grove, Lee county.
Mr. Brown has a family of three girls and two boys, all highly
educated. Virginia H., the eldest daughter, has taught school for the
past fifteen years, and has graduated from Rock River Collegiate
Institute. Olga and Mary remain at home. Henry A. Brown, the
elder son, studied medicine and is one of the supervisors in the institu-
tion for feeble-minded children at Lincoln, Illinois. George M., the
younger son, is a student in Champaign College, Illinois, and is
naturally an inventor, having patented a device for grinding mower
sickels. Mr. Brown is the oldest resident in South Dixon and one of
the oldest in the county.

Daniel Brown, farmer, Eldena, the son of John and Nanc}^
(Westcott) Brown, of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, was born No-
vember 6, 1820, in Windsor, of the same county and state. When
eight years old his father moved to Aurora, Erie county, New York,
where he attended school for about six years. In the spring of 1834
his father settled in Du Page county, Illinois, where Daniel availed
himself of the means o^' education till he reached the age of twenty-
three, when he entered Belvidere Seminary, near Rock river, and at-
tended there for one year, when, his father dying, he left the seminary
and took charge of his father's farm, which he shortl}^ afterward pur-
chased from the heirs; it consisted of 300 acres of very choice land.
In the year 1854 he sold the above farm and moved to Lee county,
Sec. 31, in the township of Nachusa, at that time Chinatown, where
he remained till 1871, when he disposed of his farm, but had to retake
it, the purchaser being unable to pay ; he then rented it till the spring
of 1880, in the interim residing in Dixon; since that time Mr. Brown
has occupied the farm. In November, 1842, he married Miss Adelaide
J. Cheney, eldest daughter of Reuben and Sarah Cheney, of Du Page
county, near Naperville, and they have a family of six children, five

462 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

boys and one girl. Clara, the eldest, has married, and resides in Iowa;
Frank, the eldest boy.jwas in the Union army in the war of the rebell-
ion, and at its termination went with the command into Dakota to the
Indian territory, where he conducted himself creditably, and located a
claim at Ellsworth county, Kansas ; Eugene M., the second son, is
engineer on the Texas Pacific railroad ; Walter B. fills the post of
clerk in Parsons, southeast Kansas, and Harry E. and Edwun are at
home.

Jacob Gkoh, farmer, Dixon, was born in Berks count}^, Pennsyl-
vania, in 1806, where he spent his youth and received a limited educa-
tion. At the age of sixteen years he was apprenticed to learn the
potter's trade, but because of bronchial affections he could not con-
tinue in it. In 1828 he was married to Miss Kathrine Hoffman, and
for some 3'ears lived at Catawissa, Pennsylvania. In 1848 they moved
to Lee county, Illinois, and a little later entered 160 acres of land near
his present home, with a Mexican land M^arrant. He is the father of
ten children, only two of whom are now living : Mrs. Susan Statlsmith,
of Eldora, Iowa, and Ephram H. Groh, Esq., a justice of the peace
and prominent citizen of South Dixon township, Lee county. He has
a beautiful farm home two and three quarters miles from the city
of Dixon, on the Chicago road. Politically Mr. Groh is a republican,
but has led a quiet, private life all his days, holding no ofSce save that
he was the first overseer of the poor in South Dixon township. He
has been a member of the Lutheran church for many years, and was
one of the prime movers in the establishment and building of the St.
James church, located a few miles from Dixon, on the Chicago road.
He helped to build the present school-house in his district, a brick
structure, which at that time was the finest in Lee count3^

Oliver E. Fellows, farmer, Dixon, the son of Simon and Eliza-
beth (Deyo) Fellows, was born June 12, 1837, in Cherry Grove, Jo
Daviess county, Illinois. His father was from New Hampshire and
his mother from New York state. From Cherry Grove his father
moved into Palmyra township, Lee county, to Sugar Grove, where his
father rented a farm and where the subject of this sketch attended
school for a short time. On March 25, 1860, Mr. Fellows was married
to Miss Mai-y E. Boyer, daughter of Abram and Elizabeth Boyer, of
Somerset county, Pennsylvania. He has a fine family of ten children,
five boys and five girls, all living under the parental roof. The census
taker said he had the premium family in the township. On March 11,
1878, Mr. Fellows moved from Sugar Grove to South Dixon, Sec. 29,
and rented a large farm from Col. Noble. The land is most suitable
for pasturage and agriculture. It is intersected by the Five-mile

SOUTH DIXON TOWNSHIP. 465

branch and contains a beautiful grove, which was phinted since the
termination of the war.

William J. Fritz, farmer, Dixon, the son of John and Eve (Mowry)
Fritz, of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was born there July 1,
1825, and attended school with much ditticulty on account of the
absence of roads. At the age of twenty years he commenced working
on his father's farm, which he continued till his marriage with Miss
Eliza Phillippi, eldest daughter of John and Rebecca Phillippi, of
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, which event took place October 16,
1849. After this he went on his own farm in that place. In April,
1853, he moved to Lee county, Illinois, South Dixon, Sec. 24. Mr.
Fritz, sr., had previously bought land in this section and gave eighty
acres of such property to his son, wlio subsequently bought from his
father eight}" acres more. Mr. Fritz has now in this township, in dif-
ferent sections, 390 acres of as good land as can be found in Lee
county. He has also eight and a half acres of timber lands, owns
besides 758 acres in Kansas, and is an example of what industry,
integrity and perseverance can accomplish. Mr. Fritz had ten
children : the eldest boy, Peter Freeman, died at the age of eleven
years, and rest, seven boys and two girls, are living, and with the ex-
ception of one boy who has gone east are all at home. Mr. Fritz
spares no expense in the education of his family, sending them to
the best colleges. ISToah, the third son, is at Carthage College, Han-
cock county. Mr. Fritz is most anxious that a superior education
should be imparted in the district school.

Hiram Uhl, farmer, Dixon, is the offspring of Daniel and Mary
(Long) Uhl, of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and was born in the
same county and state September 21, 1828. He was educated at the
district school till he arrived at the age of eighteen years. He followed
the occupation of teaming and farming for a considerable number of
years, when he moved west and bought a farm in Sec. 13, at that
time Dixon township, which he farmed till the year 1860, when he
moved into Dixon and engaged in the milling business for two years.
On September 12, 1850, he married Miss Margaret Wilhelm, daughter
of Philip Wilhelm, of Maryland, by wbom he had four children, two
of whom are dead ; the other two are comfortably' married. Mrs. Uhl
died Jul}" 8, 1858, aged twenty-eight years, ten months and twenty-five
days. March 20, 1862, Mr. Uhl married Miss ISTancy Hughes, daughter
of Joseph Hughes, ot Cumberland, Alleghany county, of whom the
issue is four children, all girls: Ida May, Bertha Almeda, Eva
Olive, and Grace Guthrie, all of whom are attending school. Mr.
Uhl's farm is a good one of 300 acres, watered by a tributary of the
Three-mile branch.
28

466 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Epiieaim Fkitz, farmer, Dixon, son of Ananias and Harriet Fritz, was
born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1847. His
parents migrated to South Dixon, Lee county, in April 1852, and
bought a farm of 135 acres in S.E. ^ Sec. 13. It has a southern aspect
and is well adapted for agriculture and pasturage. His mother died in
1864, and his father has removed to Kansas, where at present he farms
140 acres. The subject of this sketch, July 10, 1873, was united in
marriage to Miss A. C. Seibert, daughter of Rev. James L. W. Seibert,
Somerset county, Pennsylvania. They have three children, two girls
and one boy, named Flora Amelia, Harry Seibert, and Ida May, aged
respectively seven, live and four years. Mr. Fritz was for three years
in the Illinois Central railroad office at Eldena.

DuANE W. Bailey, farmer, Dixon, son of Capt. Hiram Bailey and
grandson of Maj. -Gen. William Bailey, was born in Rupert, Bennington
county, Vermont, December 10, 1838. He came from Michigan to
Illinois in the spring of 1866 and engaged in the dry-goods business in
Polo for some years, when he came to Dixon and bought a farm in the
vicinity of the town. Mr. Bailey has honorably tilled the position of
town clerk of South Dixon and now occupies the position of supervisor.
He returned to Yermont and married Miss Julia E. Graves, the youngest
daughter of Francis Graves, of Rupert, Bennington county. They have
had five children, but two have been removed by death, and two girls
and one boy remain.

J. MosTOLLER, grain, stock and coal dealer, Eldena, was born in
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1836, and came to this count}^ in
1855 and engaged in farming till 1861. He entered the army in Capt.
Cheney's battery, of Dixon, in which he remained for three years,
having discharged his duties efficiently and having enjoyed the esteem
of his comrades. He passed unscathed through thirteen battles. After
leaving the army he returned to farming for two years, when he
embarked in the dry-goods, lumber, coal and grain business, and now
owns the only elevator in the village, from which he annually ships
about 300,000 bushels. This elevator is capable of handling 5,000
bushels per day. In 1877 he married Miss Rachel Morris, of Lee county.

Isaac Seitz, tanner, Dixon, was born near Dayton, Ohio, ISTovem-
ber 18, 1843. His parents were Isaac and Elizabeth (Flora) Seitz, the
former born in Lancaster county, and the latter in Somerset county,
Pennsylvania, and both removing to Ohio in an early day. During
life the elder Mr. Seitz was a farmer and cooper, and died of apo-
plexy about February 20, 1877, in Lee county, aged sixty-seven years,
and Mrs. Seitz died about 1848, also in Lee county, in the same house
that her husband died in. Mr. Seitz, jr., came to this county when
about the age of two and a half years, and has resided here ever since.

SOUTH Dixox towjn-ship. 467

His education was of a limited character, and his occupation through
lite has been that of a farmer, having under cultivation some eighty
acres in excellent condition, all amassed by hard labor. He was mar-
ried to Miss Susan Landers December 2, 1869, in Sterling, Whitesides
county, Illinois. She was born March IT, 1850, in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, her parents also being natives of the same state. They
have live children: Cora A., born September 11, 1870; Irving O.,
December 17, 1874; Isaac H., March 10, 1876 ; William A., February
12, 1878; and Agnes May, March 27, 1880; Ollive Frances, born July
9, 1872, and died March 27, 1873, aged eight months.

Feederick Glessnek, general merchant, Eldena, was born in
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1847. His parents were
Jeremiah and Amy Ann (Laub) Glessner, both natives of Somerset
county, Pennsylvania, the father still living, and the mother dying
February 1868, in this township. Frederick, with his parents, came to
this country in 1864, locating near Eldena. He received the usual
winter schooling, and during the summer season he worked on the
farm. In September, 1877, he opened a store in Eldena, carrying
a general stock of merchandise, in which, by perseverance, industry
and integrity he has built himself up a fine business. He was mar-
ried to Miss Luphema Hill March 31, 1868, she having been born
February 11, 1848, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. Her parents,,
both deceased, were natives of the same state. Mi*. Glessner has a
family of five children ; Jeremiah, born January 28, 1869 ; Frank,
October 1, 1871 ; Percy, February 9, 1874 ; Esther, March 30, 1876,
and Arthur, August 26, 1880. Georgiana was born October 28, 1879,
and died February 25, 1880.

Jacob Senneff, farmer, Eldena, was born in Fayette county, Penn-
sylvania, July 11, 1836. Ilis parents were William and Phoebe (Bar-
nedt) SennefF, the former being born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
June 1795, and died in Carroll county, Illinois, in June 1875, in his
eightieth year. The latter was born in the same count}- in 1797 and
died in 1842, aged forty-five years. Mr. Senneff's father and grand-
father were born in the same house, and he was born not a half mile
distant. Our subject's great-grandfather was a general in the German
army during the twenty-one years' war, but resigned and came to
America, settling in Pennsylvania, his nearest neighbor being sixty
miles distant. At the age of eighteen years Mr. Senneft' moved to
Dixon township (1854), and to Carroll county in 1859, returning in
1861 to Dixon. In the latter year he enlisted in the 34th 111. Yol.
Inf, Col. Edwin M, Kirk commanding. His first engagement was
at Shiloh, followed by the battles of Stone River, Chattanooga, Mission
Ridge, Chickamauga, the Atlanta campaign and Sherman's march to

468 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

the sea, as well as the campaign of the Caroliiias in 1865. He was
wounded in both arms at Bentonville, North Carolina, March 19, 1865,
havino- his ri.o-ht arm amputated above the elbow, his left beino- still in
a crippled condition. He received his discharge July 24, 1865, and
returned to his home, moving to Carroll county the same year and re-
turned to Lee county in 1874, where he has since resided, following
the occupation of a farmer. He was married to Miss Sarah Fritz
November 15, 1855. Her parents were John and Eve (Mowry) Fritz.
]\[rs. Senneff was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, December 8,
1831. They have four children living: Mary Ann (wife of E. M.
June), Harvey M., Ellen A. and Susan V. Mr. Senneff has never
been the recipient of any office, nor has he ever sought for one, having
always been content with the position of " high private."

MAY TOWNSHIP.

This township derives its name from a military officer by that name,
who fell in the battle of Palo Alto. It is known as T. 19, K. 10 of
the 4th P.M. The tirst settler to cast his lot in this township was
Joseph Ba}^, who located on Sec. 13, south of Palestine Grove. The
next settler was Ira Axtle, who came in the same year, and located
on Sec. 6.

In 1840 William Dolan settled on Sec. 14. Mr. Dolan is one of
the most prominent citizens in the township, and has always since the
organization of the township held some position of trust. He served
twelve years as supervisor, was justice of the peace fourteen years, and
also held the office of town clerk and commissioner of highways for a
number of terms.

Martin McGowan, J. Moran and John Darcy also came in 1810,
and took claims in Sees. 14 and 23. Of these early settlers, Dolan,
McGowan and Darcy are the only ones who are at present residents of
the township.

May and Sublette towns were once a part of what was known as
Inlet voting precinct, and the voters were obliged to go to Inlet to cast
their votes. Elections K^re for a number of years held at the residence
of Joseph Sawyer at that place. The citizens of May were led to
expect the Illinois Central railroad to run through the town, but were
disappointed.

A post-office was established in the town at the residence of Mr.
Morrison, known as May Hill post-office. Through the efforts of some
interested parties the stage route was changed and a post-office estab-
lished at the residence of Daniel Beard, which office was known as
Brookfield.

MAY TOWNSHIP. 469

In 1850 William Dolan wrote to the Postmaster-General in regard
to the removal of the office, and three months afterward the mail route
Avas again changed and the office restored to its former location, and a
Mr. Hubbard appointed postmaster, which position he held until the
railroad had been completed, when the office was removed to Sublette.

In 1850 the township was organized by Joseph Crawford, Harry
Morgan and Lorenzo Wason, county commissioners.

In early times a brotherly feeling existed among the settlers, and
favors were exchanged in an open-hearted manner.

An organization existed known as the Palestine Grove minute
men, which had been organized for the purpose of protecting the
rights of the settlers in regard to their claims. In 1845 the land was
surveyed and the market opened, after which the minute men were
kept busy. The fii'st claim jumped and entered in the township was
that of Hiram Anderson, which was deeded by a man named Bull, who
drove stage between Peru and Dixon. This difficulty called the
minute men together from all directions. They met in the barn of a
Mr. Fessenden and passed resolutions which gave Mr. Bull some un-
easiness. He afterward deeded the land back to its former owner, and
gave him one 3'ear in which to pay the entrance fees.

The first school-house erected in the township was on Sec. 3,
which was also used for a church by the Catholics in the vicinity.

In 1843 the township was made a voting precinct. In 1S60 the
township cast but 120 votes, yet furnished forty-seven men to aid in
the suppression of the rebellion. Co. F, of the 75th 111. Inf., was com-
posed mostly of men from May.

Shortly after the war the German Catholics erected a church, wdiich
was named St. Mary's. The Irish Catholics also erected a church on
the west side of the town, which surpassed any building of the kind in
the vicinity. This building cost about ^9,000.

Among the other institutions in the town of May the academy
stands prominent. For this educational advantage the citizens are in-
debted to Mr. Patrick Piley, who on his death bequeathed his property
to his wife until her death, after which it was to be used for the pur-
pose of establishing an academy in May township.

Mr. Riley emigrated from the city of Philadelphia in 1848, and
settled on Sec. 23. By economy and hard labor he accumulated a con-
siderable amount of the world's goods. In 1860 Mr. Riley's health
began to fail him, and in spite of the efforts of the most skillful phy-
sicians, grew rapidly worse, and in 1868 he passed through the dark
valley, leaving his property to be used in the establishment of an insti-
tution of learning accordingly. The property, consisting of 120 acres
of land, was sold by the trustees, Martin McGowan and Patrick

470 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

McCann, and the work of constructing the academy was at once entered
upon. It was decided to ei'ect it on a piece of hind belonging- to the
estate, on the Rocky Foi'd and La Moille road, eight miles south from
Amboy. The main building is 30x48. The L is 16x18 feet, and
the whole is twenty feet in height. The institution is divided into
several diii'erent compartments. On the Urst floor are the school-rooms,
music-room, parlor, sitting-room, dining-room and kitchen. On the
second floor is the chapel, which is nicely fltiished and has a vaulted
roof. The rest of the upper floor is divided into sleeping-rooms, oc-
cupied by pupils who board at the academy. The building is sur-
mounted by an observatory, from which a view of the surrounding
country nja}^ be had. The seminary was dedicated early in September
1880, and is now occupied by six sisters of the order of Benedictine
nuns, who ai'e teaching, in addition to the common branches, German,
French, music, and drawing. They receive none but young ladies as
boarding scholars, but will admit boys as day pupils. The fact that
the school is crowded, together with thenniversal satisiaction expressed
by all whose children attend, is a suflicient guai'antee of the success of
the institution, and of the great benefit wliich will undoubtedly be
derived from it in years to come.

The soil of this township is rather^below the average in productive-
ness. The population is principally Irish.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

John McGinn, farmer, Amboy, was born in Ireland about 1811.
He is the son of William and Bridget (McGuirk) McGinn, and second
in a family of seven. About forty years ago he came to Canada and
lived a few j^ears. Returning to Ireland, he was married to Mary Jane
Montague (deceased 18G0\ by whom he has had eleven children, eight
of whom are living: James F., Marianne (Mrs Millard, widowed and
living in New York city), Michael M., Patrick Henry, Joseph, Dilia,
Catherine, Margaret. James and Michael McGinn, clergymen in the
Catholic church, are living in Philadelphia. In 1860 Mr. McGinn
came to the city of Now York and engaged in mercantile business till
1876, when he removed to this township and bought the S.E. ^ of Sec.
16, where he has since resided. All but two of his family were born
in Ireland. In the old country Mr. McGinn owned forty acres in
Ulster, county of Tyrone, besides other property in the same county.
He was in a general diT-goods and grocery business in the town of
Carrick More, near which his property was situated.

Petee Lannen, farmer, Amboy, was born in the county of Louth,
Leinster province, Ireland, March 1825. He came to New York in
1847, being the first of his famil}^ in America. Thence he went to

MAY TOWNSHIP. 471

Berkshire county, Massachusetts, where he worked several years for a
farmer. He next came to Prophetstown,Whitesides count}', Illinois, and
worked two years for a farmer. From there he went to Bui'eau county
and staid five years, thence to May township. He first bought eighty
acres in Sec. 19, where he is now living, and built upon it. He now
owns the north half of this section. While in Massachusetts he mar-
ried Mary Smith. Their issue are nine children : Thomas, Bernard,
James, Mary Jane, Rose, Peter, Maggie (deceased), Theresa, and Lizzie.
Bernard is married and living witli his wife and three children in May
township. The family belong to the Boman Catholic church. Mr.
Lannen is an enterprising man and is devoting his large farm chiefly to
dairying. In 1865 he built a good dwelling, at a cost of about $1,800.
His father died when he was only about two years old. His mother was
a hundred years old when she died, in 1879, having come to America
with her son, Owen, a few years after Peter came. Two of his brothers
died in Savannah, Georgia, of the yellow fever, about 1859, having
gone there about five years previous.

John Dakcy, farmer, Amboy, was born in Cavan county, Ulster,
Ireland, in the year 1818; son of Bernard and Mary (Lee) Darcy. His
father was a farmer, and died when John was quite young. In 1837
Mr. Darcy came to Canada, landing in Quebec June 15. In the fall of
1838 he started for Cincinnati, but wintered in Toledo, and went the
next spring to Chicago. While here he was working most of the time
on the canal. In the fall of 1810 he settled in May township, Lee
county, and claimed the N.E. J Sec. 23. He built a house the same
fall. There were then but tM'o or three dwellings between his and La
Moille, Bureau county, and none between his place and East Grove.
About this time Mr. Darcy worked a few weeks on the old State rail-
road, then being graded through May. Mr. Darcy, like many others,
received nothing for his labor but some worthless paper issued by a
certain A. H. Bongs, of La Salle, who had started a bank there. Mr.
Darcy now owns a farm of 280 acres. He was married in 1850, to
Margaret Curran, by whom he had two children: John, born in 1851,
and Catherine born in 1853. He is now living with his second wife,
by whom he has had five children. He is a Catholic; in politics a
democrat. He is not ambitious for office, having been once elected
justice of the peace and would not have the office.

Patrick McCann, farmer, La Moille, was born in the county of
Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland, in February 1825. His parents, Arthur and
Mary (Hackett) McCann, had four children, of whom he was the
j'-oungest, and the only one in the family that left the old country. In
June, 1843, he landed in ISTew York ; thence he went to Connecticut,
working on a farm during the summer, and in the fall came to Peru,

472 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Illinois, and worked for a farmer till December 1844:, when he entered
the regular armj at $7 pei" month. He was first sent to Fort Jessup
to join his regiment, the 3d Inf. In about three months he was
sent to Corpus Christi, where he remained till he was sent to Fort
Brown, which he helped to build. He was in Co. F, Capt. Bainbridge,
Don Carlos Buell being his first lieutenant. He was with Gen. Taylor
in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma May 8 and 9, 1846.
After the latter he was made a sergeant in Co. C, of the same
regiment. He was in the battle of Monterey in the following Septem-
ber, after which, with the best of Taylor's forces, he was sent to aug-
ment Scott's arm}", then about to begin its march to the cit}- of Mexico.
He was at the taking of Vera Cruz, in the fierce fighting at Oerro
Gordo, and in all the engagements till the fall of the city of Mexico.
He was at El Paso, New Mexico, when his term of five years expired,
December 2, 1849. From here he came back to Philadelphia via San
Antonio, New Orleans, Wheeling and Baltimore, and went to work on
Petty's Island in the Delaware river, between Camden and Philadel-
phia. In 1852 Mr. McCann came to Illinois to near Bloomington, and
began work on the Chicago & Alton railroad, having been married in
1850 to Mar}^ Burns. In the summer of 1853 he worked on the Illinois
Central, north and soutii of Sublette. After this he went to farming;
bought the E. ^ of N.W. J Sec. 35, and built a small frame house. He
also owns forty acres in Sec. 26, and half a section in Shelby county,
Iowa. Mr. McCann has a family of seven living: James, who is mar-
ried and living in Iowa; Arthur, also in Iowa; Peter F., at school at
Niagara, New York; Felix, Mary, Rose Ann, and Kate (one deceased,
aged nine months). Mr. McCann and his family are Catholics, and a
pleasanter man it has never been our fortune to meet.

Andkew Kessler, farmer. Van Grin, Bureau county, was born in
Saxe Coburg, Germany, April 1815. He is the second child of John
and Dorothea Kessler, whose family consisted of two sons and six
daughters. In 1850 Mr. Kessler, with his wife and four children, came
to Lee county and settled on Sec. 13, in May township. He owns
120 on the S.E. J and 70 acres in Bureau county, nearly opposite.
It is all highly valuable land. In 1870 Mr. Kessler put up a fine dwell-
ing at a cost of more than $2,000. He has an interesting and intelli-
gent famil}^ : Kasper, the eldest, is living with his famih' in Bureau
county ; Nicholas, Edward with his wife and two children, and Con-
rad, are all in Nebraska; George is in Bureau county, and John and
Sarah are living at home. Margaret, second in the family, died in 1872
or 1873, having about a year before become the wife of Jacob Betz.
Julia died in 1870, aged twenty-one years. Besides these, one son died
aged eleven years. Mr. Kessler, with his family, belongs to the church

MAY TOWJSTSHIP. 473

of the Evangelical Association of North America. He is a happy and
contented man, and votes the republican ticket.

Joseph G. Hall, farmer, Ambo}^, was born near Birmingham,
England, March 1843. His parents were Joseph and Eliza (Haden)
Hall. His father, a tanner, came to Philadelphia in 1844, the rest of
the family in 1846. The family came in 1857 to May township and
settled where "Squire" James Fitzpatrick is now living. In 1862
they moved to Clinton, Illinois, and lived there thirteen years, going
from there to Nebraska, where Mi-. Hall, sr., died in 1876. He was
twice married ; he had six children by his first wife and two by the
second. Joseph G. Hall enlisted November, 1861, in the 57th 111.
Yols., Co. A. The regiment was mustered at Camp Douglas, and in
February, 1862, went to Cairo, Illinois, and from there to Fort Henry,
arriving two hours after its surrender. The}^ were at Fort Donelson,
at the battle of Shiloh, and the siege of Corinth ; at luka and around
Corinth till the fall of 1863. Mr. Hall was also in the battles of La
Grange and Pound Creek, and wintered at Linnville in the winter of
1863-4. From here he went with his regiment to Athens, Alabama,
and thence to Chattanooga, and subsequently with Sherman to the sea.
He was mustered out at Savannah in December 1864, having been
engaged in many heavy battles and weary marches. He was married in
October 1867, to Mary E. Ash, only daughter of Geo. Ash. Their
issue are Maria Elizabeth, Georgeanna, and Joseph. Since his marriage
Mr. Hall has lived on the old Roger Place (also known by other names),
in See 3, having previously rented in Bureau county.

George Ash, farmer, Ambo}", was born in Devonshire, England,
June 1814. He received but little schooling, and this in a night school,
though most of his father's large family were quite well educated. His
father died on the day of the coronation of Victoria, queen of England.
In 1844 he was married to Maria Elliott, of Devonshire, and in 1847
came with his wife and one child to Pennsylvania; worked several
years in Phoenixville, Chester county, as an iron-puddler ; came to Lee
county in 1857, and settled on Sec. 10 of this town, baying fifty acres
from Henry Keeling, of Amboy. He has since bought eight}^ acres in
Sec. 9. Mr. Ash has had three children, only one of whom is living.
George, the eldest, enlisted in the 46th 111. Yols., Co. D, Captain
Wilder. He was in the battle of Donelson and in the first volley of
the first day's fight at Shiloh. In this battle he was killed, not then
nineteen years old. William H. died in Pennsylvania, aged eight
3'-ears ; Mary Elizabeth (now Mrs. Hall) was born in 1852. One of Mr.
Ash's brothers came to this country two or three years before him,
and after living in the State of New York moved to Canada, where he
died. Another died in Sublette about the time George Ash came west.
He has one brother living in California and a sister in New York.

474 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Silas W. Avery, farmer, Amboy, was born in Orleans county,
New York, March 1827. He was the eldest child of William and
Rachel (Bishop) Aver}^ He had one brother and two sisters. The
former, with his parents, is dead. His sisters are living in New York.
When thirteen years of age Mr. Avery began work on the Erie canal
at 810 a month. He continnedjin this business till he was twenty-
three years old, having learned the whole business and received
wages ranging from $10 to $130 per month. While at this work he
saved money enough to buy a home for his parents. This was thirty
acres of land in Niagara county, New York, purchased from Governor
Hunt. When he had got a deed of this property and settled his
parents upon it he spent a considerable time in traveling. He went
the entire length of the Ohio and twice down the Mississippi to New
Orleans. While coming up the river from that city the second time he
was taken sick and went to Cincinnati for treatment. Upon his recovery
he started with a companion afoot to Peoria, Illinois. While hunting and
fishing along the Illinois river he was taken with the ague and went
back to New York, where he spent the winter of 1851. In the follow-
ing spring he came with Mr. Acker in a carriage, by way of Cleveland
and Dayton, Ohio, to Fayette county, Indiana, where in February,
1856, he was married to Caroline Acker, by whom he has a family of
nine, living: Adella, born September 1857; Frank, October 1858;
Ella V. (wife of Wm. Boyd), March 1860 ; Mary Jane, July 1862 (de-
ceased June 1880); Sarah, May 1865; Willie "f., September 1867;
Alice, March 1872; Clara and Carrie (twins), August 1874. In 1857
Mr. Avery came to Maytown and bought the N.E. J of Sec. 7 from
John Dement. He since bought 200 acres from Ambrose Andrews,
on the S. ^ of Sec. 5, forty acres of which he has sold. He and his
family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church of Amboy. For
many years Mr. Avery has been prominently identified with Sunday-
school work. He is in his second term as justice of the peace. In
politics he is a greenback republican. He has been twice married, the
first time in the State of New York. By this marriage he had one
child, Theodore, born June 14. 1848. This son early evinced a desire
to enter the military service, and having obtained the consent of his
father, in 1864 he enlisted in the 7th 111. Cav. as a recruit. He died of
the measles the same fall at Springfield, Illinois, while his regiment
were still encamped there.

Thomas Boyd, fjirmer, Amboy, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland,
about 1813. His father's name was Robert, and his mother died when
he was young. There were four in the family, he being the eldest.
He received a limited education, chiefly in night schools, and worked
hard during his boyhood in factories, serving an apprenticeship of five

MAY TOWNSHIP. 475

years to learn the weaver's trade, whicli he followed for a short time.
In 1842 he was married to Mary Stuart. About that time he came to
New York cit}^ and worked for several years there and in Brooklyn at
the molding business, which he had followed but little before. From
the east he came to Ogle count}' and worked about ten years in the
Grand Detour plow factory. In 1863 he moved to May township,
Lee county, and bought 130 acres in Sec. 8, a part of it from the
Illinois Central Railroad Company. Mr. Boyd has had a family of
nine children : Robert, John, Mar}", Elizabeth (deceased, aged nine
years), George (deceased infant), Thomas, Joseph G., William, and
Ellen. John enlisted in the Sith 111. Vols, in the fall of 1862, and
was with his regiment till March 1864, when he was taken sick near
Rome, Georgia. After being in the hospital for a time he died at home
of consumption in the fall of 1864. Robert enlisted in the same regi-
ment when it was organized, and after serving three years came home
and spent the winter of 1864-5. He reenlisted in the spring of 1865,
and was mustered out at the close of the war. Mary, wife of Hugh
Roy, is living in Ogle county; Thomas is living in Wyoming terri-
tory, and Joseph in Kansas. Both are married. Mr. Boyd and his
family are Methodists, and in politics he is a republican. His father,
Robert Boyd, came to I^ew York in 1S45. After living there two
years he came to Ogle county and bought a larm near Grand Detour,
and here he died. He married his second wife about four years before
he left the old country.

Hugh Fitzpatrick, farmer. Van Orin, Bureau county, was born in
the province of Ulster, Ireland, April 1823. He was the eldest of
three children. His parents were James and Mary (McBride) Fitz-
patrick. The former died in 1848, the latter in 1835. His sister Ann
came to New York in 1845 with some neighbors. She was married in
Pennsylvania to John Keefer, who is dead. She is now living in Chi-
cago. The subject of this article landed in New Orleans January 8,
1847. He remained there a few months, and then went to the State
of New York. He was three years there and seven in Pennsylvania
engaged in railroad construction. Most of tliis time he was a foreman.
He next appeared in May township. He first bought eighty acres from
John Dement, on Sec. 19. He now owns the south half of this section.
The east half of his farm he bought in 1875, from C. H. Chandler, an
early settler, who obtained this land from the government. Mr. Fitz-
patrick was married in the fall of 1850 to Ann DeLacy. Of their two
sons, James, born October 1850, is living ; Bernard, born January
1857, died an infant. The only brother of Hugh came to New York
in 1848, and lived there and in Pennsylvania till 1862, when he enlisted
in the 16th N. Y. Heavy Art. He died about three months later at

476 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

or near Bei'inuda Hundred, Virginia, from sickness. Mr. Fitzpat-
rick has held several offices in the town of May. He is a Roman
Catholic, and a greenbacker in politics.

Pateick McMahon, farmer, Ainboy, was born in the county of
Limerick, province of Monster, Ireland, in 1818. His father, Thomas
McMahon, was a farmer, and for many years held a very respectable
position as collector of certain public charges. His wife was Mary
O'Brien, by whom he had three children. He died when they were
young. Patrick McMahon obtained a good common school education.
In July, 1811, he came to Rochester, New York, and worked in a to-
bacco factory till October 1816. He then went to St. Louis, and lived
there till 1819, doing the same work. From St. Louis he went over-
land to California, returning in 1852 byway of Aspinwall. While west
he engaged in raining. In 1853 he came to La Salle, and began a
grocer}^ business. In 1856 he removed to Amboy and continued in the
same till 1866. At this latter date Mr. McMahon bought from A. G.
Moore, of New York, for $2,000, 120 acres of land, the E. | of N.W. I
and the JST. W. J of N.W. ^ Sec. 2, town of May, and began farming.
This farm has been much improved since he came onto it. He was
married while in St. Louis, in 1817, to Ann Chmcey. Of their issue
eight are living : Charles, born November 1818 ; Mary Jane, October
1853; Thomas, March 1855; William, Januarj' 1861; Alice, October
1862; Joseph, November 1866; James, November 1868; Maurice,
October 1870. Charles and Thomas are living in Marshalltown, Iowa,
the former married; and Mary is the wife of William Edwards, Amboy
township. Mr. McMahon is a Roman Catholic. He has assessed the
town of May since 1875, and previously served two terms as commis-
sioner of highways. He is well educated, and possesses good business
qualifications ; to this he adds a manner and bearing singularly pleas-
ing and courteous.

William Cullen, farmer, Amboy, was born in Wexford county,
province of Leinster, Ireland. His parents were Francis and Mary
(Lawlass) Cullen, whose family consisted of six children, all of whom
have come at different times to this country to live. In 1868 two sis-
ters and a brother came to Utica, Oneida county, New York. The
next year the father and William came out to them, and in 1870 the
mother and eldest son came. In 1876 William Cullen came to the
town of May, Lee county, and bought the E. ^ of N.W. ^ Sec. 16. It
was unimproved land, there being a fence only on two sides of it. He
was married in 1855, to Ellen Converse. Their family are: Mary,
Ellen, Delia, Maggie, Johanna, Sarah, and Francis. Kate died about
seven years ago, aged thirteen years. Mr. Cullen is sparing no pains to
educate his family, and seems fully to realize the importance of such a

MAY TOWNSHIP. 477

course. He used to vote the whig ticket, but is now a democrat,
though non-partisan in his views of public matters. The family are
Catholics. The mother and father of William Cullen both died in
May town.

Michael Barron, farmer, Amboy, was born in Ireland about 1825.
He was the youngest but one in a family of nine children. Early in
1865 he came to the city of New York, where he lived about two
years. From there he came to Lee county and worked around in May
and Amboy townships till 1875. He then bought the N. ^ of JST.W. ^
See. 16 from John Cnllen. On this place he is now living. He was
never married, and belongs to the Catholic church. Mr. Barron is a
remarkably good-natured man. His parents were Michael and Mar-
garet (Whalen) Barron.

William Dolan, farmer, Amboy, was born in the county of Long-
ford, Leinster province, Ireland, April 27, 1810. His parents were
Michael and Ellen (Fenny) Dolan, of whose family of six he was the
eldest. His £reat-grandfather's property was confiscated and turned
over to a Scotchman named Fatherston, who allowed the Dolans to
retain the use of twenty acres of the estate as a freehold. William
Dolan received a common school education. In 1828 he was a signer
of the British emancipation bill. In April, 1832, he landed in New
York, having left his native country on a charge of disloyalty that
greater trouble might not befall his father's family. In September he
went to Boston, and thence to Lowell, and bound himself out to learn
wool spinning. While here he was married to Mary McKenna ; he
also obtained his naturalization papers through the agency of Ben But-
ler, then a young legal student in Lowell. In September, 1837, Mr.
Dolan arrived in Chicago with nearly $1,000. He went to laying
stone OD the canal, and taught school in the winter. In 1840 he
came to Lee county and claimed a 160 acres on the E. ^ of Sec. 14,
Maytown. He built on Sandy Hill, Sec. 3, and boarded laborers
on the Old Illinois Central road. In 1846 he rented his farm and
went to work as foreman in a woolen factory at Lockport, under his
previous employer, Mr. Madison, afterward governor of Illinois. In
1850 he returned to his farm, where he has since lived. He has held
the office of justice of the peace for many years ; was supervisor of
May twenty terms. Mr. Dolan is a man of wide information and is
known by many eminent men in the State of Illinois. His family are:
Edward A., born October 1840; John, October 1842; Mary, April 16,
1847 (wife of Mr. McGuire, died April 1875, in May township) ;
Micheal, September 1849; besides two children who died young.
John enlished in Co. F, 75th 111. Inf., as 2d sergeant. In the battle
of Perryville he became greatly fatigued and was mustered out April

478 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

1863, because of physical disability. Edward entered the service in
1862, and was with Gen. Shields till that officer resigned, in 1863.

MARION TOWNSHIP.

In 1854 a petition was presented to the board of supervisors of Lee
count}^ to organize a new township, wdiich at that time composed a part
of Amboy and Hamilton. The petition, to which a large number of
names was attached, was voted upon and carried, and upon the new
township was conferred the historic name of Marion.

The first town meeting was held in April 1855.

The lii'st supervisor was Alford Wulcott ; first assessor Sherman W.
Caldwell ; first justices, Abram Morrison and A. S. Phillips; first town
clerk, Simon Djkman ; first collector, David Morrison.

The first permanent settler in Marion township was David Welty,
who had formerly been a mercliant in Bufialo, ISTew York. Being in
poor health, his physicians advised him to come west, and in 1838 he
came to Lee county and located on Sec. 34, in what was then Ham-
ilton township, and now Marion.

In the same year came W. H. Bhiir, who located on St 34.

In 1841 J. 0. Haly, a native of Pennsylvania, located on Sec. 13.

In 1846 R. Scott, a native of Scotland, settled on Sec. 15.

When the question of voting bonds to the railroad came before the
people of Marion, it was carried in the negative by an almost unan-
imous vote.

In 1876, through the efibrts of Messrs. Conderman, Jones and
McCrystal, a station was located in the central part of the town, which
is now known as Walton. This station is composed of one large eleva-
tor, one store, one blacksmith and wagon shop.

In the early part of January, 1870, one Spangler shot and killed
Timothy Kane. Both were farmers and residents of Marion. The
trouble between them arose from a dispute about some cattle. Kane's
cattle had broken into Spangler's field, and the latter had shut them
up in a lot, where they had been but a short time when Kane came
and demanded their release. High words passed between thevmen, and
Kane finally attempted to drive the cattle out of the lot, whereupon
Spangler seized a gun secreted near at hand and shot and killed him.
Spangler was afterward tried in Dixon, and acquitted on the ground of
self defense.

The soil of Marion township is a sandy loam, and is as productive
as any in the country. The land is mostly level or gently rolling.

The log cabins and board shanties of the early settlers have mostly
disappeared, and in their stead are seen pleasant and tasty dwellings.

MARION TOWNSHIP. 47 H

School buildings are numerous, and the rising generation of the town-
ship have as good educational advantages as could be desired.

The population of Marion is largely Irish, and politically is demo-
cratic.

Geoege Keith, farmer, Dixon, was bora in Aberdeenshire, Scot-
land, May 7, 1818. His parents were George and Mary (Mills) Keith.
Young George came to America and landed in Halifax, May 1841, on
his birthday, which event he inaugurated by getting " how-come-yon-
so," through the machinations of some of the sailors on board. He
worked in Halifax some three years at gardening, and was married to
Miss Ann Eddie April 1844. She was also a native of Scotland, and
died in this towmship in 1875, at about sixty years of age. Mr. Keith
moved to York state from Halifax, then to Michigan, and to Illi-
nois in 1845, working a number of years in the nursery business at
Rockford, when, after losing several thousand dollars by an unscru-
pulous party, he left and finally located in Marion township in the
winter of 1861-2, and after paying his board to Mr. Brooks he had
the magnificent sum of four cents in his pocket with which to support
a wife and eight children. To cap his misfortunes, the second day
after his arrival his children were taken sick with intermittent fever,
lasting several weeks, he having been their attending physician. By
his ministering care he landed them safely from the sick bed to health,
and the}^ are all living and well to-day. By his indomitable energy he
has come out of his misfortunes and now has nnder cultivation a 240-
acre tract. The children are as follows : Mary Ann, George, William,
Margaret, Ellen, Frank, Fred, and Jemima.

Arthur McOrystal, Walton, son of William and Ann McCrystal,
was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1837. In 1842 he came with
his father to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, district of Richmond, and
there received his education. In 1855 he came with his father to Lee
county. His father bought land in ]N".E. ^ of Sec. 22, in Marion town-
ship. Arthur was supervisor two years, and in 1877 was the greenback
candidate for sheriff, and received 890 votes. Mr. McCrystal was mar-
ried in 1868, to Miss Bridget Sheridan, also a native of Ireland. He is
a prosperous farmer and also quite a prominent politician.

Benjamin Brooks, Dixon, son of Asa and Dorcas Brooks, was
born in Tolland county, Connecticut, where he resided until forty-five
years of age. During his residence there he was engaged in farming
and lumbering. In 1840 Mr. Brooks was elected to the legislature
from his district, which position he held for one year. In the spring ■
of 1856 he came to Lee county and bought W. ^ of N.W. ^ of Sec.
9. Since that time he has been a prominent citizen of Marion town-
ship. He served several terras as supervisor, and during the rebellion

480 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

took an active part in raising troops to aid in tlie suppression of the
rebellion, iiesides contributing largely out of his private funds. Mr.
Brooks was married in 1829, to Miss Martha Wilbur, by whom he had
eight children, of which two only are living.

Charles E. Abell, Walton. The subject of this sketch is the
son of Jabez L. and Sarah Abell, and was born in Middlesex county,
Connecticut, in 18Jr9. He resided there until seven years of age, when
he moved with his father's family to De Kalb county, Illinois, and
remained ten years. At the end of that time he came to Marion town-
ship and bought land in Sec. 11. In the fall of 1874 Mr. Abell moved
to the village of Harmon, where he spent three years in teaching school.
In 1877 he returned to Marion township and engaged in the dry-goods
and grocery business at Walton Station, and is also buying grain at
that place. He was married in 1873, to Miss Lvdia A. Rathburn, a
native of Lee county.

James R. Hawkixs, Amboy, son of John R. and Lucretia Hawkins,
was born in Lorain county, Ohio, in ISiO. He remained there until
eight years of age, when he came with his father to Lee county. His
father purcliased land in Sees. 8 and 10, in East Grove township, where
he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1855. On March
?>, 1865, Mr. Hawkins enlisted in Co. E, 7th 111. Cav., and was dis-
charged JSTovember 7 of the same year, and since that time has been
engaged in farming in East Grove township.

Feanklin H. Church, Walton, son of Elisha and Rlioda Church,
was born in Broome county, jN^ew York, in 1825. He resided in his
native county until twenty-nine years of age. In 1854 he came to
Dixon and engaged in a store as clerk, in which position he continued
for eight months, and afterward engaged at various pursuits during his
residence of two years in Dixon. In 1856 he came to Marion town-
ship and bought land in Sec. 2, where he has since that time resided.
Mr. Church was married in 1852, to Miss Hannah Waters, also a native
of Kew York.

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP.

This township is situated in the extreme northwest of Lee county,
being bounded on the west by Whitesides county, on the north by Ogle
county, on the east by Dixon township, and on the south by Rock
river. It embraces tbe southern | of T. 22 N., and the N. W, |- of T.
,21 ]Sr., R. 8 E. of the 4th P. M. Beginning at the northwest corner of
the county the boundary line runs east on the county line between Ogle
and Lee counties, to the line between ranges 8 and 9 east ; and thence
south on said line to its junction with Rock river ; thence down said

John H. Page

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 481

river, southwest to the county line between Whitesides and Lee coun-
ties; thence north on said line to the place of beginning; making the
township six miles wide from west to east, while the irregularity of the
southern boundary on the river, from the northeast to the soutliM^est,
contracts the eastern boundary to four and a half miles, and extends
the western line to near nine miles in length ; embracing an area of
about 4,640 acres.

A topographical description of this township is introduced by one
of her citizens, who dashes off like a laughing school-boy on a cold De-
cember morning, as follows: "Connect not the name with visions of
shady groves of waving palms, with bubbling fountains and breezes
laden with the scent of the myrtle and orange, the lime and the almond \
none such are to be found in the place whose history 1 am recording^
and such visions would soon fade before the furious blasts of our north-
ern winters, with the air filled with snowflakes, and the leafless trees
swaying under fierce assaults of Boreas. No warlike Zenobia leads us
on to victory, but in her stead we follow the milder divinities, Ceres^
Pomona, and Flora. Think not, however, because we can boast of none
of these things in which lie the beauty of ancient Palmyra, the modern
has no charms of her own. These are to be found in her broad, fertile
plains, once covered with a profusion of juicy grasses and flowers of
every brilliant hue, in her stately groves of maple and walnut, of ash
and oak, in the impetuous rush of the crystal Rock river, rolling her
tide to join the Father of Waters, her surface broken with the sportive
gambols of bass and perch, the leaping sturgeon and rushing pike — and
even in the silver thread of Sugar creek, which once could boast of
turning a saw-mill."

The physical geography of the township is not of special interest,
apart from its attractions to the agriculturist who seeks a home on fertile
soil and in a salubrious atmosphere. The face of the country is gently
rolling, and in places presents to the eye the appearance of the swell-
ing and receding of the great waves of the ocean. Along the Pock
river it becomes bluffy, and in places rugged ; but not so grand and
precipitous as on the Ohio river, or the streams of the northwest.

The drainage is good, presenting the land in the most favorable
condition for cultivation, embracing almost every acre of her soil. The
greatest portion of the township is drained by Sugar creek, which
enters on the north, meandering southward to the central portion of
the township, passing through Sugar Grove, then westward emerging
from the township three miles south of the northwest corner of the
county. This stream drains the northern, central, and western portion
of the township, and supplies running water to the many cattle that
graze upon its banks on the beautiful farms through which it Hows.
29

482 IIISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

The eastern and southern portion of the township is drained by Rock
river and small tributaries that mingle their waters with those of that
stream.

Palmyra township was well supplied with timber, maple, sugar and
soft wood, oak of ditierent species, black walnut, ash and poplar. The
southeast quarter of the township bordering on the river is covered with
forest, while Sugar Grove covers three or four sections northwest of
the township. The timber supply in the days of pioneer history of the
country was of much importance; indeed, it w^as a necessity, as there
was no means of access to coal supply as fuel or means of transportation
of lumber but by teams across the prairie from Chicago, as it was con-
veyed for some of the first frame buildings in Dixon. The first settle-
ments were along the borders of the forest groves. This natural
provision in Palmyra induced many of the first emigrants to the
county to settle within her borders in preference to the prairie town-
ships. The soil of Palmyra is adapted to a variety of agricultural
products, wheat, corn, rye, oats, among the staple grains; clover and
timothy grasses furnishing good pasturage and fodder. Grarden prod-
ucts grow luxuriantly and of the finest quality. The geological
deposits of the township are valuable to the mechanics and arts of the
country. The finest l)uilding-stones are found along the river, those
most valued being in the neighborhood of" Hazel wood Farm," formerly
owned by ''Gov." Charters, three miles above Dixon. Besides the
valuable quarries wdiich furnish stone for building purposes and quick-
lime manufacture are found gravel-pits along the river, most valuable
for macadamizing improvements. The attractions of Palmyra are many
to lovers of a rural home. The broad, rolling prairies, shady groves
and running brooks of her interior, and her rounded hills and forest-
covered bluffs along river borders, furnish great attractions for a
country home.

EARLY HISTORY.

In a letter to the "Dixon Sun," afterward published in the "His-
tory of Dixon and Palmyra," the writer says: "The first settlers in
the town of Palmyra were the Morgan family, old Mr. Morgan and his
sons Harvey and Jolui, with whom came Benjamin Stewart. This
was in the spring of 1834, two years after the war with the Sacs and
Foxes. The only white man in this part of the county was Mr. John
Dixon, settled at Dixon's Ferry, Numbers of Indians, principally
Winnebagoes, still remained here, hunting in bands through the country,
having their headquarters at Prophetstown and Freeport. They were,
however, quite peaceable, though occasionally stealing a few potatoes or
some corn. The Morgans and Stewart settled on the south side of
Sugar Grove, and in the autumn of the same year and early in 1835

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 483

several others came in, Wriglit and Toralin, of the present Myers'
farm ; Capt. Oliver Hubbard ; John H. Pao;e and Fellows ; Absalom
Fender with a large family, and W. W. Bethea ; Daniel Obrist and Mr.
Thnmmel, a brother of the C. B. Thiimmel ; Harris; Keplinger;
jSTathan Morehouse ; Sales ; Thomas, with his two sons, Enoch and
Noah, who settled in the southwest corner of the town, in Walnut
Grove; two brothers, Sandy and Elkanah Bush, and Martin Richard-
son. Of all these early settlers there only remain at present, living in
the town, Mrs. Tilton, the widow of Capt. Hubbard, and W. W. Bethea.
E. B. Bush and Tomlin were the first justices of the peace. Bush,
however, never qualified. They were succeeded by Harvey Morgan
and W. W. Bethea. 'Squire Morgan remained for many years the
factotum of the town, serving as justice of the peace, probate justice and
town clerk. The first teaching of the young idea, not how to shoot, for
that was learned readily enough, but of the mysteries of the alphabet,
was given by Mrs. Hubbard, but no regular school was established
until 1838, when a frame building, never finished, was put up. In
order to accommodate the greater number this was built in the center
of Sugar Grove, about a mile and a half from any dwelling. Here for
two winters 'Squire Bethea birched the boys and coaxed the girls.

" E. B. Bush was the first postmaster. I suppose his duties in the
wilderness were not very onerous. He had, however, a deputy by the
name of Kellogg at Buffalo Grove. Martin Richardson told me that
on one occasion Bush was going to settle with his deputy, and, said he,
' As he thought old man Kellogg was kind of ugly and might cut up
rough, he would have me go 'long with him, and said I must carry a
pistol. I never felt so mean in my life. I kept a ranimin' the thing
into my pocket, but it would keep a pokin' out, and I thought everyone
I met would see what I was carrying.' However, old man Kellogg did
not cut up rough, and they had no occasion to use the pistol. This
Richardson was a most favorable specimen of the western pioneer, an
excellent farmer, the best of neighbors, and the most liberal of men, yet
he dearly loved a free fight, where everyone was at liberty to 'go in.'
I remember on one occasion, when he was no longer young, a young
fellow by the name of Heickus commenced blackgnarding him while he
was engaged in pulling a ferry-boat, thinking himself safe, as Richard-'
son was some distance from the shore. The old man jumped into the
river, waded ashore, ran down Heickus, and seizing him by his flowing
hair administered several hearty kicks. Sned before the squire he was
fined $5. ' This,' said Heickus, as he put the money in his pocket,
'will buy my wife a new dress.' 'Yes,' said Richardson, 'and, by
ginger! the next time I tell you 1 will clothe the whole family.'

" Our infant settlement, in spite of an occasional scrimmage, the

484 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY,

greatest cordiality prevailed among the few inhabitants of the town.
Old settlers always look back with fondness to the good old times
when such universal friendly feeling existed. The prairie once broken,
the crops grew almost without labor, as there were so few weeds and
the land so fertile. "What few supplies they needed, or could afford,
such as flour or groceries, were hauled by ox teams from Peoria, and
their own produce brought a high price among the miners in Galena.
Some of the new-comers brought nothing with them but mouths to
feed. Of such was Sales, of Sales' Spring. To buy a bushel of corn
he had to split one hundred rails. Taking his corn home he cut a hole
in a log, over which he fastened a spring pole with an iron wedge in-
serted in the end of it. Working the pole up and down, he mashed
the corn ; then sifting it, the finer portions he used for meal and the
coarser for hominy. He was a great hunter, and as game was very
abundant, the river full of fish and covered with ducks and geese, he
and his family suffered no lack. There was no grist-mill nearer than
Peoria, until Joseph "Wilson, an old Brandywine miller, came to settle
on the Elkhorn creek, when the settlers turned out in a body and put
up a log mill on the Elkliorn a short distance above the present mill.
It was a rough looking structure, but I have never tasted finer flour
than Joe "Wilson made from the splendid winter wheat of those days.
Until flouring-mills were erected in Dixon, however, owing to the dry-
ness of the creeks in summer we were often obliged to go as far as
Aurora, on the Fox river, to get wheat ground.

"Dan. Obrist was droMmed while seining in Elkhorn creek, and was
succeeded by his brother, Abram, who put up a saw-mill on Sugar
creek. This was a great accommodation to the settlers, who could thus
get flooring and do'or and window frames for their log houses, instead of
having to hew them. They could even build frame barns, the first, I
believe, being built and is still standing on the Seavey place, then
owned by Ben Stewart. On these occasions the whole settlement
would be called upon to help raise. There would be lots of hog and
hominy washed down by copious libations of Fred. Dutcher's pure
corn whisky, and the barn would be duly raised and then christened
by breaking a bottle over the purlin plate, Abner Moon or Ruben
Eastwood being generally chosen to perform this ceremony on account
of their stentorian voices."

The first attempt at manufacturing was made by Mr. E. B. Bush,
mentioned above, who built a saw-mill, and also an oil-mill for the
manufacture of castor and linseed oil. To obtain grist for his oil-mill
he induced a number of the neighboring farmers to devote a large
portion of their lands to raising flaxseed and castor-oil beans, promis-
ing them a dollar a bushel for either of these products. This, in those

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 485

days of moneyed scarcity, seemed a sure road to fortune, and we went
at it with a will. The crop was a splendid one, but in the absence of
threshing machines, how to separate the seed from the flax was the
query. We tried tramping it out with horses, as we did the wheat
and oats, but the flax was soon trodden into ropes which entangled the
horses' feet, and we had Anally to abandon it altogether. Nor were
we more successful with the castor beans ; some small quantit}^ was
gathered in baskets, and as they were pleasant to the eye and the
palate, many children required no more castor oil that season. About
the time of harvesting the beans Bush's money gave out, and the bulk
of the crop rotted on the ground. He had taken in as a partner a
young man whose contribution to the joint stock was a colt valued at
thirty dollars and muscle for the hard work. When the business failed
this partner sued him for wages, and the case being referred " to three
men," as was the custom of the day, they awarded him half wages.
This was in 1841, and was, I believe, the first attem])tat manufacturing
in our neighborhood.

"A man bearing the name of Smith was the first blacksmith in the
settlement. He soon left and was followed by James Carley, who for
many years shod the horses, sharpened the ploughs, sighted the rifles,
and did all the thousand and one jobs of tinkering that the people
could not do for themselves. He was a most skillful workman and a
great power in the settlement, for on the approach of winter there
would be such a demand for his services in shoeing horses that turns
would be engaged sometimes a week in advance, and woe betide the
man that did not stand high in his good graces. Carley took his pay
in kind — wheat, corn, pork, etc. — ^and consequently, though burning
his own charcoal, he furnished no iron, and it exercised all his ingenu-
ity to convert the various scraps that were brought to him into the
required shoe, etc. I remember on one occasion his usual blasphemy
found unusual vent at being required to forge a horseshoe out of a
broken monkey-wrench. A curious attachment existed between Carley
and a poor slave of the bottle by the name of Beach. This Beach be-
longed to a highly respectable family in the east, and had received an ex-
cellent business education. He kept Carley's books, which were models
of neatness. He also blew the bellows and fetched the whisky from
Dixon. Old settlers will ever remember this mass of rags and pimples,
his head crowned with a dilapidated old stove-pipe, always filled with
greasy newspapers, which he greedily devoured when he had leisure.

. " By the spring of 1840 the settlement had gained considerable
accession to its members and contained about sixty voters. In addi-
tion to those I have already named, there were four families of Martins,
two of Powers (distinguished as Yankee and Kentuck), two of Law-

486 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

rences, Gi-aham, Law, Baker, Hutton, Gaston, Holly, Coe, Mailer, two
of Johnsons, Parks, Beede, and some others.

" The faihire of the United States Bank had cansed nnmbers of
local banks to spring into existence, which flooded the conntrj' with
their worthless paper, and gave great apparent prosperity to the conn-
try ; bnt by tlie year 1840 all of these, together with the State Bank
of Illinois, had passed ont of existence, and hard times set in. Emi-
gration was checked, and there being no longer any demand nearer
than Chicago for the snrplns prodnce the price of wheat fell from $2
per bnshel to 25 and 30 cents, corn from ft dollar to 10 cents, beef and
pork to 1-| and 2 cents per ponnd, and even these prices were nominal,
wheat being the only article that wonld sell for cash. This was hauled
to Chicago in loads of thirty and forty .bushels, and sold for 63 to
75 cents. The farmer generally took with him his own provisions,
grain for his horses, scythe, axe and auger ; slept undei' his wagon ; and
calculated that the trip, which generally required a week, should cost
him nothing but his time. Some were fortunate enough to secure a
return load from the store-keeper, at the rate of 40 cents per hundred
pounds, for a distance of 116 miles. The ])roceeds of the trip were
carefully hoarded for the land sale. But if profits were small, expenses
w^ere equally small. Few liad a hundred dollars invested in farm ma-
chinery. Beyond the iron in the plowshare, the steel in tlie hoe,
axe, scythe, and blade of the " turkej'-wing cradle," all was of wood,
and generally home-made. Taxes were merely nominal, three com-
missioners, an assessor and collector doing all the business of the county.
1 have an old tax receipt for §1.50 in full on a farm of 420 acres, fairly
stocked for that day.

'•' A man dressed as his fancy dictated, some entirely in buckskin of
their own tanning. The appearance of one figure I shall never forget
as he went about dressed in the remains of what had been a bright-
colored dressing-gown, the gift of a city friend ; on his head a coon-
skin cap, with the tail hanging down between his shoulders ; moccasins,
and a long rifle, with spotted fawnskin pouch.

"But enough of the old days; Palmyra has her full share of the
prosperity of the country which she has aided so largely to develop.
The log houses of the early settlers have given place to numerous
tasty dwellings and commodious barns. The many neatly painted
school-houses show- the regard paid to education. Among them
is a fine brick building, intended as a graded school, jnit up at a
cost of $3,000. On the grounds in front of this stands the monument
erected to the memory of those sons of Palmyra whose blood enriched
the southern battle-fields — sons who Palmyra has always freely given
when her country called for them. In addition to the usual country

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP,

487

shops, Mr. John Lord, a son of one of the early settlers, has bnilt up
from small beginnings an extensive wagon and carriage shop, which
from the excellence of the material and workmanship has attained a
great reputation as well outside as in the town. Mr. Abijah Powers,
a settler of '38, has not only added many fair acres to the original
claim, but he was the first to introduce the fine short-horn cattle into
the countj^, and has now a numerous herd. For many years the farm-
ers were a rich source of plunder to the numerous fire insurance com-
panies, but in 1S65 the Palmyra Fire Insurance Company was originated
by an association of a few farmers. This company, which insures
nothing but farm property and country school buildings, is manageid
by a president, secretary and treasurer and thirteen managers. It
has insurance on §965,175 worth of property. Insures for $3 per
$1,000, with membership fee of $1, The insurance is perpetual and
there is no further demand on the insured except in case of loss by
tire, when a pro rata assessment is laid. How slight this tax is may be
judged from the fact that in the eleven years of its existence the total
assessments have not yet reached one per cent.

" In these western towns, settled by persons from so many foreign
countries and parts of the Union, the eftects of our form of govern-
ment and institutions are seen in the most favorable light. Here the
poor emigrant, finding no bar to the acquisition of property and pur-
suit of happiness, rapidly develops into the well-to-do American citizen.
The Now Englander losing his narrowness, while retaining his thrift
and intelligence, finds here a wider field for their exercise, and the
Southerner, still liberal, acquires industry, economy and education."

Justices of the peace and constables of Palmyra township from
1839:

MAGISTRATES.
1863.

1839. Levi Gaston.

1839. W. W. Bethea. 1863.

1843. Mathias Schick. 1867.

1843. W. W. Bethea. 1867.

1847. Henry A. Coe. 1871.

1847. James M. Johnson. 1871.

1851. W. W. Bethea. 1874.

1851. W. W. Tilton. 1874.

1855. W. W. Bethea. 1877.

1855. Mathias Schick. 1877.

1859. W. W. Bethea. 1881.

1859. Mathias Schlnck. 1881.

W. W. Tilton.
W. W. Bethea.
W. W. Tilton. *
W. W. Bethea.
W. W. Bethea.
W. W. Tilton.
W. W. Tilton.
W. W. Bethea.
W. W. Bethea.
Benjamine Stauff'er.
Benjamine Staufter.
Alfred Beede.

488

HISTOKT OF LEE COUNTY.

1839. E. H. Johnson.

1839. D. P. Cantrall.

1843. Martin Fender.

1843. W. W. Tilton.

1847. James M. Johnson.

1847. W. W. Tilton.

1851. Charles Columbia.

1851. William V. Mason.

1854. Charles A. Martin.

1854. Dana L. Columbia.

1859. No record.

CONSTABLES.

1863.

No record.

1863.

No record.

1867.

No record.

1867.

No record.

1871.

No record.

1871.

No record.

1877.

David W. Stevens.

1877.

Robert J. Dry man.

1881.

Robert J. Drvman.

1881.

David W. Stevens.

PRAIRIEVILLE.

This village is located about seven miles north of west of the city
of Dixon, in the western part of Palmyra township, on the N.W. J
of N.W. I Sec. 5, in T. 21 N., R. 8 E., of the 4th P.M., at the in-
tersection of the Dixon and Sterling road by the Sterling and Polo
road. It was located by Messrs. Abijah Powers, Phillip Schock, Sam-
uel Shaw, and Windthrop Seavey, and surveyed b}^ Milton Santee,
April 10, 1855.

There was located on this site a smith-shop by Mathias Schick as
early as 1843. The present smith-shop is conducted by Furley Broth-
ers. The first store was opened by Elisha Ryder seven or eight years
ago, which was followed in a year or two later by another, opened by
Charles Furley, both of which are still in operation. The village
school-house is a two-story brick structure surrounded by a belfry.
The interior is divided into lour apartments for the accommodation
of the several school departments. It is a beautiful edifice, reflecting
credit upon the intelligence of the community" in which it stands. It
is located in a pleasant, shady lawn. In the front of the school-grounds
stands the soldier monument, erected to the honor of the sons of Pal-
myra who died in the service of their country during the war of the
rebellion, and on which their names are engraved. It is of marble,
and was built at a cost of $800 or §900, which was met by voluntary
subscriptions from the citizens of Palmyra township.

There is a new church edifice, which is occupied alternately b}^ the
Congregational and Lutheran denominations. The first Cono-regational
preaching in the neighborhood was in 1846, by Rev. Amnon Gaston,
brother to Levi Gaston, now i-esiding in Palmyra. Mr. Gaston preached
for the congregation at this place and at the Gap for seven or eight
years, and has since deceased.

The Lutheran church was firat represented in this vicinity by Rev.

PALMYEA TOWNSHIP. 489

C. B. Thuramel, who commenced preaching for the society about 1846,
and continued with the society up to 1877, when he preached his
semi-centennial sermon, retiring from the activii ministry.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

John C. Jacobs. Great events in every career are those that stand
as landmarks to point the route of the traveler as he has made his way
slowly but surely from incipiencj' to manhood's ripest years. There is
no completely written life. But grasping here and there a fact and
adjusting them as a continuous set of lenses, one can look through
them and see the smaller acts, the liner threads of principle that have
made the life what it is or what it has been. In business, as in war,
there are constant promotions of the successful operator, and each pro-
motion is a victory won, for " Peace hath her victories no less than
war," The parents of John C. Jacobs were Corbin and Mary (Rice)
Jacobs, both natives of Fredericktown, Maryland, and of English
descent. Corbin Jacobs was a contractor and builder. He was a
superior workman, having superintended the erection of many build-
ings around Harper's Ferry, handsome residences and large church
edifices. In the early days of Ohio he moved from Maryland and set-
tled near Chillicothe, Ohio, but later returned to his native state, where
he died September 17, 1832, aged forty-four years. He was a very
prominent member of the Episcopal cliurch. He served in the war of
1812. His brothers were John, who died in 1869 near Dayton,
Ohio, his home, and Lenox Compton (a half brother), who died in
1879, also at his home near Dayton. Mrs. Corbin Jacobs was spared
to aid her son, John C, in i-earing the family of six children : Benja-
min L., John C, Oliver C, Maria, Ann Yirginia and William F. She
died November 4, 1844, in Maryland. Benjamin L. became military
director of railroads in the south, and died in 1863. William F. grad-
uated at William and Mary's College, became an Episcopal minister
and died in 1867. Ann V. died in 1877, and Maria died in 1878, leav-
ing as survivors John C, and Oliver C, the latter of whom is now a
thrift}' farmer near Palmyra, Missouri. The ]>rincipal character in this
sketch is John C. Jacobs, whose birth happened November 15, 1819,
near Chillicothe, Ohio. He was three years of age when his parents
returned to Maryland. The death of his father left John at the age of
thirteen years as the chief support of the family ; reverses in building
contracts having proved serious to the fortune of the elder Jacobs.
John immediately applied himself to such labor as came within his
ability. He worked one year on a farm for $15 and clothes, at the end
of which year he received as his savings $2.50, which he expended in
five bushels of potatoes at fifty cents a bushel. He continued his

490 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

labors on tlie farm for a time, and when not farming earned wliat
he could with his ax chopping wood by the cord, or doing other job
work. In 1863 he cared for a team of horses for the Chesaiieake and
Ohio Canal Packet Company till the canal froze, when he resumed his
wood chopping. It was about this time that a circumstance happened
that probably shaped the beginning of a successful cai'eer for young
Jacobs. His Uncle, Lenox Compton, then of Ohio, ottered the lad
160 acres of land and promised to aid him in starting. Friends and
mother advised the boy to accept his uncle's offer, and to start imme-
diately overland and on foot 400 miles to Dayton. The day ap-
proached for his departure from home. He weighed every hope and
doubt. How would his mother and children live without his help,
although meager as it Avas ? How could he get aid to his mother if he
should be successful ? for there were no railroads then. Suddenly he
resolved not to go Ohio but to stay with his mother, brothers and sis-
ters, eai'n what he could and care for them as far as possible, let come
what woul(;l. He made known his resolve to his mother, began his
labors afresh and with renewed determination, April 3, 1S3T, he be-
gan work on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad between Point of Rocks
and Harper's Fei'ry, at eighty-seven and a half cents a day. Flour at
that time was $13 a barrel, so that a month's woi'k barely provided
necessaries. Death (by accident) of a brakeman, November 10 follow-
ing, made a vacancy, and young Jacobs was promoted to the position
with a sliu;ht advance in wao-es. In June followino- the removal of the
train deprived him of this place, and his work was such as supplying
engines with fuel etc. In the fall of 1838 he became lireman on an
engine at §45 per month, when each month seemed a harvest to him.
As times were good or bad his wages were somewhat changed. After
one year's service on the main line he was sent to the Washington
branch between Washington and Baltimore. In the fall of 1842 he
became a locomotive engineer at §2 a day, running also west of
Harper's Ferry to Cumberland hauling iron for construction. After
five years in that position he controlled an engine employed in assist-
ing passenger trains and heavily loaded engines over grades etc. between
Hancock and Harper's Ferry till 1850, his wages having reached $2.25
l^er day. Mr. Jacobs next became supervisor of engines between Bal-
timore atid Cumberland, the company having at that time 207 locomo-
tives. In 1853 he was sent to Kingwood tunnel to hasten the business of
construction of the road and cutting of the tunnel, receiving now $130
per month. He was then kept mostly west of Cumberland, and aided
in the construction of the road at Board Tree tunnel. After the com-
pletion of the road he became train-master and supervisor of engines
on the same road between Piedmont and Wheeling, continuing till

PALYMEA TOWNSHIP, 491

September 1856, when the Illinois Central Railroad Company offered
him his present position. He severed his connection with the Balti-
more & Ohio Company September 30, and starting west arrived at
Amboy, Illinois, October 8, 1856, and assnmed the superintendency of
the north division from Centralia to Dubnqne, including 347 miles of
road. A successful career of nearly a half century from penury to
very comfortable circumstances, a career in which many incidents have
happened that cannot be recoixled here, linds Mr. Jacobs yet able, ap-
parently, for many years' useful labor. A quarter of a century's resi-
dence in Amboy and Lee county has made him many warm friends,
especially among the employes of the Illinois Central railroad. Mr.
Jacobs was married November 4, 1846, to Harriet A. Hough, daughter
of Samuel H. Hough, of Middletown, Connecticut. She was born Janu-
ary 21, 1821. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs are Molly H.,
wlio died September 27, 1868, aged twenty years; John C. (died when
young) ; William F. and Charles C, both of whom have positions on
the road.

One of the earliest as well as one of the most esteemed and dis-
tinguished names which is met with in. the search for biographical data
in Palmj'ra township is that of Page ; and although no direct representa-
tive of the family now resides within the township, yet tlie respect and
confidence which all who bore the name won and merited from their
fellow-townsman will not fade for many a year. John H. Page, now
deceased, was one of several natives of Strafford county, Kew Hamp-
shire, who came to Palmyra at a very early da_y and took up a residence
there. Stephen Fellows and James T., William and Jacob Martin were
also members of this colony, all coming within a year or two of each
other. Mr. Page was born at Rochester, New Hampshire, in 1806, and

was the grandson of Joseph, and the son of David and (Ham)

Page, His mother was descended from a family who located at Bangor,
Maine, at an early period. Mr. Page was brought up and received a
common school education at Sandwich, New Hampshire, and following
in the footsteps of his father, on ari'iving at manhood he became a farmer ;
but being ambitious and energetic, he decided to abandon the sterile
and rocky soil of the Granite State and seek a more fruitful reward of
his labors upon the fertile prairies of Illinois. He reached Lee county
in the fall of 1834 and located upon government land in the township
of Palmjn-a. He built himself a log house, it being the second or
third erected in the town, and engaged in farming, and continued on
the same farm nntil 1868, when he sold out and removed to Menlo,
Iowa, where he died in 1870. Mr. Page was first married at Sand-
wich, New Hampshire, in 1833, to Miss Julia M. Fellows, daughter
of Stephen Fellows, who removed to Lee county at the same time with

492 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

his daughter and son-in-law. Mrs. Page died at Palmyra in 1856, and
in 1858 Mr. Page was again married, to Mrs. Sarah B. (Jenness)Wiggin.
The result of the union of Jolin H. and Julia (Fellows) Page was eight
children, four of whom are still living, three sons and one daughter.
The former, George H., David S. and William B., all reside in Europe,
and the daughter, Julia M., is the widow of the late James W. Harris,
of Lee county. George H., eldest son of John H. Page, was the first
child born in the town of Palmyra, that event occurring on May 16,
1836. He acquired a common school education in his native town and
was then sent to the seminary at Mount Yernon, Iowa, (now known as
Cornell College,) of which his uncle, Samuel Fellows, was one of the
founders and the first principal. Another uncle, Stephen JST. Fellows,
was a teacher in the same institution. After leaving school Mr. Page
engaged in farming for a short time, but soon after the ontbreak of the
rebellion obtained a clerkship in the war department at Washington,
where he remained for three years. In 1866 he went to Switzerland,
and in company with his brothers Charles A. and David S. he embarked
in the business of condensing milk, which M^as the first undertaking of
the kind in Europe, and which has proved an immense success. The
business has grown from almost nothing to a trade of over $3,000,000
per year, and is now carried on by a joint stock company having a
capital of $2,000,000, with six factories in Switzerland and England,
and offices at London and Paris. Geo. II. Page is the general manager
of the company, and his brother David S. is assistant general manager,
both residing at Cham, Switzerland. The youngest brother, William
B., also holds a position under the company. During some years of
his residence in that country Mr. Geo. H. Page held the position of
vice-consul at Zurich, Switzerland. He was married in 1875, to Miss
Adelheid Swerzmann, of Zoug, Switzerland^ and has one son, Fred H.
Page, aged five years. At the time of this writing Mr. Page is in Dixon
visiting relatives and friends and renewing the associations of his youth.
After a few months' sojourn in the United States he intends returning
to Switzerland, bnt with no intention of residing permanently outside
of his native country. It is proper in this connection that mention
should be made of the career of Charles A. Page, the second son of John
H. Page. He was born in Palmyra, May 22, 1838, and his early career
was like that of his brother George. After graduating from Cornell
College, he M-as for a year editor of a newspaper published at Mount
Yernon, Iowa ; he then obtained a clerkship in the fifth auditor's oflice
of the treasury department, Washington, where he remained some
three or four years, when he became attached to the New York
"Tribune" as a correspondent. During the war he accompanied the
army of the Potomac as a field correspondent for the " Tribune," and

^'

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 493

the vivid descriptions and graphic delineations of the marches and bat-
tles, the defeats and triumphs of that heroic army published in the
"Tribune" over the initials "C. A. P." will be well remembered by
the older readers of that paper. He also was one of the party accom-
panying the remains of President Lincoln to their last resting-place at
Springfield. During the summer of 1865 he was appointed consul at
Zurich, Switzerland, and held this office four years, when he became
the manager of the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company's London
office, which company he had been instrumental in forming, and held
that position until his death on May 26, 1873. He was married in
1868, to Miss Grace D. Coues, of Washington, D. C, and his widow
and four surviving children now reside in that city. The career of these
brothers is another illustration of the business energy and pluck which
characterizes the young men of this country. Reared on a farm in what
was then the Far West they struck out courageously, and have suc-
ceeded in establishing by their ability and enterprise an immense
business in theheart of over-crowded Europe, and which not only brings
fortune and reputation to themselves, but is the source from which
hundreds of others derive a comfortable existence.

Fkedekick ]Sr. Pakks, farmer, Palmyra, is a native of the town-
ship, being born there on September 22, 1849, and is a son of Hiram P.
and Martha (Moon) Parks, and both on his father's and mother's side
is related to some of the earliest settlers of the township, both fam-
ilies having located in Palmyra some forty-five years ago. All of Mr.
Parks' life has been spent in Pabnyra, and ever since he was able to be
of assistance on the farm he has followed that calling. For the past
ten years he has been engaged in farming for himself. He was mar-
ried on February 7, 1872, to Miss Maria N. Sheeley, a resident of
Guthrie, Iowa. Last winter Mr. and Mrs. Parks met with a severe
blow in the death of their beloved and only child at the age of four
years. Politically Mr. Parks is a republican.

William Miller, deceased. Palmyra, was a native of Germany, and
was born there in 1801. His parents were Frederick J. and Cecilia Mil-
ler. His youth was passed in his native country, and in 1832 he came
to America and settled at Philadelphia, where he remained until 1841,
when he moved to Lee county, and purchased a farm in Palmyi^a town-
ship, where he died May 1, 1871. He married Miss Anna Obrist, whose
death occurred December 26, 1872. Henry E. Miller, son of the above,
is a native of Palmyra, having been born there on December 22, 1844,
His whole life has been spent in his native town, and on the death of
his father he took charge of the farm, and has since carried it on. He
was married on December 25, 1869, to Miss Margaret Levan, of South
Dixon, and has four children living : Charles M., aged seven ; Martha F.,

494 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

aged live; Edward H., aged three years, and John F., an infant son.
Mr, Miller is a steadfast republican, and a member of the Lutheran
church.

George A. Ttckek, farmer. Palmyra, was born in Otsego county,
New York, on May 7, 1841), and is the sou of Hervey and Catharine
E. (xlrnold) Tucker. His father was a farmer, and died in the State of
New York in the spring of 1865. flis mother is now a resident of
Palmyra. After completing his education Mr. Tucker engaged in
farming in Otsego county, but when twenty-two years of age removed
to Lee county, and settled in Palmyra township, where he has since re"
sided. Mr. Tucker was married in Otsego county in the fall of 1874,
to Miss Mary M. Windsor, a resident of that county, and they have
one child, Hervey, who was born September 13, 1875. Mr. Tucker is
a democrat, is a school director in the township, and a member of the
Episcopal church.

William A. Kintnek, farmer. Palmyra, was born in Wyoming
county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of January, 1843, and is the son of
William and Susanna (Heller) Kintner. His father was a farmer, and
in 1850 removed to Lee county and purchased the farm on which his
son now resides, and there his death took place, in 1857. Mr. Kintner
received a common school education, but the death of his father occur-
ring when he was yet a lad, threw the care and responsibility of con-
ducting the farm upon his shoulders, and he proved himself fully equal
to tlie emergency. He was married first in Januarj^ 1868, to Miss
Lizzie Stuart, a resident of Xelson township, who died shortly after
her marriage. On March 19, 1872, he was again married, to Miss
Fanny Clark, a daughter of George and Ann M. (Tuck) Clark. Mr.
Kintner has one child by his first marriage, James E., aged thirteen
years. By the second marriage there are two children : Georgie, aged
eight, and Nellie, aged six years. In political sentiment Mr. Kintner
is a republican.

Walter L. Hogers, farmer. Palmyra, is a native of Upper Canada,
where he was born in 1815. He is the son of Gilbert and Nancy
(Lock wood) Rogers. His father followed the occupation of a farmer,
but died when the subject of this sketch was but two years old. After
spending his youth and receiving his education in Canada Mr. Rogers
removed to Monroe county, New York, and after residing there for
three years came west and located in Palmyra township, in 1830, and a
few years later purchased the farm on which he now resides. He was
married in 1844, to Miss Hannah Fellows, the daughter of Stephen
and Rachel (McGaifey) Fellows. Mr. Fellows was a native of Strafltord
county, New Hampshire, where he was born November 18, 1786. He
came to Palmyra township in 1834, and kept a tavern for several years

"X,

pal:\iyra township. 495

where the residence of Mrs. R. C. Peck now stands. He was first mar-
ried to Miss Peggy McGaft'ey, in 1808, who died in 1823, and he then
married the sister of his first wife, Miss Pachel McGaffey, who is still
living and is a resident of Iowa. Mr. Fellows was the father of fifteen
children, ten of whom are still living. Mr. Fellows' death occurred
in 1810. The family of Mr. Rogers consists of six children, the eldest
of whom, Lewis G., was born November 20, 1846. tie is a farmer
and resides in Palmyra. Eliza M., born June 27, 1818, is the wife of
Thomas H. Johnson and resides in Colorado; Alice A., .born February
27, 1853, is married to Howard Johnson, a resident of Palmyra;
Mary E., born December 16, 1851, married to James P. Wilson, of
Woosung, Ogle county ; Anna, born July 14, 1856, and Flora A., born
Deceniber 11, 1858, reside at home. Mi-. Rogers is a thorough-going
republican. He has been supervisor of his town and held various
other local offices, and attends the Methodist Episcopal church.

M. D. Hubbard, farmer, Palmyra, was born in Palmyra township,
November 18, 1837, and is the son of Oliver A. and Eliza A. (Martin)
Hubbard, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire. They re-
moved to Illinois in 1836, and located in Palmyra township, where O.
A. Hubbard died a few years later. Mrs. Hubbard is still living and
is the wife of W. W. Tilton, Esq., of Palmyra. M. D. Hubbard was
the third child born in the town. He received his education at the
neighboring schools, and when old enough engaged in farming. On
May 10, 1861, he enlisted in Co. B, 13th 111. Vols., and after serving
some two years w^as honorably discharged on account of disability.
After coming home he resumed farming, and in 1867 purchased the
farm upon which he now resides. Mr. Hubbard was married February
17, 1864, to Miss Blanche Coe, a resident of Palmyra, and they have
four children. Winona, the- eldest, is sixteen years old ; Henry A.,
thirteen ; Bert, eight ; and Ollie, four years. In his political views
Mr. Hubbard is a supporter of the principles and policy of the demo-
cratic part3\

Charles F. Fitrley, farmer, Prairieville, was born in Maryland,
February 14, 1852, and is the son of James and Mary J. (Black) Fur-
ley, both of whom are still living and have been residents of Maryland
for many years, but are expecting soon to take up their abode in Pal-
myra township. His father has been principally engaged in fi^rming
and stock dealing during his business career. Mr. Furley received his
early education in his native state, and while still a boy learned the
trade of chairmaking and general blacksmithing. For a number of
years after serving his time he worked at his trade in various places
both in the east and west, and some seven or eight years ago he
located at Prairieville, in Palmyra township, where he has since resided.

f

496 HISTOEY OF LEE COUJ^TTY.

Besides carrying on a blacksmith shop Mr. Fnrley is engaged in farm-
ing, buys and sells horses, and conducts a general store. Principally
through the exertions of Mr. Furley a post-office was established at
Prairieville, in June 1878, and he was appointed postmaster, which
office he still holds. He was married in Whitesides county, Illinois,
April 21, 1873, to Miss Sarah H. Harvey, a niece of W. W. Bethea,
Esq., well known throughout Lee county as one of the oldest settlers.
One child has resulted from the" marriage, Guy L. Furley, born No-
vember 19, 1874. Mr. Furley is an active and stirring member of the
republican party and is a young man of much ability and enterprise.

Tpieodoke Wilson, farmer, Palmyra, is a native of Blair county,
Pennsylvania, where he was born on May 8, 1847. He is the son of
Franklin and Susannah (Bridenbaugh) Wilson, who moved to Lee
county in 1856, and located in Dixon township, but moved about
three years later to Palmyra township, where his father died in 1870.
Mr. Wilson was brought up and acquired his education in Lee count}',
and when old enough assisted his father in carrying on the farm, and
after the death of the latter he continued farming on his own account.
He was married on August 1, 1871, to Miss Cassie M. Lovell, a native
of the State of New York, and they have one child, Angier W., who
was born January 23, 1880. Mr. Wilson is an earnest and active
democrat, and his ability and devotion to principle command the
respect of his fellow citizens without regard to party. He is a member
of the Presbyterian church.

Martin William Bbaler, farmer, Palmyra, was born in Germany,
in March 1815, and was the son of Jacob and Katrina (Schween) Brau(y.
He was educated in German}', and while a lad shipped upon a merchant
vessel as a sailor and followed the sea for about nine years. In 1840
he emigrated to America, coming directly to Lee county, and after
working for his brother-in-law for the space of a year he engaged in
farming for himself, having owned 'and resided on the same property
for over forty years. Mr. Brauer was married April 16, 1848, to Miss
Helena Harms, in Germany, whither he had gone for that purpose.
They have two children living, the eldest being Anton, who is farming
in Whitesides county, Illinois, and Frank was living at the old home-
stead. Mr. Brauer is a republican in political sentiment, and a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church.

William McGaffey, farmer. Palmyra, is a native of Sandwich,
New Hampshire, where he was born June 24, 1828. The first of the
family to settle in America was a native of Ireland, who participated
in the siege of Londonderry, and was a firm supporter of the Protest-
ant cause. He afterward came to this country and settled near Dover,
New Hampshire. He left two sons, one of whom was the great-

\f

PALMYEA TOWNSHIP. 499

grandfather of Mr. McGaffey. His grandfather Samuel was married
in 1783 to Miss Lydia Sanborn, and they had a family of seven chil-
dren, one of whom, Mrs. Rachel, Fellows,! widow of Stephen N. Fel-
lows, one of the early settlers of Lee county, is still living in Iowa at
the ripe age of eighty-four years. The parents of Mr. Gaffey were
Eliphalet and Aphie (Chase) McGaffey, both of whom lived and died
in the State of New Hampshire. The early years of Mr. McGatfey
were spent upon a farm, and in the fall of 1854 he came to the State
of Ohio, where he taught school during the winter months. In the
spring of 1855 he paid his first visit to Lee county, but soon returned
to the east. In February, 1863, he again came west and purchased a
farm in Palmyra township, on which he has since resided. He was
married May 31, 1862, at Sandwich, to Miss Margaretta F. Davis, a
daughter of Bradford C. and Margaretta (Farrell) Davis. They have
three children: William D., born August 24, 1863; Samuel A., born
December 10, 1866, and Anson, born September 21, 1875.

Simeon T. Martin, farmer. Palmyra, was born in Sandwich, Kew
Hampshire, on May 6, 1813. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Tyler)
Martin. His earl}' youth was spent in assisting his father on the farm.
When about eighteen years of age he removed to Massachusetts, where
he remained for several years engaged in various vocations. In June
1836, having come west, he located in Bureau county, Illinois, pur-
chasing a claim and designing to settle there permanently, but after
having been there for more than a year his claim was jumped, and he
removed to Lee county and purchased a farm in Palmyra township,
and which still forms a portion of his present property, which now
consists of more than three hundred acres of valuable and fertile land,
Mr. Martin was married in 1842, to Miss Catherine Montgomery, a
resident of Palmyra township. They have been sadly afllicted, having
had three children born to them, all of whom they have lost by death.
Mr. Martin is a brother of James T., and also of the late Jacob Mar-
tin, and the brothers were pioneers in the settlement of the township.

Harvey E. Johnson, farmer, Palmyra, was born in Bainbridge, Che-
nango county, New York, on February 11, 1819. His parents were
Seth and Mary (Hough) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Con-
necticut. Until he was twenty-six years of age Mr. Johnson resided in
Chenango county, having acquired his education there, and having as-
sisted his father in carrying on the farm. In 1845, however, he came
west, and purchased a farm in Palmyra township, which he still owns,
and on which he resides. He was married December 31, 1848, to Miss
Mary J. Wheat, a daughter of Josiah Wheat, one of the earliest settlers
of what is now China township. They have four children living, the
eldest being De Forest J., who was born April 13, 1850. He married
30

500 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Miss Emma Bovey on December 24, 1872, and resides in Palmyra
township. Florence R., born October 8, 1851, married to Jacob Baker,
December 25, 1873, and resides in Ogle connty ; Franklin F., born
December 19, 1855, and married to Miss Ida Rand, December 1, 1876 ;
he is a resident of Palmyra township. Addie A., born December 25,
1866, and resides with her parents. Mr. Johnson's political affiliations
are with the republican party, and he is a member of the Baptist church.

CuARLES Lawton, farmer, Palmyra, is a native of Lincolnshire,
England, and was born December 9, 1813. His parents were Edward
and Mary (Roe) Lawton. Mr. Lawton lived in his native land until
his twenty-third year, when he came to America and settled in Wyo-
ming county, Pennsylvania, where he farmed for seventeen years. In
the spring of 1853 he came to Illinois and located near Elgin, but a
year later he removed to Palmyra township, where he has since re-
sided. Mr. Lawton was first married in England, in 1835, to Miss
Sarah Tuck, who died in Palmyra about 1857. Four children survive
from this marriage, only one of whom, Mrs. A. A. Beede, is a resident
of Lee county. On August 22, 1858, Mr. Lawton was again married,
to Mrs. Ann M. (Tuck) Clark, and they have four children living:
Carrie L., born in 1859, is the wife of William F. Swigart, and resides
in Dixon township; Charles H., born April 20, 1861 ; John W., born
December 18, 1862, and Fred A., born August 29, 1865, reside with
their parents. Mr. Lawton is a republican, and a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church.

James P. Goodkich, farmer, Palmyra, was born in the State of
Yermont, on October 14, 1849, and is the son of Samuel and Charlotte
(Perry) Goodrich. His father is a farmer and is now a resident of the
State of New York. Mr. Goodrich received his early education in
Yermont, and when seventeen years of age came to Illinois and lived
for two years in the vicinit}" of Grand Detour, after which he purchased
the farm in Palmyra township on which he now resides. He is largely
engaged in the dairy business, in which line he has met with much
success. Mr. Goodrich was married, May 2, 1872, to Miss C. M. Wil-
liams, daughter of George Williams, Esq., an old resident of Palmyra.
They have only one child, Eddie, aged eight years. Mr. Goodrich is a
stalwart republican and an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal
church.

Charles A. Guyot, farmer. Palmyra, was born in August 1820,
in the island of Guadaloupe, West Indies, and is the son of John F.
and Augustine (Lions) Guyot. His grandfather was an officer in the
Frencli army sent to this country during the revolutionary struggle to
assist the colonies, and served under the Count De Rochambeau. At
the end of the war the regiment to which he belono^ed was sent to

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 501

garrison the island of Gaudaloiipe, and soon after he married there and
engaged in planting. Upon the emancipation of the slaves in the
West India islands the family removed to the United States. Mr.
Guyot landed in New Orleans, but after a few months' residence, hav-
ing become imbued with the gold fever, he determined to go to Cali-
fornia, which he accordingly did in the spring of 1849, and remained
there until 1852, M-hen he returned to Kew York. Soon after he came
to Lee county and located in Palmyra. In 1856 he returned to Guada-
loupe, but sickness in his family compelled his departure in 1861, since
which time he has resided on his farm in Palmyra township. Mr.
Guyot was married February 20, 1854, to Miss Sarah Ann Graham, a
daughter of Capt. Hugh Graham. Tlieir children are Mary B., born
in February 1859; Charles L., born in May 1860; Ermine O., born,
in July 1863; Hugh G., born in October 1865, and George R. E.,
born in November 1869. Mr. Guyot is a member of the republican
party.

S. P. RuTT, farmer. Palmyra, is the son of John W. and Barbara
(Putt) Putt, and was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, January
1, 1845. His parents came west and settled in Lee county in 1864,
and are now residing upon a farm in the county of Whitesides. Mr.
Putt was brought up and educated in Dauphin county, and came with
his parents and located in Palmyra towovship, where he is now engaged
in farming. He was married October 18, 1869, to Miss Catharine
Andrews, a resident of Whitesides county. They have iive children :
Elam, aged eleven ; Edwin, aged nine; Solomon, aged seven ; Maggie,,
aged five ; and Archie, aged two years. In his political views Mr.
Putt is a republican.

Benjamin Staltffee, carpenter, Prairieville, was born in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, in 1819. His parents were John and Barbara
(Eby) StaufFer. His father was a miller and also carried on a farm.
He died in Pennsylvania on December 2, 1871. Mr. Stautfer obtained
a common school education in his native town, and while a boy com-
menced working in his father's mill, and a few years later engaged in
the milling business for himself, which he carreid on until 1852, in
which year he came west and settled in Whitesides county, only a short
distance from the boundaiy line of Lee county, and engaged in farming,
which he continued until 1875, when he removed to Prairieville and
for some time followed the trade of carpenter, but of late years has
been principally working at wagon-making. Mr. Stauifer was mar-
ried Februarj^ 29, 1839, to Miss Catherine Bookwalter, a resident of
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They have nine children living:
Esther, born July 18, 1840, is the wife of B, F. Rohrer and resides in
Whitesides county ; John, born November 10, 1842. He enlisted in

502 HISTORY OF lep: couimty.

18G2, in Co. D, 75tli 111. Yols. and served until the end of the war. He
is a farmer and lives in Kansas. Abraham L., born June 7, 1845, is a
farmer and resides in Nebraska; Henr^-, born July 12, 1847, resides in
Pahiivra township; Barbara A., born January 11, 1852, is married to
Eli R. Ebersole and lives in Whitesides county ; Emma C, born March
27, 1854, is the wife of Henry Ebersole, and also resides in Whitesides
county; Benjamin F.,born January 27, 1857, resides in Nebraska ; Eliza,
born August 11, 1860, and Amos, born March 12, 1S63, are now residing
with their parents. Mr. Stauifer is a republican and has been a justice
of the peace for tlie town of Palmyra since 1877. He is a member of
the Mennonite church.

Hermann S. Fischer, farmer, Palmyra, was born in Hamburg,
Germany, on the 21st of July, 1845, and was the son of Carl and
Bertha (Schroeder) Fischei-. His father is a lawyer by profession, and
is still a resident of Hamburg, where his mother died in 1845. Mr.
Fischer was educated in Germany, having been a student at the Uni-
versity of Bonn-on-the-Rhine, and also that of Halle in Prussia. A
few months after leaving the university he came to America and
located at once in Palmyra township, where he has since resided with
the exception of a few months' absence in Europe. He was married on
September 10, 1878. to Miss Kate Tl)ummel, daughter of the late C. B.
Thummel, of Palmyi-a township. Mr. Fischer is a young man of
excellent education and fine attainments, and is universally esteemed
and respected.

Ellwood Highes, farmer. Palmyra, is a native of Columbia county,
Pennsylvania, where he was born on the 4th of November, 1818. His
parents were Benjamin and Mary S. (Stokes) Hughes. His father for
many years followed the trade of a shoemaker, but engaged in farming
in Columbia county in 1830, and died there in May IStiO, at the age of
seventy. Mr. Hughes received a common school education, and at the
age of seventeen engaged in teaching, which occupation he followed for
several winters, assisting upon the farm during the summer months.
He then engaged in farming on his own account, in Columbia county,
where he continued until 1869, when he removed to Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania. He i-emained there until February 1871, when he
came to Lee county and purchased the farm where he now resides. He
was married at Hughesville, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, on the
16th of January, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Hill. Seven children resulted
from this marriage, five of whom are still living, as follows: Mary C,
born January 20, 1841, and married to James Hill, Esq., who is a resi-
dent of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania; Benjamin F., born April 6, 1844,
now practicing law in Philadelphia ; Charles H., born April 13, 1846,
and a member of the firm of Hughes & Mellick, at Dixon ; Ellwood C,

PALMTRA TOWNSHIP.

503

i|||l!iii!i)ll!l!!!l!l!ll!ll!iflll!!lili:!f^/ ■^^^''r^'i^Mfil'lllliilfiil!

504 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

born August 25, 1855, is a graduate of Carthage College and also of the
Theological Seminary of Springfield, Ohio, and is now practicing law
at Storm Lake, Iowa; Edward A., born March 26, 1857, and is a resi-
dent of Palmyra. The eldest son, John M. Hughes, who was born in
1842, was a captain in the 210th Penn. Vols., and was fatally wounded
on the 31st of March, 1865, at Gravelly Run, Virginia, and died May
6, 18<i5. Mr. Hughes held the positions of deputy marshal and justice
of the peace in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and since his removal
to Palmyra has served two terms as supervisor and is now town clerk.
He is also secretary and treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insur-
ance Company of Palmyra. Mr. Hughes is an ardent republican and
a member of the Lutheran church.

Henry Deckek, fai-mer, Palmyra, was born in New Jersey, in 1835,
and was the son of Elijah and Christina (Kintner) Dicker. Both his
parents are still living, in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania. They
removed to that section in 1837, and there Mr. Decker was raised and
educated. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 143d Penn. reg., and
served for one year and a half, and was then transferred to the signal
corps, where he remained until the close of the war. After leaving the
service Mr. Decker removed to Illinois, and located in Palmyra town-
ship, where he has since resided. He was married September 26, 1867,
to Miss Imogene Bunnell, of Palmyra, and they have four children:
Charles E., aged thirteen; Eddie, aged ten; Nellie, aged seven, and
Bessie, aged four years. In political sentiment Mr. Decker is a
thorough republican and attends the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mks. Diana Warn, Palmyra, was born in the State of New York,
on the 24th of September, 1835. She was the daughter of Alanson
B. and Mary (Benjamin) Campbell. She was brought up and educat-
ed in her native state, and when nineteen years of age came to Lee
county with her parents and lived for some time in Dixon township,
afterward removing into the city, where they remained for about five
years. On the 15th of July. 1860, she was married to Israel P. Warn,
a resident of Palmyra township, where she has since resided. Mr.
Warn died on the 9th of October, 1871, leaving a widov.^ and four
children to mourn his loss. The latter are all daughters, the eldest being
Elizabeth, aged twenty; Ella M., aged eighteen; Lena B., aged thir-
teen, and Gerty S., aged ten years, all of whom reside with their
mother.

John H. McWethy, farmer. Palmyra, was born in Wyoming
count}'. New York, on March 2, 1836, and was the son of Henry and
Olive (Hale) McWethy. His father was a farmer and a resident of the
State of New York until his death, which occnn-ed about twenty years
since. Mr. McWethy after leaving school assisted his father on the

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 505

farm, and when twenty-five years of age came west and located npon a
farm in the township of South Dixon. After remaining there three
years he removed to Pahnyra township and purchased the farm on
which he now resides. He was married in Livingston county, New
York, in December 1860, to Miss Harriet E. Sheldon, a resident of
that county, and they have three children living, the eldest of whom
is Charles E., aged nineteen ; George P., aged seventeen, and Willie
C, aged nine years. Politically Mr. McWethy is a republican, and a
member of the Presbj'terian church.

David A. Holly, deceased, for many years engaged in farming in
Lee county, was born in Paradise township, York county, Pennsylva-
nia, in 1804. His parents were Jesse and Anna (Sherer) Holly. Mr.
Holly removed, when a young man, to Ohio and engaged in farming
there until 1835, at which time he removed to Franklin Grove, in Lee
county, where he remained for ten years. He then came to Palmyra
and purchased 720 acres of land in that township, of Smith Gilbraith,
a considerable portion of which he retained and continued to reside
upon until his death, in June 1875. He was married in Knox county,
Ohio, January 1, 1830, to Miss Eva Hoke, who survives him. There
are also seven children living, the eldest of whom is William D. F.
Holly, born in Belleville, Richland county, Ohio, September 1, 1834,
and now a resident of Iowa ; Amos H. Holly, born in Lee county,
April 9, 1836, now living in California; Cornelia A. Holly, born in
Lee county on the 12th of February 1840, and married to Frank Bid-
die, also residing in Iowa; David C. Holly, born in Lee county, Janu-
ary 1, 1843, who intends to remove to Iowa within a short time;
George W. Holly, born in April 1845, and James F, Holly, born in
June 1851, have also resided in Iowa several years ; Emily Holly, born
in Lee county in August 1849, and married to Orville Fort, lives in
Iowa.

Eben H. Johnson, farmer. Palmyra, one of the oldest settlers of
the township, was born in Chenango county, New York, July 3, 1810,
and was the son of Seth and Mary (Hough) Johnson. His father was
engaged in farming and died in Chenango county. Mr. Johnson re-
sided in his native county until he was twenty-eight years of age, but
in the fall of 1838, having just been married, he started for Illinois,
conveying his wife and household goods in wagons and occupying five
weeks in the journey. Lie located in Palmyra township, buying a
squatter's claim for $1,000 in addition to the government price of $1
per acre. He soon after purchased another claim, paying $10 per acre
for it. He has been a continuous resident of the township from the
time of his arrival. Mr. Johnson was married August 13, 1838, to
Miss Sarah Johnson, a resident of Broome county, New York, and the

506 • HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

result of this union has been seven children, live of whom are still
living, as follows : Thomas H., born in Lee count}^ May 23, 1839, now
residing in Colorado and a member of the legislature of that state;
Jane A., born in Lee county December 5, 1844, residing with her
parents; Ralph E., born January 22, 1846, residing in Palmyra; Will-
iam H., born August 27, 1851, residing in Palmyra; Marcus M.,
born August 15, 1855, also residing in Palmyra; Mary J,, born
March 20, 1841, married William Swigart, of Palmyra, and died June
3, 1875 ; Theodore, born May 27, 1848, was murdered in Nebraska,
in August 1870. Mr. Johnson has always been an active and earnest
republican since the formation of that party ; has held the office of
supervisor and several other local positions; and he and his wife, who
has been for nearly half a century his faithful companion and friend,
are enjoj'ing in a serene old age the esteem and affection of their
many neighbors and friends. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Charles A. Martin, farmer. Palmyra, was boi'n in Sandwich,
New Hampshire, August 11, 1830, and was the son of William and
Elizabeth (Hill) Martin. His father was a farmer and removed to Pal
mj^ra township in 1836 and engaged in farming upon the land which
his son now occupies, where he died in 1844. Mr. Martin was brought
up and educated in Palmyra township, and when he grew to manhood
he engaged in farming, which he still continues. He was married in
October 1852, to Miss Anna Tilton, daughter of Lorenzo and Ruth
(Brown) Tilton, and they have six children living: William M., aged
twenty-eight, residing in Nebraska; Edward E., aged twenty-six, also'
living in Nebraska; George C, aged twenty-four; Fannie R., aged
twent3^-one ; Adelaide, aged seventeen; and Winifred, aged eight, all
of whom reside at home. Mr. Martin is a republican in political sen-
timent and attends the Congregational church.

Amos Goodwin, farmei'. Palmyra, was born in Oswego county,
New York, August 29, 1827, and was the son of Benjamin C. and
Rosanna (Shoemaker) Goodwin. His parents removed to Bradford
county, Pennsylvania, when he was about four years of age, and fol-
lowed the occupation of a farmer until the fall of 1852, at which time
the family moved to Lee county, Illinois, and purchased a farm in the
vicinity of Dixon, but resided in the town for a number of years. In
1873 Mr. Goodwin removed to Grand Detour and remained there about
four years, after which he purchased a farm in Palmyra township, upon
which he still resides. Mr. Goodwin was first married in the fall of
1861, to Miss Susan G. Dixon, a granddaughter of Father Dixon.
She died September 15, 1878, leaving two children: James P. Good-
win, born February 18, 1863, and Isaac B. Goodwin, born September

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. ' 507

13, 1865. He was again married in JSTovember 1879, to Mrs. Mary C.
Huston, of Dixon, and they have one child, Mary, aged one j-ear. Mr.
Goodwin is a republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church.

Jacob Martin, deceased, Palmyra, was born in Sandwich, New
Hampshire, December 29, 1806. His parents were Jacob and Mary
(Tyler) Martin. He was brought up and educated and carried on a farm
near Sandwich until 1836, when he moved to Lee county and settled
on the farm in Palmyra township which he occupied at the time of
his death, which occurred quite suddenly on Monday, August 29, 1881,
in his seventy-fifth year. Mr. Martin was one of the earliest settlers
of Palmyra, and his death makes still another gap in the fast thinning
ranks of those brave and hardy pioneers who have made this fertile
and beautiful section to "blossom like the rose," but who are rapidly
passing away, and all of whom will soon, in the course of nature, be
numbered with the dead, leaving behind them, however, many affec-
tionate remembrances and fragrant memories. He was first married
April 26, 1814, to Miss Margaret Curtis. As the result of this union
there are three children living: Helen, aged twenty-nine, and Howard,
aged twenty-seven, residing at the old homestead, and Josephine, aged
twenty-eight, who is married to Thomas Morgan, and now resides in
Missouri, The second marriage of Mr. Martin occurred May 5, 1856,
when he was united to Miss Belle Drynan, who survives him, and by
whom he had six children : Lillian, aged twenty-four; Emretta, aged
twenty-two ; Lizzie, aged eighteen ; Franklin P., aged sixteen ; Charles
L., aged eleven, and Tyler E., aged six ; all of whom reside at home.

Matthias Schick, farmer. Palmyra, was born in Bavaria, Germany,
on November 9, 1813, and was the son of John and Sal ma (Prout)
Schick. He was educated in Germany, where he also learned the
blacksmith's trade. When he was eighteen j^ears of age he came to
America and worked at his trade for several years in Berks county,
Pennsylvania. From there he went to Philadelphia, where he re-
mained until 1842, when he moved to Palmyra township and settled
on the farm which he at present occupies. Mr. Schick was married at
Philadelphia on July 10, to Miss Elizabeth Obrist, who died April 18,
1875. Seven children were the result of this union, of whom five
survive: Matthias A., aged forty-one; Charles P., aged thirty,
and George "W., aged twenty-seven, all of whom reside in Whitesides
county, Illinois; Anna E., aged thirty-nine, married to J. J. Burger,
and a resident of Palmyra township; William H., aged 24, and resides
in Chicago. Emanuel, born in Lee county, October 26, 1845, enlisted
in the 34th reg. 111. Yols. on February 28, 1864, and died at Vining
Station, Georgia, August 7, 1864, from disease contracted in the service.

508 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Theodore L. was born in Lee county, May 20, 1849. He graduated
from the law department of Ann Arbor University in the class of 1871,
after which he n^oved to Brownsville, Nebraska, and engaged in the
practice of his profession. In the fall of 1880 he was elected a mem-
ber of the legislature of his state, and died of fever on August 9, 1881,
after a lingering illness. He was a young man of much promise, and
had just started on a career which gave every indication of being pros-
pei'ous and honorable. On August 20, 1877, Mr. Schick was united
in marriage to Mrs. Rachel Hotchkiss. In political sentiment Mr.
Schick is a thorough republican, and is a member of the Evangelical
Lutheran church.

John L. Lord, manufacturer and farmer, Palmyra, was born
at Hopkinton, New Hampshire, June 10, and is the son of John
and Achseh (Carj^) Lord. His father was a blacksmith, and removed
to Lee county in 1838, where he died February 7, 187-1. Mr.
Lord came to the State of Illinois with his^parents, and received his
education at the schools of Dixon and vicinity. His father at lirst set-
tled in Dixon in 1838, and followed his trade there, but three years
later he reftioved to Palmyra and engaged in the manufacture of
wagons and carriages. After leaving school Mr. Lord learned the
blacksmith's trade and worked for his father until 1850, at which time
he purchased the property, and has since carried on the business with
much success. He has also been engaged in farming for many years, com-
mencing with seven acres of land, which he has now increased to about
250. Mr. Lord was married June 17, 1851, to Miss Mary L. Warriner,
a daughter of Moses M. and Oriel (Smith) Warriner, who also settled
in Lee county in 1838. They have six surviving children, the eldest
being Augustus W., born March 3, 1852, and now residing in Iowa ;
Paul G., born December 31, 1853 ; John P., born April 17, 1860 ;
Mary E., born December 18, 1863; Fredrick, born February 12, 1869;
Grace, born September 26, 1872, all of wliom reside at home. In his
political views Mr. Lord is strongly republican, and has twice been
elected to the office of supervisor.

Charles A. Becker, deceased, Palmyra, was born in Prussia in
1810. He was educated in that country and also learned the watch-
making trade, but when twenty j^ears of age came to America to avoid
serving in the Prussian army. After working at his trade in various
cities for a number of years he finally located at Dixon in 1839, where
he remained for several years. Having purchased a farm in Palmyra
township he gave up business and engaged in farming, which he con-
tinued until his death in 1859. Mr. Becker was married at Reading,
Pennsylvania, on the 2d of December 1833, to Miss Mary Kessler, who
still survives him. Twelve childi'en resulted from the marriage, eight

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 509

of whom are stilj living. Mary B., born August 28, 1834, is the wife
of James L. McGinnis, of Palmyra; Sarah, born May 7, 1839, is mar-
ried to William Bryner, and resides in Pennsylvania ; Julia, born May
10, is married to C. A. Kaufman, and resides in Nebraska ; Cecilia,
born October 10, 1844, is married to Patrick Hall, and also resides in
Nebraska; Francis, born November 19, 1846; Fanny, born April 4,
1851 ; Paulina, born November 1, 1853, and Lizzie, born August 21,
1856, reside at the old homestead at Palmyra. Charles, who is the
eldest son, and who was born September 20, 1837, enlisted in 1861
in the 13th 111. Yols., and was mortally wounded at Yicksburg on
the 28th of December 186^, and died January 8, 1863.

"William Myees, farmer. Palmyra, was born in Ohio, September 9,
1809, and is the son of John and Nancy (Hopkins) Myers. When he
was eight years of age his father removed to Philadelphia and remained
there about nine years, after which they located near Cincinnati, and
lived there for three years. They then came to Illinois, and settled
near Pekin, Tazewell county, in 1830, and in 1836 came to Lee county
and engaged in farming in Palmyra township. At the time of the
Black Hawk war Mr. Myers enlisted as a volunteer under Col. Strain, of
Marshall county, and served until the close of the war. With this
exception Mr. Myers has been continuously engaged in farming ever
since he grew to manhood. Mr. Myers was married in 1826, to Miss
Phebe Hull, daughter of Capt, Hull, of Buffalo Grove, who died October
25, 1873. Eight children resulted from this union, three sons and five
daughters. Two sons and two daughters are residents of Iowa, two
more daughters live in Nebraska, and the remaining daughter resides at
Buffalo Grove, Ogle county, Illinois. The third son, Andrew Jackson
Myers, now lives upon the old homestead. He is a native of Palmyra
township, having been born there March 11, 1842, and acquired his
education at the neighboring schools. When arrived at maturity he
engaged in farming, and has continued to follow that occupation up to
the present time. He was married December 25, 1865, to Miss Julia
Kintner, daughter of the late William Kintner, of Palmyra, and they
have three children living : Minnie, aged fourteen ; Phebe, aged eleven,
and Hattie, aged five years. Mr. Myers' political proclivities are with
the democratic party.

Edwin B. Chase, farmer, Palmyra, was born in Columbia county,
New York, November 26, 1810, and is the son of Benjamin and Phebe
(Barnard) Chase. His father was a farmer and a native of Massa-
chusetts, and died in the fall of 1871. When Mr. Chase was seven
years of age his parents removed to western New York, where his
father purchased a farm, and here Mr. Chase was brought up and
acquired his education. When grown to manhood he engaged in

510 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

farming, and followed this vocation until 1856, when he removed to
Palmyra township, Lee county, where he purchased a farm, and with
the exception of some three or four years has since continued to reside.
Mr. Chase was married in "Wayne county. New York, in 1833, to Miss
Elizabeth Rushmore, a native of Westchester county, New York. They
have five children living, the eldest of whom, Reuben B., was born in
1836, and has resided in California since 1860; Adeline S., born in
1839, was married in 1861, to H. C. Peek, now sheriif of Ogle county ;
William D., born in 1815, resides in Palmyra and is by pi'ofession a
teacher ; Edwin B., jr., born in 1855, is a resident of Seward, Nebraska ;
John P., born in 1S5!», resides with his parents. The second son of
Mr. Chase, Arthur W., born in 1812, enlisted in August, 1862, in the
92d 111. Yols., and during his term of service contracted a lung com-
plaint, which finally terminated in his death June 5, 1879. Mr. Chase
has been an active member of the republican party from the time of its
organization.

George L. Klostermann, farmer. Palmyra, is a native of Germany,
where he was born March 29, 1815. He is the son of Ernest H. and
Alma Klostermann, both of whom are still living in Palmyra. They
came to America when Mr. Klostermann was but a few months old,
and coming directly to Lee countj^ f'^^y located near Prairieville, and
have ever since resided in that vicinity. For the past fourteen years
Mr, Klostermann has been engaged in farming on his own account, and
now owns a fine property near the line of Whitesides county. He was
married March 12, 1869, to Miss Rebecca C. Lamken, a resident of Pal-
myra, and the}' have four children living : Ernest H., aged eleven ;
Julia F., aged nine; Eddie G., aged four, and Herbert, aged nearly
two years. Mr. Klostermann is a republican, and a member of the
Lutheran church.

Geor<;e Ric'Kert, farmer, Palm^n'a, was born in Dutchess county,
New York, on July 20, 1822. He is the son of John and Elizabeth
(Plattner) Rickert. Both of his parents were born, lived and died in the
State of New York. Mr. Rickert in his early youth removed to Dela-
ware county. New York, and when old enough engaged in i'arming,
which he continued until 1852, when he went to Ulster county. New
York, and followed steamboating for about a year, after which he returned
to Delaware county. In 1855 he came west, and settled in Palmyra
township, where he resided for eight years, with the exception of a few
months spent in Colorado. In 1863 he removed to Whitesides county,
but in 1871 returned to Lee county, and has since resided on his farm
in the town of Palmyra. Mr. Rickert was married in the State of
New York on January 1, 1814, to Miss Phebe Bennett, a resident of
Greene county, that state, and they have two children : Ennna, born in

PAOIYIIA TOWNSHIP. 511

1851, and the ".'ife of F. F. Klosterraann, of Palmyra township, and
Mathias, born in 1853, and now a resident of Iowa. In his political
views Mr. Rickert is in full accord with the republican party, and he
and his family are members of the Lutheran church.

John F. Stager, farmer, Palmyra, was born in the State of Penn-
sylvania, on July 21, 1832, and is the son of John and Sarah (Fensler)
Stager. His father is a farmer, and still lives in Pennsylvania, and fol-
lows that occupation. His mother died about a year since. Mr. Sta-
ger was nineteen years of age when he left his native state, and having
learned the trade of a carpenter he came to Stephenson county, Illinois,
and for the next live years worked at his trade most of the time in that
county. About 1856 he came to Dixon, and about a year later settled
in Palmyra, and since that time has built most of the first-class build-
ings erected in the township. For the past seventeen years he has
also been engaged in farming, and for the past few years has followed
that pursuit exclusively. He was married on December 27, 1859, to
Miss Harriet A. Seavey, the daughter of Jesse and Sarah J. (Norris)
Seavey. Mr. Stager has three children : Lillian G., born February 5,
1862; John G., born September 16, 1868, and Lloyd, born March 28,
1880. Politically Mr. Stager is a member of the republican party.

John T. Lawkence, farmer, Palmyra, is a native of the island of
Jamaica, West Indies, where he was born September 25, 1819, his
parents being John T. and Julia (Ricketts) Lawrence. The Urst of the
family to settle in America was Sir Llenry Lawrence, who was presi-
dent of Cromwell's council. After the death of the latter and the
restoration of the Stuarts he came to this country and settled on Long
Island. Some years later he removed to Jamaica and engaged in
planting, but died soon after. Mr. Lawrence's father in his early life
was an officer in the English navy, but on the death of his elder
brother he succeeded to the estates in the West Indies. Upon the
abolition of slavery in the British colonies he removed to the LTnited
States and died in the city of New York in 1847, leaving live children,
three of whom are still living : James P. Lawrence, of New York city ;
Mrs. General Ricketts, of Washington, D.C., and the subject of our
sketch. The latter was educated at Columbia College grammar school,
and also passed one year at West Point military academy. After leav-
ing school he engaged in civil engineering for a short time, but in 1839
he came west and located upon the same farm where he now resides
and where he has lived continuously for moi'e than forty years. He
was marred in 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Graham, a daughter of Capt.
Hugh Graham, a very early settler. This union has rusulted in six
children, all of whom are living: Julia, the eldest, is the wifeof Harry
Eldred and resides at Beardstown, Illinois; John T., jr., Elizabeth,

512 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Lilias, Mary and Fanny are all residing with their parents. Mr.
Lawrence is a democrat and a member of the Episcopal church.

Rev. Chkistian B. TiirMMEL, D.D. (deceased), Palmyra, was born
in German}^ in 1802, and after attending preliminary schools he
entered the University of Halle in Prussia, in 1820, afterward gradu-
ating from the University of Tubingen in Wurtemburg. He was
licensed to preach the gospel in the spring of 1824, and ordained in
1826, soon after which he came to America. For about a year he was
employed as a missionary, and in 1827 he was chosen professor of
languages in Hartwick Seminary, which position he occupied until
1838, when he accepted a professorship in the Lutheran seminary at
Lexington, South Carolina. In 1845 he removed to Prairieville,
Illinois, where he resided until his death, which occurred May 24, 1881.
For fifteen years before his death he held the position of secretary' and
treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Palmyra,
and was universally esteemed and respected by all with whom he
came in contact. Mr. Thummel was married May 17, 1837, in New
York, to Miss Cathrine Lattin, who is still a resident of Palmyra.
They had five children : Anson E., residing in Palmyra; Charles, re-
siding in Kansas; George, practicing law in Nebraska; Warren, also
a lawyer in Iowa; and Cathrine, married to H. S. Fischer and living
in Palmyi-a.

Anson E. Thummel, eldest son of the above, was born in Lexing-
ton, South Carolina, September 22, 1841, but removed with his
parents when very young to Prairieville, Lee county, where he was
brought up and educated. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the 34th
111. Yols., and served with them for more than four years. He returned
home in 1865 and soon after went to Iowa, where he engaged in farm-
ing, but in about three years he returned to Palmyra township, where
he has since been pursuing the same vocation. He was married
December 25, 1868, to Miss Helen C. Powers, a daughter of Hon.
Abijah Powers, of Palmyra. They have had six children, four of
whom survive, the eldest being Laura, aged twelve years; then Bertha,
aged ten ; Blanche, aged eight, and Lloyd, aged two years. Mr. Thum-
mel is a republican and a member of the Lutheran church.

Alfred A. Beede, farmer, Palmyra, was born in Carroll county,
New Hampshire, in July 1834, and is the son of Noah and Harriet
— (Fellows) Beede. His father was a native of New Hampshire, and in
his youth learned the trade of a shoemaker. He moved to Lee county
in 1836 and settled in Palmyra township, and combined the occupations
of farming and shoemaking until his death in February 1854. He
married Harriet, daughter of Stephen N. Fellows, in Carroll county.
New Hampshire, in 1827. She is still living and resides with her son

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 518

in Palmjra. The latter was only two years of age at the time of his
parents' removal to the west, and received his education in the neigh-
boring schools, and when old enough engaged in farming, which pur-
suit he still follows. Mr. Beede was married in October 1870, to Mrs.
Elizabeth (Lawton) Diblenbeck, a resident of Palmyra, and they have
a family of six children : Bertie, aged fourteen ; Hattie, aged t^^n ;
Edward A., aged eiglit ; Frank A., aged six; Charles, aged four, and
Mary, aged two years. Mr. Beede is, and always has been, an earnest
supporter of the republican party and its policy.

Fletcher Hutton, deceased. Palmyra, was born August 10, 1820,
in Columbia county, Pennsylvania. His parents were William and
Elizabeth (Bowman) Hutton. His father was a fai-mer, and moved to
Illinois in 1838, and died in Whitesides county. Mr. Hutton acquired
a common school education in the east, and after coming to Illinois
commenced operations for himself by cutting wood and breaking
prairie, and as his small savings accumulated he invested them in land.
He finally settled upon a farm in Carroll county, Illinois, where he
resided for about twenty years. He then moved to Lee county and
bought a farm in Palmyra township, where he resided until his death
on May 20, 1879. Mr. Hutton was married in 1866, to Mrs. Sarah J.
(Drynan) Hutton, the widow of his younger brother Maurice Hutton,
who was born in Pennsylvania in 1831, and who enlisted in the 21th
Iowa Vols, in 1862 ; was taken prisoner at the battle of Cedar Creek
in October 1863 ; was confined at Andersonville and other rebel prisons
for nearly two years, and finally died, in March 1865, from exposure
and starvation. He left two children : Ernest L., born in 1859, and
Bert M., born in 1854. Fletcher Hutton left the following children :
Alice A., aged fourteen ; William D., aged twelve ; Earl F,, aged ten ;
Leon E., aged eight; Walter C. aged six; and Lulu M., aged three
years. Mrs. Hutton still resides in Palmyra, and manages her large
farm besides looking after the physical and moral well-being of her
children.

David G. Book, farmer, Palmyra, was born in Lancaster county,
Pennsj'lvania, in March 1832, and is the son of John and Anna (Geist)
Book. His mother died in the spring of the present year, but his
father is still living and is a resident of Pennsylvania. He was brought
up and educated in his native county, and when twenty-two years of
age became west and settled near Sterling, in Whitesides county, where
he remained until about 1870, when he purchased his present farm, on
which he has since resided. Mr. Book was married October 27, 1856,
to Miss Mary A. Weaver, a resident of Whitesides county. They have
nine children living, the eldest of whom is Aaron, born August 7, 1859 ;
Leander, born May 13, 1861 ; Ann E., born December 6, 1862 ; Frank-

514 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

lin, born March 4, 1S(;4 ; Henry, born April 26, 1867; Mary A., born
March 2, 1869; Edward, born November 15, 1873; Ida M., born
August 17, 1875, and David G., born February 24, 1877. Mr. Book is
a republican in political views.

Anton BTarinis (deceased), Pahn^a-a, born in Oldenburg, Germany, in
1800, was the son of Frank and Helena (Strengan) Harms. He came to
America in 1848, and settled in Palmyra township, Lee county, on the
same farm on which his family now resides. He was first married in
Germany, to Miss Anna H. Wieting, who died in 1848. Three chil-
dren survive this marriage, none of whom now reside in Lee county.
He was again married in the fall of 1851, to Miss Anna Hector, who is
still living. This union resulted in a farail}^ of three boys and two
girls : George A., aged twenty-nine, resides with his mother on the old
homestead ; Anton W., aged twenty-seven, is married and lives in Pal-
myra township, and is a farmer ; Theresa S., aged twenty-five, is married
to Fred Jurgens, and is a resident of Sterling, Illinois; Augusta C,
aged twenty-three, and Herman F., aged twenty-one, reside with their
mother.

Ralph E. Johnson, farmer, Palmyra, was born in Palmyra town-
ship on January 22, 1847, and is the son of Eben H. and Sarah (John-
son) Johnson, of Palmj-ra. Mr. Johnson's whole life has been spent
and his education received in his native town, and for a good many
3^ears he was engaged in farming, having a joint interest with his father
and brothers, but about a year ago came into possession of the farm on
which he now resides, and has since then farmed on his own account,
Mr. Johnson was married March 10, 1875, to Miss Abbie Knox, and
they have two children : Anna, born May 25, 1876, and Pena, born
December 31, 1878. In his party afifiliations Mr. Johnson has been a
steadfast republican.

Henry Miller, farmer, Palmyra, was born in the Province of Old-
enbui'g, Germany, November 13, 1822, and is the son of Pope E. and
Theda (Remmers) Miller. His father during his youth was engaged in
milling, but after his marriage became a farmer, and in 1837 came to
America and settled in Cass county, Illinois, where he died a few
months later, leaving a widow and five sons, Sibald, Emke D., Anthony
F., Becker and Henry, all of whom survive, with the exception of Mrs.
Miller, who returned to Germany in 1850, and died there in 1859, and
Emke D., who died of consumption in the fall of 1848. The eldest
son, Sibald, returned to Germany, and is still living, and xlnthony and
Becker are residents of Whitesides county, Illinois. In 1838, soon after
the death of the husband and father, the family removed to Palmyra
township, Lee county, and settled on the property which is now solely
owned and occupied by Henry Miller, and which he has farmed for

*^v

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 515

forty-three years. Mr. Miller was married on September 29, 1850, to
Miss Fredrika A. Klostermann, of Palmyra, and there are nine chil-
dren living, of whom the eldest is Charles E., aged thirty, who resides
at Detroit, Michigan, and is an attorney-at-law ; Mary E., aged twenty-
eight, wife of Warren F. Powers, and residing in Whitesides county ;
Rena H., aged twenty-six, and wife of Mathias Rikert, now of Pal-
myra, but soon to remove to Iowa ; Lucy, aged twenty-four, married to
Henry Leniken, and residing in Grundy county, Iowa; Nellie G., aged
seventeen, is engaged in teaching school in Iowa; Alma, aged twenty-
one ; Frank S., aged nineteen ; Kate, aged fifteen, and Minnie, aged
thirteen, reside with their parents. Mr. Miller is a republican, and is
a member of the Lutheran church.

Becker Miller, brother of the above, and now residing near the
boundary line of Lee and Whitesides counties, was born in Oldenburg,
Germany, on April 6, 1820, and his history up to the time of their
residence in Lee county is comprised in that of his brother Henry. He
sold his interest in the farm in Palmyra township to the latter in 1854,
and removed just across the line of Lee county into Whitesides, where
he has since resided, largely engaged in farming. He was married on
September 19, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth M. Thummel, a daughter of
Rev. C. B. Thummel, of Palmyra. They have six children: Emma
C., born August 12, 1855, and married in December, 1876, to Henry
Montillon, a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Adeline E., born
January 26, 1857; Ella M., born May 18,1860; George W., born
April 2, 1862; Frederick L., born September 15, 1864, and Jessie L.,
born September 14, 1872, all of whom reside with their parents.

Abram R. Rutt, farmer, Palmyra, was born in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, August 17, 1853, and is the son of Samnel W. and
Maggie (Rutt) Rutt, and the grandson of Samuel Rutt, an old
settler of Lancaster county. His father was born there in 1822, and
after receiving his education engaged in farming in his native county,
and continued there until 185-, when he removed to Franklin county,
in the same state. He removed to Lee county and located in Palmyra
township early in 1865. His property in Pennsylvania was valuable
and well improved, but he had endured many losses during the civil
war from the incursions of both the Union and confederate armies, and
at the time of the burning of Charaborsburg by the rebels he resided
within two miles of that town and suffered greatly from their depreda-
tions. He accordingly sold his property considerably below its value and
moved west. In 1879 he returned to Sterling, Whitesides county, and
is now engaged in the ice business there in company with two of his
sons, Levi and Henry. Abram R. came west with his parents in 1865,
and when old enough engaged in farming in Palmyra township, where
31

516 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

he still resides. He was married on the 16th of December 1874, to
Miss Maria Landis, a resident of Whitesides county, and the}' have two
children : Clarence, born September 23, 1876, and Anna, born March
6 1S78. Mr. Rutt is, and always has been, a thorough republican.

EicHAKD C. Peck (deceased), Palmyra, was born in Bethany, Genesee
county, New York, in 1821. and was the son of Richard and Catharine
H. (Comstock) Peck. His father was a farmer, whose whole life was
passed in the State of Now York. Mr. Peck grew up and was educated
in his native county, and when groAvn to manhood became engaged in
farming there, wliich lie continued until 1856, at which time he came
to Illinois, and settled in Whitesides county, until 1863, when he pur-
chased a farm in Palmyra, on which he resided until his death, January
12, 1877, and where his widow and children are still living. Mr.
Peck was married in December 1852, to Miss Sylvia A. Gillett, at
Byron, Genesee county, New York. Five children resulted from this
union, the eldest being Charles D., born March 25, 1854; Mary Hope,
born October 21, 1861; Kate L., born March 10, 1864; William J.,
born February 3, 1866, and Frank H., born January 31, 1873. Mr.
Peck was universally esteemed and respected, and left to his family a
legacy more precious than gold or silver, that of an unsullied reputation
and untarnished name.

AViNTURoP Seavey (deceased), Palmyra, was born in Rye, New
Hampshire, January 26, 1802, and was the son of Joshua and Betsey
(Webster) Seavey. In his early manhood Mr. Seavey was engaged in
the mercantile business in liis native state, and remained in that line
until 1839, when he removed to Illinois, and settled in Palmyra town-
ship and became engaged in farming, which pursuit he followed until
his death, which took place in the month of November 1864. He was
married January 10, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Curtis, of Washington
county. New York, who died June 25, 1853. There are two children
surviving this union, William W. and Gideon W., the latter of whom
is engaged in business at Fort Wayne, Indiana. William W. Seavey,
the eldest son, was born in Palmyra township October 18, 1840, and
has ever since resided in his native town, and has for many years been
engaged in farming. He was married November 17, 1870, to Miss
Augusta O. Moses, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and they have but
one child living, Albion M., born January 27, 1872. Mr. Seavey is a
member of the republican party.

T. A. Butler, farmer. Palmyra, is a native of Huntington, Long
Island, where he was born March 2, 1814, and is the son of John and
Nancy (Abbott) Butler. His father was a stone-mason in his youth,
but soon became a farmer and followed that calling until his death,
which took place in DelaM'are county, New York, in 1836. Mr. But-

I^ACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 517

ler acquired his education in Delaware county, but in 1839 removed to
Illinois, and soon after located on his present farm in Palmyra town-
ship, where he has ever since resided. He was married February 14,
1850, to Miss Roxana Stewart, a native of Illinois, and they have had
seven children, live of whom are still living: Lilian H., born June 7,
1854, is married to Anton Brauer, and resides in Whitesides county,
Illinois; Otho J., born JNTovember 20, 1857; Perdita A., born July
10, 1860 ; Katie, born November 30, 1867, and Nora M., born May
9, 1872. In his political views Mr. Butler is entirely independent, be-
longing to neither of the existing parties.

Edward A. Hughes, farmer, Palmyra, was born in Columbia county,
Pennsylvania, on the 26th of March 1857, and is the son of El wood and
Elizabeth (Hill) Hughes, who are now residents of Palmyra township.
When thirteen years of age Mr. Hughes came to Lee county with his
parents, and for six years was engaged in attending school and assist-
ing his father in farming. In 1876 he commenced to farm on his own
account, and still follows that vocation. He was married on the 12tli
of February 1878, to Miss Vernia Champlin, then residing in Mount
Pleasant township, Whitesides county, Illinois. Mr. Hughes is a re-
publican in political sentiment, and has a well-deserved reputation for
ability and enterprise, of which so young a man may justly be proud.

NACHIJSA TOWNSHIP.

" 'Tis well to speak of things of the past
While memory is clear to serve us."

The present town of Nachusa was organized in 1871. The terri-
tory embraced within its limits once constituted parts of the original
towns of Dixon and China.

On November 10, 1870, Col. A. P. Dysart presented to the board
of supervisors a petition praying that the board create a new township,
called Nachusa, comprising the W. i of T. 21, R. 10, and the W. ^ of
T. 22, R. 10. At the same time a remonstrance was presented by
Robert L. Irwin against the creation of said new township. Where-
upon the petition and remonstrance were laid on the table until the
next session of the board. On Tuesday, February 7, 1871, on motion
of supervisor Yiele, the petition was ordered to be taken from the
table, and the board having heard said petition and the remonstrance
thereto read, and being sufficiently advised touching the same, it was,
on motion, ordered that the prayer of the petition be granted and that
a new town called Nachusa be created, comprising the territory before
described. The name was conferred upon the township in honor of

518 HISTOKY OF LEE GOUJSTTY.

Father Dixon, to whom, in early times, the Indians applied the name
of "Nachusa," meaning in their language white hair.

The southern portion of the town is flat, and until a system of
drainage is inaugurated it will be inferior to the surrounding country.
In the central part the land is gently rolling and the soil excellent.
Northward the township extends to Rock river, which describes
all sorts of serpentine crooks and bends along the northern border of
the county. Along its shores in this locality great masses of rock,
vine-covered and green with the moss of a century's growth, pile them-
selves one upon the other to the height of many feet, and here and
there jut far out into the water. Great grim bluffs, whose summits
are crowned by lofty pines that sigh in the breath of May and roar in
the blast of winter, tower skyward like huge billows on the sea. From
one of these bluffs one can see far up and down the river, whose sil-
very sheen is visible for many miles, now gliding behind hills and now
leaping into the sunshine and rippling along at your feet. Here, tradi-
tion tells us, the Indian maiden once bathed and prepared her simple
toilet and saw mirrored in the crystal waters her dusky cheeks and
raven hair. Here, listening to the murmuring waters, the sighing
pines and mournful cooing of the turtle-dove, she waited the coming of
her swarthy lover. Surely this is a charming spot, — wild, weird and

picturesque.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

The first permanent settlers in what is now Nachusa township were
Messrs. Bennet and Brown, who came from New England and located
on Sec. 1-i. Xext came the Eldrige brothers, who entered claims on
Sec. 19. About the same time Squire Chamberlain located on the
same section ; Mr. Hollingshead came soon after and also located on
Sec. 19. In 1835 Hon. Joseph Crawford came and lived one year with
Mr. Hollingshead and then located in Dixon township. In the sum-
mer of that year Mrs. Hollingshead came from Louisville, Kentucky,
and joined her husband in his frontier home. Having been raised
amid the luxuries of civilization, one may easily imagine her feelings
on being suddenly ushered into the wild life of the pioneer. She had
never done any washing or performed any household labor, but Mr.
Crawford states that she entered cheerfully upon her duties and seemed
quite contented in her rude home. Solomon Shelhamer was also one
of the early settlers of Nachusa. He first located in the town of Dixon
in 1837, and after remaining a short time removed to what is now
Nachusa.

In 1836 John Chamberlain bought Mr. Hollingshead's farm. In
the same year Mr. Fisk came from Pennsylvania, bringing with him a
stock of goods, with which he began business in the house formerly

ISTACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 519

owned by Mr. Hollingshead. This building is still standing, a relic of
early times. At that time all goods and supplies were drawn by ox
teams from Hennepin, on the Illinois river. Barclay Smith came in
1836, and bought what was known as the lower ferry farm, on Sec. 14.
Mr. Crandall, Jerry Murphy and Josiah Moores also came at an early
day.

The first settler in the southern part of the township was Mr. Jones,
who located on Sec. 20. Dr. Charles Gardner located on the same
section. Rev. Erastus Dewolf came from Rhode Island as an Episco-
palian minister. He bought Jones' claim, which he extended to such
proportions that after being surveyed it was found to comprise several
sections. He evidently desired to become " monarch of all he surveyed."
Alvah Hale came at an early day, and entered a claim on Sec. 33. In
1839 John Leake came from England, and located on Sec. 28. In 1811
his brother Daniel came, bringing both families.

Mr. Crawford states that the early settlers did not turn as much of
their attention to religious matters as people of the present day, but
that they worshiped God without a creed. Their religion did not
consist in rearing costly churches with lofty spires, but in doing right
by their fellow men, in imitating the "meek and lowly Nazarene"
in word and in deed. Mr. Crawford states that during the years of
1839-40 malarial and bilious fevers were quite prevalent among the
inhabitants of this portion of the county. This was supposed to result
from the poisonous vapors arising from the newly-broken i^i'airies.

The modes of traveling in early da3^s were quite different from
those of the present. Then if a man wished to go to Chicago he paid
his fare on the stage and took up his march behind that vehicle,
carrying a rail on his shoulder to aid in extricating it from gulleys and
mud-holes, with which the prairies then abounded.

Previous to the establishment of a cemetery the settlers buried their
dead on their farms. About the first public cemetery in the township
was on the farm of John Hetler on Sec. 22. This, however, was soon
abandoned and the present one established on land given for the pur-
pose by Josiah Moores. This one is located on the S.E. ^ Sec. 23.
The remains of Mr. Moores were the first laid to rest in this " quiet
city of the dead."

Mr. Brierton states that he once packed 4,500 pounds of pork, out
of which he realized nothing; what was not consumed by the family
was fed to the dogs. The price of meat was too low to pay for trans-
porting it to market. It might be well to mention here the difScul-
ties incident to transporting produce to market. An incident related
by Mr. Brierton may give the reader an idea of hardships encountered
by the early pioneers. In July, 1845, he and a neighbor named Brandon

520 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

started for Chicago, each with a two-horse wagon loaded with wheat
and oats. After traveling two days they arrived at Johnston's Grove,
thirty-five miles distant from their starting-point. In traveling that
distance they "doubled teams" nineteen times in order to get across
mud-holes. On the second night a terrible storm of rain set in,
which was so severe they knew it would be impossible for them to
reach their destination, and they accordingly abandoned the trip,
sold their loads and started homeward across the prairie, which was
almost a sheet of water, sometimes reaching their wagon-boxes. At
one place they saw parties with eleven yoke of oxen hitched to one
wagon, and even then were unable to extricate it. In making these
trips to Chicago it was no unfrequent occurrence for the settlers (they
always went in parties) to form a bridge across a stream with their
wagons, in order to get their grain across. This was accomplished by
unloading them and placing one after the other until the stream was
spanned. This done, they would take out all the end boards and carry
the produce across to the other side ; after which the wagons were
drawn out, reloaded, and the party again resumed its laborious journey
only to repeat the operation at the next stream.

Johtt Leake, sr., was also among the early settlers, having come in a
very early day. For many years his only conveyance was an ox team
and a lumber wagon. With this outfit he drew his produce to market
and also took his pleasure rides in it. In the fall of 1847 his entire
family were prostrated with the chills and fever.

Prominent among the pioneer settlers of Nachusa was Mr. Solomon
Shelhamer, who died in 1879.

The following is an extract from the history of Nachusa, as written
for the Dixon " Sun " by Col. A. P. Dysart.

In 1842 there was a settlement started on what is .now called the
Franklin Grove road. Ludlum Ayers, Levi Green, Thomas Hopkins,
William Parker, William Richardson, James Goddard and Don Cooper
took up claims and e'rected rude huts, the palace of the emigrant of
that day.

They mostly belonged to that class of people who are best at home
among the society that follows closely upon the footprints of the red
man. Most of them disposed of their claims in a few years, immigrat-
ing farther west to bear further hardships in opening and developing
some newer country, glorying in the name of the hardy pioneer.

In the year 1845 quite a number located lands near the present vil-
lage of Nachusa and some at the west end of Franklin Grove. At the
latter place Joseph Emmert, from Maryland, bought the claim of Don
Cooper.

Mr. Emmert, being a man of considerable means and energy, erected

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 521

in that and in the succeeding year a two-story dwelling and a large
barn ; the latter was said to have been the first erected in Lee county.
In the year 1850 he erected quite a large flonring-mill on Franklin
creek at a very heavy expense, it being the first one of the kind built
in the northern portion, and said to be the first in the county. It
stands yet as a monument to energy and enterprise. About the same
year he erected what is known as the Dunkard church, he being a min-
ister of the gospel of that persuasion. This building was occupied for
several years as a school-house as well as a church. Since that time it
has given place to a more stately edifice.

In the same year Col. A. P. Dysart entered lands adjacent to those
he now occupies.

In the same year (1817) he purchased the claim of Thomas Hopkins
and entered the lands, where he has resided ever since.

In the year 1816 John M. and Samuel Crawford located on lands
where they now reside.

Like all surrounding towns, the facilities for opening up and im-
proving the country was necessarily slow, and the outlet for its surplus
cereals being so far to reach they were almost valueless. The dawn of
the day of its prosperity had to await public improvements.

In the year 1851 the Chicago & Korthwestern railway (formerly
the Dixon Air-line) was completed, passing through nearly the center
of the township north and south, and having located a depot at first
named Taylor and since named JSTachusa. At that time all the freight-
ing for Grand Detour was done there.

"What can be said of the early settlements of the greater part of
the state can be said of JSTachusa ; a greater portion of the emigrants
were from the eastern part of the states where timber was abundant.
It was natural for them to select for their homes places as convenient
to timber as possible, and very many of them had doubts at that time
that they would ever live to see the day when this broad and almost
treeless expanse, which lay off from the timber, would be dotted all
over with the rural homes of the husbandmen. And the planted
forests that loom up, turned in any direction, demonstrates it as a fact
that it is easier to raise a forest than to remove one.

THE VILLAGE OF NACHUSA '

Was laid out in the fall of 1853 on land owned by Col. Dysart and
George Baugh. The following in regard to it was taken from the
records: "I, Joseph Crawford, surveyor of Lee county, do hereby cer-
tify that the town of Kachusa is situated and laid out as follows, to-
wit: upon the E. i of S.W. I and upon the W. ^ of S.E. ^ of
Sec. 6, T. 21 N., and R. 10 E.

522 HISTORY OF LEE COUJSTTY.

" The streets are sixty-six feet wide, and the alleys eighteen feet wide.
The quarter-section line passes through the center of State street, north
and south, and all the streets south of the railroad line are run parallel
to the quarter-section line, and at right angles thereto; and the streets
north of the railroad are laid out parallel to the railroad. For the size of
lots and blocks reference may be had to the plat, where they are marked
on the line in feet. At the southeast corner of block two, at the north-
east corner of block thirteen, and at the southwest corner of the plat?
are placed permanently in the ground good sufficient stones from which
to make future surveys. The surveys done for A. P. Dysart and
George Baugh. Done at Dixon, March 1, 1855.

"Joseph Crawford, Lee County Surveyor."

This little village is quite a lively trading point. They receive
from 150,000 to 300,000 bushels of grain yearly.

The first to embark in trade in the new-created town was Col. A.
P. Dysart, who built a warehouse and began buying and shipping
grain. In addition to his grain trade he also kept on hand a good sup-
ply of coal and lumber, for which he found a ready sale, and good
buildings and other improvements began to spring up all over the
country.

In 1855 or 1856 Mr. Dysart, in company with a man by the name of
Cunninham, engaged in the mercantile trade. Having put up a suita-
ble building for the purpose he kept what might be called a general
store. In 1860 this firm was succeeded by John Dysart & Riley, who
built the large elevator which is now in use in the present extensive
grain trade carried on by Joh« Dysart & Israel Slothower. The store
they sold out to Mr. Wm. C. Dysart, who is now carrjung on an exten-
sive mercantile trade in the village and surrounding country.

The first postmaster here was A. P. Dysart^ appointed by President
Pierce. The office has, till the present, remained in the Dysart family,
"W. C. Dysart being the present incumbent.

The school-house was built in 1868, and was first occupied by John
A. D. Barnes as teacher. The building is a neat little frame structure,
and does credit to the place.

The first blacksmith shop opened in the village was in 1855 or 1856,
by Mr. Farwell. The present proprietor is Mr. John S. Eicholtz, who
is also engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages.

The first school-house in the township was built and given to the
pioneers bj- Cyrus Chamberlain, Esq. This building was located on
Sec. 19. Mr. C. Herrington was the first teacher. Prior to the
building of this school-house schools were taught in private houses by
a man named Sheldon, and it is said he was the first teacher in this
part of the county.

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 523

Cyrus Chamberlain was the first justice of the peace. He was also
county commissioner when Ogle and Lee counties were one. Mr.
Chamberlain also built the first saw-mill in this part of the county.

The second school-house was built of stone, on Sec. 26, T. 22, R.
9. It is now used as a chnrch by the United Brethren.

CHURCHES.

The German Baptist church (more familiarly known by the name
of Dnnkard) was organized in what is now Nachusa township, by Bev.
Joseph Emmert, who built a house of worship on Sec. 5, T. 21, B. 10,
as early as abont 1850. This structure was superseded by a more stately
edifice several years ago, in size 34 X 54, with basement, kitchen and
sleeping-room above the audience-room. This same organization
existed prior to Mr. Emmert's coming to Lee county, but was located
just across the river in Ogle county. To them Mr. Emmert first preached,
but for the convenience of himself, his many friends and members
who were settled around him Lee county, organized as above stated,
with the following members : himself and family, Christopher Lah-
man and wife, Jacob Biddlesberger and wife, Samuel Biddlesberger
and wife, Oliver Edmonds and wife, Isaac Siets and wife, Andrew
Dierdorf and wife, Benjamin Kesler and family, with a few others.
With a will and determination this little band of disciples held together
and kept the faith through the pioneer period, and like the star in the
east, guided many good men from Bennsylvania and other eastern
states who came later and joined this little company, whose members
are now counted by scores, and to whose fair dealings and honest in-
dustry may be credited the prosperity of the community in which they
live. Their present preacher is Be v. Levi Baffensberger, who has been
prominently connected with the church for many years. Mr. Benjamin
Kesler has been an elder for about twenty-eight years, and has been a
pillar to the church ever since his residence in the county. In connec-
tion with this church is a beautiful cemetery, where now sleep a number
of the early pioneers, the first of whom was Debbie Beever. This
burial-place is free to all, and all the surrounding country bury here.

Yery early in the settlement of ISTachusa township a Methodist
minister by the name of Benjamin preached to the pioneer settlers in
their cabin homes. Another minister, by the name of Beed, an Eng-
lishman by birth, who has since returned to England, preached to the
early settlers near Mr. Brierton's in the little stone school-house, spoken
of elsewhere. Beligious services are still kept up by this denomination.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Jonathan Depuy, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, is prominent
among the early settlers of ISTachusa township now living. He was

524 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

born of poor but honest parents, in Luzerne county, in the old liilly
State of Pennsylvania, reared on a farm, and educated to hard toil and
industry. July 5, 1838, he married Miss Sallie A., daughter of Phillip
and Elizabeth (Moore) Klintob, also a native of Luzerne county, Penn-
sylvania. After his marriage Mr. Depny began life himself with just
what nature provided him with, a pair of strong hands and a deter-
mined will. His first work was to secure a team and wagon and a
small amount of money. This obtained, in the spring of 1842 he started
for Lee county, Illinois, where he arrived June 2, three dollars in
debt to a friend in Chicago from whom he borrowed that amount.
After his arrival here Mr. Depuy at once went to work, and when he
could not succeed in getting $1 a day he took 50 cents, and so perse-
vered until he became independent. He now owns one of the most
desirable homes in Nachnsa township, besides 240 acres in Iowa. His
wife died at her home, where she so long lived and where she reared her
family, jSTovember 30, 1866. The issue of this union was eight chil-
dren, six of whom are living : Alexander, Rosana, Maranda, Fidelia,
Sarah J. and Mariam. The two deceased are Francis, aged two years,
and Charles, who died in the winter of 1863, aged eighteen years.
Mr. Depuy's second marriage was with Miss Tenia Bowman, who was
born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1828. Mr. Depuy
was born October 2, 1816, and is the son of Jonathan and Rachel
Winner Depuy, who were also natives of Pennsylvania.

James A. LLeatox, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of John and
Sarah (Weed) Heaton, and a brother to the late Judge Heaton, of the
appellate court. He was born in Oneida county, New York, August
IT, 1822. His early labor was farming, but he served an apprentice-
ship to the cooper's trade. His education was quite liberal for his day.
He attended the common schools, then spent parts of three years at
Clinton Liberal Institute, where he studied all branches taught in that
institution except the classics. He taught ten years in New York
state. April 1, 1844, he started for the west. He landed first in Wis-
consin, then made his way to Illinois, Lie arrived in Lee county in
August of the same year, and engaged as a farm hand to James Camp-
bell, then sheriff of Lee county. In winters he taught school. On
April 18, 1847, he enlisted in Co. A, 16th reg. U. S. Inf., for the Mexi-
can war, and served till its close. He then returned to Lee county.
He was married June 1, 1851, to Anna M. Hetaler, daughter of
Nathan and Katharine Hetler. She was born September 1, 1832.
They have seven children living: William IL, Katharine H., wife of B*
F. Miller; Andrew J., Charles C, Jessie, and twins, Nellie and
Georgia. Mr. Heaton has owned many different tracts of land, but

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 525

dates permanent settlement to his occupancy of his present home, Sees.
22 and 24, T. 22, K. 9. He has 208 acres in his farm.

Zacharia T. Stover, farmer and stock raiser, Dixon, was born in
Adams county, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1849, and was reared on a
farm, with but a limited means of obtaining an education, as his
mother died when he was but a small boy ; yet, by a determined will,
and application to study, he gained a fair business education. In 1870,
in view of bettering his condition, he came to Lee county, Illinois,
where he decided to make his future^ home ; decidedly preferring the
prairie State of Illinois to the hilly State of Pennsylvania. October 6,
1875, he married Miss Anna L. Seitz ; she was born in Lee county,
PJ-'nois, December 16, 1854. They have two children: Charles T.
and Mary F. Mrs. Stover's father, Isaac Seitz, was born in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1809. Early in life Mr. Seitz learned
the trade of cooper, which he followed till he came to Illinois, in
1846. He then bought a farm in Sec. 2, T. 21, R. 10, and engaged in
farming. September 8, 1850, he married Miss Frances, daughter of
Charles Philip and Elizabeth (Moore) Klintob ; she was born in Lu-
zerne county, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1826, and came to Lee county in
1848 or 1849. By this marriage he reared four children, two of whom
are living, Mrs. Anna L. Stover, and Jacob E., born May 24, 1862;
by a former marriage he reared six children, three of whom are living:
Mary A., wife of John W. Courtright, and Isaac and Abraham
(twins). Mr. Seitz is still living on the old home farm with his
daughter.

DoLLivER Johnson, retired, Amboy. After a long life of useful
labor, combined with a high order of mechanical genius and intelli-
gence, Mr. Johnson retired to his farm in the southeast of ISTachusa
township, where himself and his excellent wife are now spending their
declining years, surrounded with the blessings of a pleasant home. Mr.
Johnson was born in Bradford, Orange county, Vermont, July 16,
1800. He was reared on the farm, but at the age of eighteen, being a
natural mechanic, turned his attention to learning the trade of black-
smith. This he followed till the age of thirty-four, when, seeking a
broader held of labor, he entered a foundry at Boston, where ho bored
and finished the fii'st brass cannon ever produced in the United States.
About this time came the demand for railroad engines, and he engaged
in the manufacture of these great iron horses, which were then not only
the wonder, but consternation, of the world. He subsequently became
master mechanic for five diiferent railroad companies, viz, the Erie,
the Pittsburg, the Calais & Baron in the United States, and the St.
Lawrence & Atlantic and Grand Trunk of Canada. In 1855 he came
to Amboy, Lee county, Illinois, where he received the appointment by

526 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

the Illinois Central Railroad Company of foreman of their machine
shops at Dunleith, where he remained till 1870, when he retired to the
farm, which his noble wife had been superintending from the time of
their advent into Illinois, thns bringing into practice those rare talents
for which her family are characteristic. On March 20, 1827, Mr. John-
son was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Underwood. She died April
20, 1835, aged twenty-nine years and five months. Of this marriage
are two children : Alonzo and James, both living in Springfield, Mas-
sachusetts. Mr. Johnson's next marriage was on October 17, 1837,
with Miss Lucretia, daughter of Mr. Thomas and Anna (Eaton) Abbott.
She was born in Concord, ISTew Hampshire, March 6, 1812, and is a
descendant of the historic Abbott family, whose ancestors (two brothers)
came to America in the early Puritan days in tlie next ship following
the immortal Mayflower.

WiLLixVM W, Darkee, farmer and stock raiser, Amboy, is a native
of Leicestershire, England, and came to Lee county, Illinois, in 1845.
During his early youth he was engaged in a mixed business of farm-
ing, brewing, butchering, and attending school. Soon after he came
to Lee county he entered land in Sec. 21, T. 21, E. 10, and at once
began to make himself a home, which to an Englishman is of great
importance. He very early entertained the idea that to make a home
on the prairie it must be surrounded with a thick growth of a large
variety of timber, hence his residence is now almost hid from view
in the tall timber that surround it. On January 26, 1853, he mar-
ried Miss Caroline Gould, a native of Ashtabula county, Ohio. She
was born January 24, 1824, and died July 26, 1863, leaving one child,
Elizabeth, born October 25, 1853, who is now cheering her father's
home with the pleasant sunshine of her countenance. Though she
was early in life deprived of the tender care and instructions of a
mother, she has those very essential qualities which are so much re-
quired to make a pleasant home — industry, perseverance and good taste
Mr. Darker is engaged in stock raising as well as farming.

Samuel Crawford, farmer and stock raiser, JSTachusa, was born in
Blair county, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1823. Like his father he was
reared a farmer, and educated in the common schools of his bojdiood
days (that of the old subscription plan). February 10, 1848, he was
united in marriage with Miss Mary A., daughter of Jacob and Nancy
(Wilson) Burket, also a native of Blair county, Pennsylvania. She
was born April 21, 1827. In April following his marriage Mr. Craw-
ford started for Lee county, Illinois, by the way of the rivers Ohio,
Mississippi and Illinois. On his arrival in this county he at once began
improving his prairie home, which he had two years previously entered
in Sec. 9, T. 21, R. 10, and has since transformed it from a state of

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 527

nature, inhabited by deer and wolves, into one of the finest farms in
JNachusa township. It comprises 400 acres of excellent farming land.
This has about all been earned by a close application to business, and
is an evidence of what pluck and industry will accomplish. When he
first had wheat to sell he hauled it by team to Chicago over the un-
broken prairie, without roads or bridges, but he worked and waited for
the railroad, and now it passes in sight of his home. Himself and his
noble wife are now enjoying the fruits of their labor. They have five
children living: William J., Wilson, Fannie M., Calvin B. and Lu-
cinda A. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford are members of the Presbyterian
church and hold their membership at Dixon.

William H. Fiscel, farmer and stock i-aiser, Nachusa, was born in
Adams county, Peimsylvania, May 14, 1842, and came to Illinois with
his parents, David and Mary A. (Herbst) Fiscel, in 1848. They were
natives of Pennsylvania, but of German ancestr3\ Soon after coming
to Lee county they settled near Franklin Grove, but two years later
bought land in Sec. 32, T. 22, R, 10, in what is now Nachusa town-
ship. They made the trip from their native state to Lee county with
a team, being six weeks on the road. At the time they came the coun-
try was quite new and unimpsoved ; grain had to be hauled to Chicago
to find a market, and then sold for from 30 to 50 cents per bushel.
Passengers were but poorly accommodated by the old stage coach,
which is now replaced b}^ the lightning express, and passes several
-times daily in sight of their home. Mr. Fiscel lived to see a great
change in this county. He died in November 1865, leaving a wife and
seven children to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father. Wil-
liam H., the subject of this sketch, coming as he did to Illinois w4ien
quite young, was deprived of the advantages of anything more than a
limited education. Young as he was at the outbreak of the late rebel-
lion, he became a member of Co. G, 75th 111. Yol. Inf., and did about
three years' service for his country. He was honorably discharged with
his regiment at the close of the war. February 27, 1868, he married
Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. George Stambaugh. She was born
in Pennsylvania, December 25, 1846. They have one child, Frank,
born January 24, 1876. The very pleasing appearance of their home
shows its proprietor's good taste.

John P. Brdbaker, farmer, JSTachusa. The Brubaker family in
this country descended from two brothers who came to America from
Germany, in 1771, and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, from
whom sprang a numerous posterity. One of the two brothers, as above,
was Christley Brubaker, from whom descended Jonathan Brubaker,
who was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was the father of Jonas
Brubaker, who was born in the same county. May 5, 1801. The latter

528 HISTOET OF LEE COUNTY.

moved with liis parents, when seven years of age, to Virginia, settling
near LNUichbui-g, that state. Three years later the family removed to
Preble county, Ohio, where Jonas still lives at the advanced a2:;e of
eighty years. John P. Brnbaker, the subject of this sketch, was born
July 30, 1826, in Preble county, Ohio, and is the son of Jonas and
Rebecca (Phillips) Brubaker. His mother was the daughter of Simon
Phillips, of Tennessee, \vho lived near Blue Ridge, tiiat state. When
twenty-three years of age he left his father's liouse in Ohio, and com-
ing to Illinois he purchased a farm on Sees. 5 and 6, T. 21, P. 10 E. of
the 4th P. M., Lee county, where he still lives. On September 7, 1840,
he was married to Miss Hannah Wright, daughter of William and Eva
Wright, of Preble county, Ohio. Resulting from this union were four
children : William E., now residing in Iowa ; Marcus 0. died De-
cember 11, 1875, in Cincinnati; and Laura A., now wife of Ruben W.
Eicholtze, of JSTachusa township. Mrs. Brubaker died October 15,
1865. On February 31, 1867, Mr. Brubaker was united in marriage to
Miss Ann Sunday, daughter of Henry and Susan (Trostle) Sunday, of
York county, Pennsylvania, her parents both dying when she was but
a child. From the above marriage union resulted two children : Min-
nie May, born May 21, 1868, and Ozra J., October 5, 1873. Mr. Bru-
baker has served as commissioner of highways for a number of years,
as school trustee for the last fifteen years, and as justice of the peace
for the past ten years, and sustains the last two official relations at the
present time. He gives special attention to fruit-growing, of which he
has many choice varieties, his home being well shaded with thrifty
fruit and forest trees. He has one brother living, Ephraim Brubaker,
of Chicago, and one sister, Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Baker, Preble
county, Ohio. Mrs. Brubaker has two brothers living : Solomon Sun-
day, of Frederick county, Maryland, and two sisters : Rebecca, wife of
John Peters, of Dickinson county, Kansas, and Abigail, wife of
Abraham King, of Lee county.

Ben-tamin Kesler, farmer, Nachusa, was born April 12, 1807, in
Ash county, North Carolina, and is the son of Joseph Kesler,
born in Pennsylvania, February 17, 1767, and removed to Ash county,
North Carolina, about 1791. His grandfather, Unrich Kesler, emigrated
from Switzerland when a lad, between 1740 and 1750. When the subject
of our sketch was but a child he removed with ]:iis father to Montgomery
county, Ohio, where the latter died September 1840. He remained on
the farm until November 1836, when he removed to Darke county,
where he continued the occupation of farming until 1850, when be
removed to Illinois and settled in Sec. 6, T. 21, R. 10, Lee county, where
he resided until the autumn of 1880, when he removed to his daughter's
home in Nachusa township. On September 21, 1827, Mr. Kesler was

NACHUSA TOWJ^SHIP. 529

united in marriage to Miss Sally Burket, daughter of John and Mary
Burket, of Miami county, Ohio. To them were born seven children ;
four now living, two dying in infancy, and Miss Anna at the age of
twenty years. After a companionship of fifty-three years Mr. Kesler
was bereaved of his wife and devoted mother of his children, she dying
May 2, 1880. Mr. Kesler has been identified with the German Bap-
tist church for about forty years, thirty of which time he lias held the
office of deacon.

Mks. Maky (Kesler) Emmert, of Nachusa, was born April 1, 1831,
in Montgomery county', Ohio, and is the daughter of Benjamin and
Sall}^ (Burket) Kesler, given above. At the age of nineteen she
removed with her parents to Illinois. She was united in marriage
March 11, 1852, to Henry Emmert, son of Rev. Joseph Emmert, of Lee
county. After marriage they settled on a farm in Sees. 4 and 5, T. 21,
R. 10. They have eight children : Sarah Catharine, Joseph (deceased),
Anna Elizabeth, Alora Priscilla, George Rufus, Eva Jane, Carrie
Hewet, Frank Winfred, and Jesse Theadore.

George Washington Kesler is the eldest son of Benjamin and
Sail}'' (Burket) Kesler, and was born in Montgomery county, Ohio,
October 21, 1836. He removed with his parents to Lee county, Illinois,
in June 1850. In October, 1862, he enlisted in the army and entered
Co. C, 84th reg. 111. Yols. ; was wounded in the battle of Murfreesboro,
being disabled from further service, and was honorably discharged.
December 29, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa M. Hunt,
daughter of Otis and Louisa (Fluent) Hunt, of Steuben county, New
York. She was born November 6, 1840, and removed with her parents
to Lee county, Illinois, in 1861. After their marriage they settled on
a farm in Bradford township, where they resided until March 1879,
when they removed to Collyer, Trego county, Kansas, where they still
reside. They have a family of four children : Otis B., Perlie, Jesse L.
and Nettie F.

Mrs. Eva (Kesler) Lichty was born April 22, 1841, in Darke
county, Ohio, and is the daughter of Benjamin and Sally (Burket)
Kesler. She removed with her parents to Lee county, Illinois, in June
1850. In August, 1865, she was united in marriage to Daniel A.
Lichty, who was born in Somerset, Pennsylvania, came to Illinois
about 1863, and devoted some time to school teaching. After their
marriage they settled on a farm in Lee county, where they resided until
March 1873, when they removed to Brown county, Kansas, where they
are now living. They have four children : Bernice M., Olive Mary,
Malilon, and Ida Anna.

RuFus G. Kesler, son of Benjamin' and Sally (Burket) Kesler, was
born in Darke county, Ohio, August 3, 1845. In June, 1850, be

580 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

I'emoved with his parents to Lee county, Illinois. After acquiring a
fair common school education he spent a three-months term in a com-
mercial college. In 1863 he enlisted in the service of his country and
become a member of the 75th veg. 111. Yols., remaining in the service
until the close of the war. Besides other severe battles in which he
took part he participated in the bloody battle of Perrysville, where
most of his regiment fell. In the fall of 1870 he married Mrs. Frances
Graves, of Chicago, daughter of Mr. George Robinson. He made
Chicago his home until 1878, when he removed to Collyer, Trego
county, Kansas, where he took a soldier's claim of 100 acres and a
timber claim of the same amount, and is engaged in farming and stock
raising.

Jacob Hill, farmer, Dixon, Lee county, Illinois. Jacob Hill, farmer
and stock raiser, son of Jacob and Catherine Hill, was born in Luzerne
county, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1821. In about the year 1837 he
went to Livingston county, New York, where he resided for nearly
twenty years. In 1858 he came to Lee county, where his father had
settled two years previous. He had six brothers and two sisters, but
is now the eldest living, three brothers and one sister having died.
His father died about 1870, and his mother survived until 1879, when
she too passed away. Mr. Hill has one brother in this county. In
about 1842 he was married in New York, the issue of this marriage
being two children, and he was afterward bereaved of wife and chil-
dren. About one year after his removal to this county he was united
in marriage to his present wife, Miss Balinda Marteeney, daughter of
Jacob and Anna (Corke) Marteeney, of this county. They had by this
union four children. Their eldest daughter married Daniel Linzey, of
South Dixon. Mr. Hill, the subject of this sketch, resides upon the
home farm, and is an enterprising and successful farmer and an es-
teemed citizen.

CoL. Alex. P. Dysart, farmer, Nachusa, was born February 3,
1826, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and is the son of James
and Elizabeth Dysart, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but of Scotch
and Irish ancestry. When a boy of eighteen or nineteen he located
land in Lee county, embracing the present village of Nachusa, and in
1847 settled where he has since resided, and improved one of the finest
farms in Lee county. His farm embraces 288 aci'es of prairie land on
Sees. 6 and 7, T. 21 N., R. 10. In 1848 the colonel returned to Penn-
sylvania and was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Grazier, of
Huntington county, that state, and daughter of Henry and Nanc}"
Grazier, and returned to his farm in Lee county in May of the same
spring. He was elected justice of the peace for two successive terms,
also served on the board of supervisors for a number of years, as well

'»"^C%^

juJV %^^ ''

NACIIUSA TOWNSHIP. 533.

as commissioner of highways, town clerk, etc. In the fall of 1861 he
entered the United States service, being commissioned captain Septem-
ber 13, 1861, and mustered in as captain of Co. C, of the 34th reg.
111. Yols. After the battle of Shiloh, he was promoted major and re-
ceived his commission April 18, 1862. On November 29 of the same
year he was commissioned colonel, and took command of the 34th
reg. At the expiration of the regiment's service he returned to
Springfield, and was tendered the command of a new regiment by Gov.
Bates, but which he declined, and returned home. In 1878 he was
elected representative to the Illinois state legislature, and reelected in
1880. He is of decided republican principles in politics. The colonel
suffered the bereavement of his wife, who died December 11, 1878,
leaving seven children, four sons and three daughters. The eldest son,
James W. Dysart, M.D., is living in Laramie City, Wyoming; two
sons, James H. and Alison A., and one daughter, Mrs. Miller, reside in
Chicago ; one daughter, Mrs. Jessee R. Whitney, resides south of
Franklin Grove.

William C. Dysart, merchant, Nachusa, was born in Huntingdon
county, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1837. His early life was spent at farm-
ing on the old homestead. During this time, however, he received a
liberal education at Mountain Seminary, Birmingham, Pennsylvania.
In the spring of 1866 he moved to Lee county, and engaged in the
grain business at Nachusa, in company with his brother, Capt. John
Dysart, and erected the first grain elevator at that place. After engag-
ing one year in this pursuit he returned to his native state and en-
gaged in the wholesale grocer}^ trade at Altoona, at which business he
continued until in 1879, when he again came to ]Srachusa, and estab-
lished himself in the general merchandise and lumber business, which
he still pursues. For this business he first occupied a small frame build-
ing, which now forms a wing to his present commodious store, erected
in 1878. On January 1, 1872, he was married to Sophia Barlow,
daughter of Augustus Barlow, Esq., a prominent citizen of Lee county.
They have had by this union one child, a daughter, Anna May, born in
1875. In 1869 Mr. Dysart was appointed postmaster at Nachusa, and
has held the oflice continuously ever since, and is the present incum-
bent. Mr. Dysart, together with his estimable wife, enjoy the confi-
dence and esteem of the entire community in which they live.

Wilson Dysart, farmer and stock raiser, ISTachusa, was born 'No-
vember 27, 1829, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and is the son
of Joseph and Mary A. (Davison) Dysart. He was reared on a farm,
receiving a fair education, also a good practical education in the art of
intelligent farming. January 18, 1853, he married Miss Frances M.,
daughter of Mr. Sanmel P. and Susan (Rathbon) Wallace, who was
33

534 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

born in Hnntingdon county, Pennsylvania, August 31, 1833. After
his marriage Mr. Dysart engaged in farming on the old home with his
father, till 1857. In the spring of that year he came to Lee county, Illi-
nois, and commenced improving land previously entered by his father,
and in the fall of the same year his family joined him here, and he at
once settled permanently on Sec. 17, T. 21, R. 10, which he has since
by industry and good taste transformed from a state of nature into one
of the beautiful prairie homes of the south part of this town. Mr.
Dysart is now (1881) actively engaged in stock raising as well as farm-
ing. This farm contains 440 acres of excellent land, highly improved.
His family consists of nine children : Warren P., Joseph W., Anna M.,
Clarinda, Ernest S., Edith, Marian L., Edward E. and Frances E.

John Leake was born in Leicestershire, England, November 27,
1807. He was the elder son of John and Miss (Snow) Leake. Educational
advantages were meager, but he acquired learning sufficient to enable
him to do business, and when about lifteen years of age was appren-
ticed to a butcher. After acquiring the trade he and his father bought
a small farm and carried it on, together with the butchering business.
After a time this business was disposed of and other enterprises under-
taken, but business did not prove successful, and Mr. Leake determined
to seek his fortune in America. In December, 1832, he was married
to Mary A. Jarvis. To them, while they remained in England, were
born three sons and one daughter, the latter dying when a child. In
1840 Mr. Leake bade adieu to his family and, without a tear, set sail
for New York, where he arrived in the latter part of May. Imme-
diately he pushed on to the frontier, up the Hudson to Alban}^ via the
Erie canal to Buffalo, via lakes to Chicago, thence by stage to Dixon's
Ferry, Lee county, Illinois. He reached this place June 10, in company
with William Moodey and Isaac Means, whose acquaintance he had
formed en route from New York. Mr. Means proposed going farther,
at least to Galena, but Mr. Leake said " Stay here and look about." He
shortly bouglit a claim, for which he said he would not take a thousand
dollars, the other men found employment, and so farther explorations
ceased. And now commenced the struggle for a home and compe-
tency. Having little or no money, Mr. Leake worked at any employ-
ment within his reach, often for 25 cents or less per da}^ and taking
for payment anything that could be made avaihable toward securing
the home or sustenance for the family. In 1841 a business trip took
him to New Orleans. Here he lived "three days on three 10-cent
pieces;" then came employment and success. Returning to Dixon, he
was there in time to meet his family, who arrived in August of that
year. Mr. Leake sold his coat to buy a cow ; built a shanty, which
was only partly covered with floor, and here, without table or chairs.

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 535

the family settled down in their own home. In the course of time
there were born into the family two daughters, one of whom is still
living. In 1843 the winter set in with such severity in the second
M^eek in November that the family were driven out of their shanty to
a neighboring log house. But noble enterprises are sure to win. This
family did not struggle in vain. In spite of frequent losses of hard
earned personal property, in spite of many dangers and much malarial
disease, they gained ground and soon began to add to the original
claim till a farm of 287 acres they could call their own. Other farms
were added, till at the time of Mr. Leake's death, he could number his
acres at 670. In 1867 the desire of several years was put in practice.
In May he crossed the Atlantic to visit his native land. Not long
after arriving in England he was prostrated by sickness so severe that
his friends had little hope that he would see home again, but his strong
will prevailed. He arrived at home November 1, but remained an
invalid till September 11, 1869, when he died. He was buried in
Temperance Hill graveyard, beside his daughter, who had died in 1862.
Thus he saw his three sons and one daughter grown and able to take
up the work which he had laid down. To Mrs. Leake belongs a large
share of credit for the success of the family. After her husband's death
she lived with her children till January 19, 1868, when she too was
numbered with the dead and laid beside her husband.

Thomas Leake, farmer and stock raiser, Amboy, is the son of John
and Mary (Jarvis) Leake, of Leicestershire, England, and was born at
that place January 12, 1839, and came to this country with the rest of
the family in the summer of 1841. Though he is not a native, he is
yet one of the pioneers of Lee county. He was reared on the farm
and in his youth was engaged in rural pursuits and attending the
pioneer schools of the period. In 1858, having mastered all of the
branches of learning available in the schools of the county, he entered
Rock River Seminary, at Mount Morris, for the purpose of completing
his education. In 1862 he began a theological course of training in the
Garrett Biblical Institute, at Evanston, Illinois, which he completed in
1864. In the meantime he was engaged during vacations in teaching.
On the completion of his course he joined the Rock River Conference
and began his ministerial labors in the Big Rock Circuit. This station
he filled for two years, at the end of which time, finding his health so
impaired as to make him unable to continue the work, he returned
home, and after a year of recuperation took charge of his farm. On
February 20, 1872, he was married to Miss Martha S., daughter of
Stephen T. Scoville, who was born in Oneida county. New York,
March 29, 1838. Mr. Leake has a beautiful farm and nice home, much
taste and refinement being displayed in their cultivation and care.

536 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

John C. Leake, farmer and stock raisei% Amboy, son of John and
Mary A. (Jarvis) Leake, was born in Leicestershire, England, December
Y, 1836, and came to America with his mother and others of their
family in 1841. His father preceded them here to prepare a home for
tliem on their arrival. This he did by entering government land in
the south part of ISTachnsa township. Thus John C. became one of the
pioneer children of this county and is well acquainted with all the
disadvantages of pioneer life, having hauled grain to Chicago with a
team, railroads then being a convenience almost unheard of in this part
of the country. September 21, 1863, he was married to Miss Mariette,
daughter of Leonard W. and Sarah A. (Crawford) Hale. She was born
in Ohio, January 6, 1838. They have one child living, Thomas W.,
and three deceased: Charles W. died July 2, 1877, aged twelve years;
Jennie F., February 6, 1879, aged six years, and Grace M., March 3,
1879, aged nearly three years. Mr. Leake owns the old homestead,
consisting of 380 acres, and is actively engaged in stock raising and
farming.

Heney Wingert, retired farmer, Nachusa, is a son of Jacob and
Elizabeth (Binkley) Wingert, and was born in Lancaster county, Penn-
sylvania, February 23, 1804. His father was born in the same state,
and his grandfather was born in Germany. Mr. Wingert was reared
and educated a farmer. August 10, 1826, he married Miss Anna M.
Bentz, a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania. In 1833 he re-
moved to Preble county, Ohio, and there engaged in farming till 1852,
when he came to Illinois, and settled in Lee county, on Sec. 4, T. 21,
R. 10. This was his last and permanent settlement, as he is now
(1881) contentedly enjoying the comfortable home his industry and
honest toil have provided. Mrs. Wingert died December 25, 1877,
leaving her husband nine children living (six being deceased), viz :
Elizabeth M., Louisa C, John W., Hannah, Walter J., Miriam, David,
Harriett A., Leona V. Mr. Wingert began life for himself without
means, but by good management he now owns, besides his home farm
of 160 acres, 80 acres of good land in Iowa. He is one of those whole-
souled men whose influence is always felt for good in the community
where they live.

John W. Wingert, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, is a son of
Henry and Aima M. (Bentz) Wingert, and was born in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1831, and with his parents removed to
Preble county, Ohio, when a small boy. Here he grew to manhood, en-
gaged in farming, and to a limited extent attending school. In 1852
he came with his parents to Lee county, Illinois, and settled in the
prosperous town of Nachusa, and followed the business of farming. In
August, 1862, he enlisted in the 75th 111. Yol. Inf , followed the for-

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 537

tunes of war through the battles of Perrysville and Stone River, after
which, on account of his health breaking down, he was transferred to
the 12th Veteran Reserve Corps, and was finally discharged with that
regiment in June 1865, broken down in health, from which he yet ex-
periences much suffering, January 28, 1869, he was united in mar-
riage with Miss Hannah M., daughter of Jacob and ISTancy Hittle.
She was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1837,
and came to this county with her parents far back in its early history.
They have five children : Willie B.. Frederick A., Adelbert, and Bertha
and Berton (twins). In November, 1877, he bought his present farm
of 160 acres in Sec. 29, T. 22, R. 10, where he now lives engaged in
farming.

Joshua Wingert, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove, is a
son of John and Mary (Newcommer) Wingert, and was born in the
State of Maryland, July 4, 1829. In 1832 his parents removed to
Ohio. Here young Joshua remained with his parents, engaged in
farming and attending school, till about the age of seventeen. At that
time (1846), in company with an elder brother, he emigrated to Illinois,
and settled in Lee county, and engaged in farming in connection with
his brother. December 20, 1855, he married Miss Susan, daughter of
Mr. Jacob and Mary Emmert. She is a native of Maryland, and was
born May 4, 1836, and came to Lee county, Illinois, with her parents
in an early day. After his marriage Mr. Wingert actively engaged in
farming and stock raising for himself, which business he has ever since
successfully followed, and by careful management and industry has ac-
cumulated a fine property. He has three sons living: Ralph W., a
fine scholar, who is now giving much attention to the fine arts; Ira
W. and Lee E., who are also giving much attention to education.

Joseph Heckman (deceased) was the son of Jacob and Sarah
(Bnshkirk) Heckman. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania,
April 11, 1813, and died June 19, 1881, after a life of patient labor and
industry. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter
of James and Elizabeth (Mock) Rawlings, December 25, 1838. She
was born July 5, 1814, and died May 23, 1879. They left a family of
six children : James M., Mary E. (who is now faithfully discharging
the duties of housekeeper for her brothers), Josiali S., Jacob C, John
R. and Adison L. Mr. Heckm.an with his family came to Lee county,
Illinois, in December 1863, and bought a farm of J. S. McNeel in Sec.
36, T. 22, R. 10, one of the most pleasant homes in this township.

David N. Steatton, farmer and stock raiser, Dixon, was born
in Massachusetts, August 1, 1844. He is a son of Milo and Calista P.
(Rice) Stratton. His early youth was spent on a farm, where he had
and improved the advantages of the common schools. At the age of

538 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

seventeen years he entered the mercantile business in Lee, Massachu-
setts. This he followed till the age of twenty-two, when he came to
Macoupin county, Illinois, where he remained two years as clerk in a
store. He then came to Whitesides county, Illinois, where he re-
mained till the fall of 1868, when he removed to his present home
farm in Lee county, Illinois. He is permanently engaged in farming
and stock raising, of which business he is now making a decided suc-
cess. August 15, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Hester,
daughter of Nathan and Judali Hill. She was born in Pennsylvania.
They are the parents of two children : Jennie P. and Milo. Mr,
Stratton's parents are still living in Massachusetts, his father at the
advanced age of eighty-two years.

Samuel Millek, farmer and stock raiser, M'as born in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1810. His father was killed w^hen he
(Samuel) was three years old. His early youth was spent farming and
attending school till seventeen years of age, when he began teaching.
He became a successful instructor both in the English and the German
languages. In 1832 he was married to Miss Mary Laymon, a native
Pennsylvania. By this union he had three children : Mary G., Jacob
L., John W. About 1840 Mrs. Miller died. Mr. Miller was next
married to Mary Maune, and by this marriage had seven children :
• Benjamin F., Abram C, Samuel W., Martha W., Lusetta, Charlotte A.,
Laura F. In June, 1865, Mr. Miller bought and occupied the old
George Baugh farm of 300 acres. He has always exhibited a marked
degree of industry and perseverance, the result of which is a fine farm
with all the improvements that add value to any farm property.

Jonas B. Eicholtz, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, is a son of
John F. and Anna (Boyer) Eicholtz, both natives of Pennsylvania and
now residents of Nachusa. Jonas B. was born in Adams county,
Pennsylvania, March 26, 1810, and like his father received a limited
education and was raised to hard work on the farm. In the spring of
1861, with his parents, he settled in Lee county, Illinois, near Nachusa,
where he engaged in tilling the soil. November 19, 1863, Mr. Eicholtz
was married to Miss Elnora E., daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Dettro)
Peters. She was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, August 23,
1810. The issue of this marriage is one child, Oscar E., born in Penn-
sylvania, March 26, 1866, while Mr. and Mrs E. were visiting in that
state. In 1875 Mr. Eicholtz purchased his present tarm of 145 acres
in Sec. 18, T. 21, R. 10, which he has improved but did not occupy as
a home till March 1880. He is one of Lee's industrious and prosper-
ous farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Eicholtz are connected with the Lutheran
church, holding their membership in the St. James' church. South
Dixon.

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 539

Samuel A. Bendek, farmer and stock raiser, Dixon, is a son of
John and Margaret (Miller) Bender, and was born in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, June 5, 1843, He remained at home with his parents,
where he gained a fair common school education, till the summer of
1860, when he started west, intending to make a home for himself on
the celebrated prairie of Illinois. He stopped in Lee county and
began working out by the month on a farm, but at the outbreak of the
rebellion he shouldered the musket in defense of his country, and on
August 12, 1862, as an enlisted member of Co. G, 75th 111. Yol. Inf.,
started for the field of action. He met the enemy at Perry ville and
Stone River, and was with his regiment throughout the war, and was
honorably discharged June 12, 1865, having been appointed sergeant
(for meritorious conduct) in August 1864. After his return home Mr.
Bender engaged in farming in Lee county. November 18, 1869, he mar-
ried Miss Millie, daughter of Erastus and Ruth (Wilcox) Hart. She was
born in Pennsylvania, July 18, 1851. They are the parents of three
children living: John F., Bessie A. and Dora Mabel, and two de-
ceased. In the spring of 1870 Mr. Bender bought his present home
farm in Nachusa township, where he permanently located and engaged
in farming. His father was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania,
where he made his home through life. He died August 25, 1881. The
father, the grandfather of our sketch, was a native of Germany, and
followed the occupation of farmer. He came to America early in life
and settled in Pennsylvania.

Jomsr Atkinson, farming, Nachusa, is a son of John and Margaret
(Todhunter) Atkinson, and was born in Cumberland county, England,
August 30, 1817. In June, 1869, he left the land of his birth, parents
and friends, and set sail for America in the steamship England, of the
National line, in search of home for himself on the fertile prairies of
Illinois, and landed in New York July 4, 1869. He at once came on
to Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, and hired out by the month on a farm.
This he followed two years, when he rented land and engaged in farm-
ing for himself. March 1, 1879, he married Miss Susanah, daughter
of Mr. John and Hannah (Skermer) Leake. She was born in Lee county,
Illinois, November 28, 1847. Mr. Atkinson is now successfully en-
gaged in farming.

Samuel Boyee, farmer, Dixon, son of Abraham and Elizabeth
(Bowman) Boyer, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, Sep-
tember 28, 1840. He remained at home with his parents, engaged in
farming and attending school, till about the age of fifteen years, when
he came to Illinois and engaged at farm labor till the outbreak of
the war of the rebellion, when he enlisted in Co. A, 13th 111. Yol.
Inf. He at once started for the front and came in contact with the

540 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

enemy for the first time near Lynn Creek, Missouri. He served at the
siege of Vicksbiirg and many other hard-fonght battles, and was finally
discharged with his regiment at Springfield, Illinois, and returned to
Lee county so completely broken down in health that he has been
unable to perform a day's work since. As a recompense for injuries
received in the service "Uncle Sam" is now paying him a liberal
pension. March 15, 1866, he married Miss •Rebecca Emerick. She
was born in Somerset count}^, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1848. They are
the parents of six cliildren : James H., Barbara E., Alonzo, Maud,
Goldie, and William L. In 1877 he moved on his present home, in
Sec. 14, T. 22, R. 9, where he is now engaged in farming.

Calvin Burkett (deceased) was born in Blair county, Pennsyl-
vania, December 8, 1829. His parents were Jacob and ISTancy (Wil-
cox) Burkett. During earl}' youth he was engaged in attending school
and working on the farm. At about the age of twenty-one he came to
Lee county, Illinois, by the rivers Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois. Hav-
ing gained some knowledge of the business of stone and brick masonry,
he engaged in and followed it for a number of years, teaching school
winters. In December, 1858, he bought a farm of 160 acres from Jer-
don Crawford, in Sec. 8, T. 21, R. 10, IN^achusa township, and engaged
in farming and stock raising. This, however, he only followed a short
time, for at the outbreak of the war he enlisted in Cheney's Battery.
While in the army his health failed, and after lying in hospital three
or four months he was discharged on account of disability. January 2,
1868, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of James K. and Eliza
(Bruce) Henry. She was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania,
January 8, 1840, and came to Lee county, Illinois, in 1865. Mr. Bur-
kett, by industry, hard work and good management, made for himself
and famil}' a good home. He was a member of the Presbyterian
church, as is also his surviving wife. The}' had no children of their
own, but have one adopted child, Charles M. Burkett. Mr. Burkett
died February 27, 1881, and was buried in the Dixon cemetery.

Erastus Hart (deceased) was born near Albany, New York, De-
cember 14, 1809. He was reared a farmer, and followed that business
through life. At Rochester, New York, March 15, 1831, he was united
in marriage with Miss Ruth, daughter of Mr. Daniel and Hulda (Webb)
Wilcox. She was born in Black River county, New York, December
15, 1812. Soon after his marriage Mr. Hart removed to the State of
Pennsylvania, and there engaged in farming. In the summer of 1865
he left the state where he so long lived, and came to Lee count}', Illi-
nois, and settled in Dixon. He only remained there one year, when
he moved out on his farm he had previously bought in Sees. 25 and 26,
T. 22, R. 9. Here he actively engaged in stock raising as well as farm-

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 541

ing. He died October 4, 1868, leaving, besides his life-long companion,
six children, as follows : Alvisa, wife of S. Lnpher ; Mariett, wife of T.
L. Slocum ; Lurj, wife of J. Williams; Levi E., Diantha, wife of S.
Smith, and Millie, wife of Samuel A. Bender. Levi E. Hart, son of E.
and R. Hart, farmer and stock raiser, was born in the State of Pennsyl-
vania, August 30, 1846, and came with his parents to Lee county,
Illinois. December 18, 1868, he married Miss Emeline B., daughter
of Abanoan and Caroline (Fowler) Hinds. She was born in Susque-
hanna county, Pennsylvania, June 21, 1846. They are the parents of
two children : Sybil L. and Leon. Mr. Hart is proprietor of the old
home of his father, and with him his venerable old mother is spending
her declining years in peace and comfort.

Francis Miller, farmer, Nachusa. The yeoman who leaves his nati ve
land, dares the ocean's turbulent billows, makes his way to Illinois and
here, by incessant toil and constant saving, secures to himself and fam-
ily an ample and pleasant home of 182 acres of land, second to none
in the state, and improves it well, is certainly a success. Such a man
is Francis Miller, the subject of these notes. Mr. Miller w^as born in
County Derry, Ireland, in 1833, and like his father was reared to hard
work on the farm and had but few educational advantages. In March,
1852, he was married to Miss Jane Burnside, daughter of Josiah Burn-
side. She was also born in County Derry, Ireland. Immediately after
their marriage the twain set sail in the sailing vessel Isaac Wright for
America, and after nine weeks' sailing reached New York. He
remained at labor in New York a few months, then came to Lee coun-
ty via Chicago and Rockford. Arriving, he engaged at farm labor by
the month or day. He soon purchased a small farm, but in 1872, in
partnership with his brother-in-law, James Burnside, bought the farm
which he in 1880 secured to himself and now owns, situate in Sec. 19,
T. 21, R. 10. He deals somewhat in stock, etc. Mr. Miller's family
numbers seven children : Margaret (now Mrs. R. A. Hewet), James,
Samuel F., Eliza, William I., Mary, and Josiah.

John M. Allwood, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, was born in
Lincolnshire, England, March 26, 1830. His parents were John and
Ann (Madison) Allwood. He was reared on a farm. His parents being
poor, his education was ver}^ much neglected. After growing up he
labored as a day hand six and a half years. October 18, 1853, he left
his native country and friends and set sail for America in the sailing
vessel North American, and after a voyage of six weeks and two days
landed in New York. He at once left there for Wisconsin and from
there started on foot to a point, 200 miles distant, in Iowa, from where
he soon after returned to Wisconsin, where he hired out to work on a
farm at S8 per month. Here he continued a little over six years, when

542 HISTOKY OF LEE COUNTY.

he came to Lee county, Illinois, and hired out to work for Mr. Abijah
Powers in Palmyra. Here he remained two years and then went back
to Wisconsin, sold a farm he had previously bought, and then went to
Iowa, where he bought a farm of 240 acres, on which he lived about
three years. Mr. Allwood at this time having a longing desire for
Illinois, sold his farm and again returned to Lee county and bought a
farm in the south end of ISTachusa township, where he is now engaged
in farming and stock raising. October 18, 1863, he married Miss Isa-
bella Mostoller, a native of Pennsylvania, born there in 1835 and came
to Lee county, Illinois, in 1851. They are the parents of seven chil-
dren, five of whom are now living : William, Austin, Edgar, George
W., Mary E.; John, born August 20, 1864, was drowned in Coon
River, at Booneville, Iowa, July 3, 1881 ; Charles died in infancy.

John M. Ckawfoed (deceased) was born in Blair county, Penn-
sylvania, March 15, 1825. Early in life he learned the trade of car-
penter and cabinet-maker; this he followed until several years after
coming to Illinois, having worked on some of the first mills and bridges
built in Lee county. April 12, 1849, he married Miss Mary A. Dysart.
She was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1824.
They at once came to Illinois, and settled in Lee county on land he
had bought previously, having been to Lee county about three years be-
fore. He died May 21, 1881, having at the time of his death become
one of the largest land owners in Lee county. He was well and favor-
ably known throughout the county, having filled the offices of super-
visor and assessor for several terms. He left at his death a wife and
six children : the eldest of the children, James A., died June 9, 1881 ;
Milton A., Albert W., Joseph D., Frances J. and Ettie O.

John H, Abbott, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa. In the early
part of the seventeenth century the Abbots came from Somersetshire,
England, and settled on Staten Island, New Jersey; from them sprang
a numerous family, now scattered throughout the United States. They
were prominently connected with the Methodist Episcopal church in
its early history in America, and are among the first mentioned by
Bishop Simpson in his " Cyclopedia of Methodism." John H. Abbott,
now of Lee county, Illinois, is one of the descendants of this historic
famil3^ He was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, November
12, 1818. He was reared on a farm by his parents till the age of four-
teen. When at that age his mother died, and little John was thrown on
his resources and obliged to take care of himself. After a short time
he engaged his services to a Mr. L. B. Rupert, then engaged in boating
and transportation, with whom he afterward became a partner and fol-
lowed the business a number of years. December 14, 1848, he mar-
ried Miss Ellen Shoemaker, who was born in Columbia county, Penn-

ISTACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 543

sylvania, November 17, 1827. They are the parents of seven children :
Elizabeth J., Amzi S., Robert M., William, Charles B., Martha A. and
Mary E. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Abbott came to Lee county, Illi-
nois, bought land in Sec. 29, T. 22, E,. 10, where he permanently lo-
cated and engaged in farming. For the last eleven years he has been
commissioner of highways. He is prominently connected with the
Methodist Episcopal church.

Isaiah Brink, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, came to Lee county,
Illinois, October 10, 1851. He is the son of Joshua and Rebecca (Cole)
Brink, and was born October 17, 1817, in the old State of Pennsylvania.
Like his father he was reared a farmer and to a limited extent attended
the old subscription schools of his native state. In June, 1842, he was
married to Miss Eliza Stiles, and has become the father of six children,
three of whom are living : Sarah C. (wife of Perry Cromley), John L.
and Charles S. In March, 1852, Mr. Brink rented a cabin near Dixon,
into which he moved his family, bade them good-by, and started for
California, in company with some other parties who were going to the
Golden State with ox teams. He arrived there in September of the
same year, and at once engaged in mining, but soon after turned his
attention to the carpenter business, which he followed in connection
with trading and speculating for about four years. In September, 1856,
he returned home, and found his wife engaged in farming on land she
had bought with money sent home b}^ her husband during his absence.
Mr. Brink made his trip to California a success, inasmuch as he there
made the money which gave him a good start in life. His home farm
comprises 278 acres of good land. He is also the owner of considerable
other property.

John R. Meerill (deceased), Nachusa, was born in Londonderry,
New Hampshire, in 1804, and was reared on a farm. In April, 1829,
he married Miss Lydia C, daughter of Benjamin March. She was born
in Londonderry in 1805. In 1839 they emigrated to Illinois, where from
its cheap lands he might secure for himself and family a home and
enjoy the advantages of a growing country. He first settled in Ogle
county, near the line of Lee. Here he entered land, to which he kept
adding until he became the owner of a large amount of land in Lee and
Ogle counties. He experienced much of the liardships and privations
of pioneer life, making many trips to Chicago with a team, hauling
produce there and merchandise back, sleeping on the ground and in his
wagon nights, getting stalled in sloughs and carrying out his loads on
his back to land. He died March 4, 1861. Mrs. Merrill (a former
school-mate of the venerable Horace Greeley) is still living, at the
advanced age of seventy-six years, and is now (1881) enjoying excellent
health and a remarkable memory. They became the parents of two

544 HISTOKY OF LEE COUNTY.

children (twins). One of them died, aged twenty years and two montlis.
Tliis was a sad bereavement to Mr. Merrill, as he was a kind and
indulgent parent as well as a devoted husband. The surviving
daughter, Mary A., was born in New Hampshire, February T, 1831,
and is the mother of five children, three of whom are living: Charles
W., Walter A. and Mollie L. She has for the past two years been
living in Chicago, where her daughter Mollie is attending school. Her
son, Charles W. Dutcher, was married ISTovember 27, 1879, to Miss
Susan A. Kennedy, a native of Ogle count}', Illinois.

William Gakrison, farmer and stock raiser, JSTachusa, is one of the
early settlers of Lee county, coming here in the spring of 1845. Mr.
Garrison was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1813, and
is a son of Mathias and Susannah (Sealey) Garrison. He was reared
a farmer and educated to a limited extent in the subscription schools of
his native state. At the age of about twenty he started in the business
of farming for himself. December 26, 1833, he married Miss Amelia
Oman, a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania. She was born
January 31, 1811. In the spring of 1845 he came to Lee county,
Illinois, and settled near Dixon, where he entered land and engaged in
farming. This he followed four years, when he sold out and bought a
saw-mill just over the line in Ogle county, and actively engaged in
preparing the material then so necessary for improving the wild prairie
with buildings and fences. This he followed about eight years, and
then turned his attention to making a permanent home for himself.
He bought the KW. I Sec. 30, T. 22, R. 10 E., which he has made
one of the ver^' pleasant homes of Kachusa township. Mrs. Garrison
died December 27, 1870, on the home where she so long lived, after
living to see her fajnily all grown and the country that was so wild
and desolate all made into beautiful farms and dotted here and there
with schools and churches. Mr. Garrison's second marriage was with
Mrs. Lucinda Shute, October 15, 1872. She has by a former husband
one son, Abram L. Shute. Mr. Garrison is the father of fifteen children
by his first wife, nine of whom are living: John, Peter, George L.,
Hester A., Hannah, Elizabeth E., William H., Harriett E. and Martha
J. Mr. Garrison has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal
church for many years. When a boy he was converted to Christ, and
since that time has been a consistent member of the church. Two of
his sons, Peter and William H., served their country in the late rebel-
lion, Peter in the 75th 111. Yol. Inf , and is now carrying a rebel
bullet; William in Cheney's Battery.

According to tradition the founder of the Hausen family in the
State of Maine was a Saxon-German, and accompanied Burgoyne's
army from Europe to America in the same ship which brought that

NACHUSA TOWNSHIP. 545

celebrated general to the shores of this continent in the time of the
revolutionary war. Soon after his arrival in America Mr. Hansen
declared his intentions to aid the colonists in their struggle for liberty,
and at once became forage master for Gen. Washington, and rendered
good service throughout the war, which gave birth to one of the
grandest nations that ever existed. He finally married and settled in
the State of Maine, where he reared a family, one of whom was Charles,
who married Mary J. Hilton, and came to Lee county in 1840, bringing
with him a family often children, the youngest of whom was Norman,
the subject of this sketch, then a lad of nine years. His advantages
of education were very limited, being only such as the old subscription
schools of those days aftbrded, but the school of experience, from which
may be learned lessons of industry and thrift, was sufficient, and our
subject an apt scholar, as is proved by the success which has attended
his business affairs so far through life. He began life for himself by
working out by the month, and is now the owner of a good farm of
160 acres in Sec. 9, T. 21, R. 10, well improved and well stocked,
besides a farm of 160 acres in Meriden, La Salle county, Illinois. He
was born October 2, 1831, and married Lucy L. Herrick, July 8, 1866.
She is a daughter of Hiram Herrick, was born in Yermont, and came
to Lee county when a small child. They have one child, Jennie, born
August 20, 1870.

George Palmer, fanner and stock raiser, Nachusa, is a son of
Daniel and Christenia (Shuge) Palmer, and was born in Northampton,
Pennsylvania, September 11, 1808. His early youth was spent on a
farm. At about the age of twenty he began learning the trade of a
miller with his father. This business he followed a number of years
in connection with farming. In 1843 he married Miss Catherine
Stettler, of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and in the summer of
1846 tliey came to Illinois and settled in Lee county in what is now
Nachusa townsliip. In 1849 he bought a little home of forty acres in
Sec. 32, T. 22, R. 10. To this he kept adding till his farm now con-
tains 160 acres. This he has well improved and he is able to say
that he has earned it by his own hard labor and industry. This is now
one of the model farms of Nachusa township. Mr. Palmer is the
father of two children, one of whom is now living. Dr. Thomas D.
Palmer, born August 15, 1846, is now engaged in the practice of medi-
cine at Paw Paw, Lee county, Illinois. He is a graduate of Davis
Medical College, of Chicago.

John H. Burkett, farmer, Dixon, is a son of John M. and Mary
(Fleck) Burkett, and was born in Lee county, Illinois, March 28, 1854.
He was reared on the farm and educated in the conmion schools and
at the city school of Dixon. December 9, 1874, he married Miss Ann

546 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Ophelia, daughter of Erastus and Mary Cortright. She was born in
Lee county, Illinois. They have three children : Mary O., Annie N.
and one infant. Mr. Burkett is engaged in farming. He is a clever,
energetic young man.

Jacob Wektman, farmer and stock raiser, JSTachusa, was born in
Columbia county, Pennsylvania, l!^ovember 11, 1811. His parents
were Henry and Anna M. (Krymmin) Wertman, They were also
natives of Pennsylvania; and his grandfather, Michael Wertman, was
a native of Germany and came to America about the middle of the last
century. Our subject, Jacob, was reared on a farm and early educated
in the art of being a hardy tiller of the soil. These practical lessons
were like seeds sown on good ground, for they brought forth that in after
life which is the fruit of industry and a sound judgment. In the spring
of 1838 Mr. Wertman left the old associations of home to seek his for-
tune in the then far west. After many weeks of weary travel by water
and on foot he arrived in Dixon, Lee county, Illinois. Having early
in life gained some knowledge of the trade of carpenter, this he now
followed, in connection with other work, till he earned the means with
which to enter some government land. Thus he secured for himself
the foundation for his future home in Sec. 4, T. 21, R. 10. February
20, 1851, he married Miss Mary E., daughter Solomon and Jane
(Buckalu) Shellhammer. She was born in Columbia countj^, Penn-
sylvania, August 15, 1830, and came with her parents to Lee county,
Illinois, in 1837. Though but a child at the time, she well remembers
the trip, which occupied eight weeks and was made with horses and
wagon. Mr. and Mrs. Wertman are now spending their declining
years surrounded with all the blessings that a life of industry and
honest toil will produce. They are the parents of an interesting fam-
ily of four children : Charles IL, Thomas J., Alice M. and Willard L.
Three of w^hom yet remain at the old home. Charles H. is married
and has two children : Harry J. and Herbert T.

Thomas J. Wertman, farmer, Franklin Grove, is the son of Jacob
and Mary E. (Shelhamer) Wertman, and M^as born in Lee county, May
30, 1854, and like his father was reared a farmer, educated in the
common schools, but was more especially trained to the realities of
hard toil and industry. December 24, 1879, he married Miss Lucetta
A., daughter of Harrison and Lydia Hansen, She was born in Lee
€Ounty, Illinois, July 29, 1854.

In the early part of the present century Mr. William Brandon
emigrated from the north of Ireland to America, and settled in Penn-
sylvania. Soon after coming to America he married Triphenia, a
daughter of Benjamin Fuller, Esq., a native of Massachusetts. Of
this union were fourteen children, one of whom was Benjamin F., the

ISTACHUSA TOWlSrSHIP. 547

subject of this sketch. He was born January 11, 1814, in Luzerne coun-
ty, Pennsylvania. His early youth was spent with his parents on
a farm and attending the old subscription schools of his boyhood days,
the latter only to a limited extent. In the fall of 1837 Mr. Brandon
left his native state, as well as his old associates, and started for the pro-
verbial green fields, and after a thirty-four day's trip by land and water
arrived on the enchanting prairie lands of Lee county, Illinois. His
first location was made near Dixon, where he bought a claim, but a few
years later bought the farm where he now lives. Although it was
then but a wild prairie, it now has an air of home comfort, and con-
tentment. Its thrifty fruit-trees and beautiful large black-walnut groves
indicate the proprietor to be a man of good taste and industry. October
8, 1841, Mr. Brandon was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of
Elisha Courtright, Esq. ; she was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylva-
nia, February 15, 1825, and came to Lee county with her parents in an
early day. They have six children: Charles D., Milton R., George
W., "William, Sarah T. and Anna O. Mr. and Mrs. Brandon are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Jacob Emmert, retired farmer, Nachusa, is the son of Joseph and
Catherine (Avey) Emmert, and was born in Washington county,
Maryland, July 23, 1807. He was reared a farmer, which business
he followed through life. December 16, 1830, he married Miss
Mary Newcomer, also a native of Washington county, Maryland.
She was born February 15, 1811. In 1844 they came to Illinois
and settled in Ogle county, but one year later removed to near
where he now lives in Lee county. He is the father of eight children,
five of whom are living: Zachariah, William H., Jacob M., Susan,
and Catherine. Jacob M. enlisted in Co. C, 34th 111. Vol. Inf., in
September 1861, and followed the fortunes of war nearly four years.
In the fall of 1864 he was detached as sergeant of Gen. Jefferson C.
Davis' escort, but again joined his regiment. He was at tlie grand re-
view at Washington, and was finally discharged with the glorious old
34th in 1865. December 12, 1870, he married Miss Mary E. Ohmert,
of Lee county ; they have two children : Gracie L. and Kittie C.

Marshall McISTeel, farmer and stock raiser, JSTachusa, was born in
Pennsylvania, May 29, 1836, and came to Lee county, in company with
his parents, in April 1847, when a lad of eleven years. Here he grew
to manhood, with but a limited means of gaining an education. His
few spare moments, however, were devoted to his books, but the greater
portion of his time was employed in the hardy pursuit of the labors of
improving a farm on the wild prairie. At the time he settled here the
country was without the^ advantages of a market nearer than Chicago,
where he has hauled wheat with an ox team, the average time of mak-

548 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

ing a trip being about thirteen days, sleeping on the ground or in the
wagon as he could catch it. Hauling wheat over 100 miles, fording
streams and wading mud, would not pay hotel fare. When Mr. Mc-
Neel's parents, Thomas C. and ISTancy (Russell) McNeel, started in Lee
county, they were $80 behind an even start with the world, but by
hard work and good management they succeeded in making a good
home for themselves and family. Mr. MclSTeel died in April 1876 ; his
ancestors were from the north of Ireland. Mrs. McNeel died August
2, 18S1. Marshall, the subject of our sketch, was first married October
2o, 1862, to Miss Anna E. Sharrar ; she died August 1, 1877. His
present wife was Charlotte E. Miller, to whom he was married August
8, 1878 ; she was born in Pennsylvania, December 25, 1845. It is but
just to say of Mr. McNeel that his home is one of the neatest in the
township.

JoHx S. EicHOLTZ, wagon and carriage maker, Nachusa, is a son of
William and Lydia (Hanes) Eicholtz. He was born in Adams county,
Pennsylvania, September 24, 1842. His early 3'outh was spent on the
farm. He received a good business education. After he grew to man-
hood he engaged in farm labor till the spring of 1868, when he came
to Lee county. A few months later he became an apprentice in the
wood-work department of the wagon and carriage shops then in opera-
tion at Nachusa, and of which a few years later he became the proprie-
tor, and where he is now, in 1881, actively engaged in the manufacture
of a superior class of wagons and carriages. In connection with this
business he has a blacksmith and general repair shop. Thus, while
many have continued as day laborers, Mr. Eicholtz has by industry,
fair dealing and good management built up for himself a trade and repu-
tation of which any young man should have a just reason to be proud.
December 2, 18G9, he married Miss Charlotte Stover, a native of Penn-
sylvania. By this union he has four children : William B., Harry M.,
Edith M. and Maud May.

Jacob Hittle (deceased) was born in Columbia county, Pennsyl-
vania, May 8, 1807. The business of his life was farming. August 9,
1835, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Kulp. She was
born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1811, and is
still living on their old home in Lee county, Illinois, where they set-
tled as early as 1841. Mr. Hittle died February 6, 1877, after a life of
hard labor and industry, leaving to his family a comfortable home of
200 acres of excellent land. Mr. and Mrs. Hittle were among the
sturdy pioneers of Lee county, whose word was considered as good as
their bond. In his will Mr. Hittle wisely set oft to his daughter Mary
E., 40 acres of his farm, on account of her being in delicate health. The
members of his family now living are, besides his wife, Fannie, wife of

NACHUSA TOWNHIP. 549

John A. Sleer, now living in Carroll county, Illinois; Hannah M., wife
of J. "W. Wingert; Mary E., Alexander P. and Samson C, born in Lee
county, Illinois, December 27, 1847. He was married February 5,
1874, to Miss Caroline Allbright, a native of Pennsylvania. She was
born April 11, 1852, and came to Lee county with her parents when a
child. They have two children : Anna J. and Elvie E. Mr. Hittle is
now in charge of the old home farm, and is engaged in farming and
stock raising. He is a thorough, industrious young man, warm-hearted
and friendly almost to a fault, yet careful and prudent at all times.

Chester Harrington, stock raiser and farmer, Nachusa, came to
Lee county, Illinois, in 1837, from the State of New York, making the
tri]3 wMth a team of horses and a wagon. He was born in Washington,
New York, August 22, 1813, and is the son of Ebenezer and Paulina
(Donlen) Harrington. He was reared a .farmer, and educated in the
common schools of his native state, finishing his education in the
Homer Academy, in Cortland county, New York. He early engaged
in teaching, but principally followed the business of farming through
life. Soon after his arrival in what is now Lee county he bought a
claim of Moses Crombie, and when the land came into market entered
and bought it from the government. This farm he still (1881) owns.
November 14, 1843, he married Miss Zerina, daughter of Cyrus and
Pluma (Burton) Chamberlin, a native of the State of New York. The
issue of this marriage is three children living: Inez lone, Chester E.
and Cyrus C. Mr. Harrington has always made it his home in this
county, except fourteen years spent in Ogle county, where he also
owned a farm. While in Ogle county he was four times elected by
the people of Grand Detour township to fill the position of supervisor,
and was in the spring of 1881 elected supervisor of the township of
Nachusa. Besides the first land he entered in Sec. 13, T. 22, K. 9,
he also owns a farm of 160 acres in Sec. 19, T. 21, R. 10. Mr. Har-
rington's principal business is stock raising, though he also farms to
some extent.

John Garrison, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, is a son of
William and Amelia (Oman) Garrison, and was born in Columbia
county, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1835, and came to Lee county, Illinois,
with his parents in the spring of 1845, arriving here June 4. Thus it
will be seen that John Garrison early became identified with Lee
county. He was raised on the farm and educated as a hardy son of
toil, with but a very slim chance of school learning. March 26, 1861,
he was united in marriage with Miss Maranda, daughter of Mr.
Jonathan and Sallie A. (Klintob) DePuy. She was born in Luzerne
county, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1842, and came to Lee county with her
parents when a small child. They are the parents of eight children :
33

550 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Emma J., wife of C. B. Brader; Charles A., Addie M., George H.,
Priscilla M., Lucinda R., Elizabeth E. and Jacob F. In the spring of
1866 he moved on the farm where he now lives, in Sec. 25, T. 22, R. 9.
His real estate comprises 240 acres of good land. His home farm is
one of the very desirable ones of l!^achnsa township. He is engaged in
stock raising as well as farming.

ALEXANDEKDEPuY,farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, son of Jonathan
and Sallie A. (Klintob) DePny, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsyl-
vania, December 7, 1838, and came to Lee county, Illinois, with his
parents in 1846. Here young Alexander grew to manhood, with only
such educational advantages as were afforded in this county at that
time. Like his father he was reared a farmer and thoroughly trained
in all that pertains to agricultural pursuits. In 1861 he enlisted in Co.
C, 34th reg. 111. Vol. Inf. He took part in the great battle of Shiloh;
was with his regiment during its three years' campaigns; reenlisted as
veteran with the same company and regiment, and with the same was
honorably discharged in 1865. February 15, 1866, he married Miss
Mary A. Bitner, a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. She was
born June 11, 1840. They have no children of their own, but have an
adopted child, Daisie May. Mr. DePu}^ is now activeh^ engaged in
farming and stock raising. His home is one of the beautiful locations
of this township.

Geoege J. GiTT, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, son of William
and Lydia (Wilt) Gitt, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania,
October 5, 1844. During his early youth he lived in town, but was
principally engaged in working on a farm and to a limited extent
attended school, and by applying himself to study and observation he
has gained a fair business education. In 1863 he became a soldier in
the war for the Union in the 165th Penn. Inf. After his discharge he
engaged in railroading. In the spring of 1865 he came to Lee county,
Illinois, and began working on a farm by the month. May IS, 1868,
he married Miss Samantha, daughter of James Dawson, a native of
LTnion county, Ohio. They have two children : Cora M. and James W.
In March, 1873, Mr. Gitt took charge of the old and well known
farm of Joseph Crawford, Esq., and still continues to successfully carry
on the business of farming and stock raising.

Henry Bothe, farmer and stock raiser, Amboy, was born near
Mindon, Prussia, December 26, 1841 ; he was reared on a farm and
educated in the common schools of the country of his birth. In the
summer of 1859 he left the home of iiis childhood and sailed for
America, landing in Baltimore July 4 of the same year. Four days
later he came to Lee county, Illinois. Here he found his father, wlio
had preceded the family to prepare a home for them on their arrival.

ALTO TOWNSHIP. 551

Here young Henry engaged in farming with his father till September
9, 1861, when he enlisted to fight the battles of his adopted country^
but was discharged on account of disability, September 8, 1862, thus
losing his bounty due him as a three-years soldier. For a number of
years Mr. Bothe suffered from the effects of disease contracted while
in the army. He was married September 4, 1864, to Miss Catherina
Hotzel. She was born in Germany, January 14, 1844, and came to
this country in 1847 with her parents and settled in Lee county.
They are the parents of eight children : Fredrick W., Anna E., John
H., Christian F., Minnie H., Elvina C, Katie M. and Lillie C. In
1868 Mr. Bothe bought his present home farm of 132 acres, in the
south part of Nachusa township, where he is engaged in farming and
stock raising, and by prudence, industry and good management is
making it a success.

Israel Slothower, grain dealer, JSTachusa, was born in Adams
count}', Pennsylvania, April 24, 1843. He was reared a farmer, as
was also his father, who died when Israel was but three years old.
His educational advantages were only such as the common schools of
his native state afforded. At the age of eighteen ^^ears he entered as
an apprentice to a blacksmith. After learning the trade he followed
the business till he entered the army as a soldier in the war for the
Union. After his discharge he came to Lee county and engaged in
the blacksmith business at Nachusa. This he followed three years,
then went to Iowa, bought, opened up and improved a farm, which
was, on June 18, 1870, swept over by a terrible tornado, completely de-
molishing his new home and all his improvements, the accumula-
tion of years of labor and industry. He, however, again rebuilt his
home, but soon after sold out and returned to Nachusa and engaged
his services to Mr. John Dysart, then in the grain trade at Nachusa,
and two years later became partner with Mr. Dysart in the business
and has since managed the business to the entire satisfaction of all
parties. His wife was Miss Jennie A. Stover, a native of Pennsylvania.
They have three children : Anna JST., Retta B. and Carrie.

ALTO TOWNSHIP.

This township is in surface gently undulating, or rolling prairie,
the eastern portion being quite rolling, the western more level, and
some portions low and flat. There is very little land but can be used
either under plow or as pasture for stock. The soil is a rich, black
loam. Plum Thicket, a grove of about twenty acres, situated nearly
in the center, is the only natural grove in the township. The Plum

552 HISTOKY OF LEE COUNTY,

Thicket run is the only stream in Alto township. There are four or
iive driven wells from 100 to 200 feet deep. There is plenty of good
wholesome water, nearly soft, on every farm. Wells are from fifteen
to fitty feet in depth.

Alto was first settled at Plum Thicket, The first house built there
in 1847 by John Grimes, the first settler, is still standing. The old
state road running from Ottawa to Galena passes through this town-
ship. On this road the early judges were wont to travel with pistol in
hand (on their way from Ottawa to Galena), there being many hard,
reckless characters, who roamed through this country engaged in horse
stealing, and almost as dangerous as Black Hawk in his day and age.
A wagon-road was laid out from Paw Paw to Rochelle, running
through this township, in 1856. The above roads have since been
abandoned, and wagon-roads are now laid out and well worked on most
of the section lines ; one or two are on quarter and half sections. The
first family settling in this township, in 1843, was that of John Grimes,
now dead. The second, who came about two years later, was the Rev.
J. Wood, a Baptist preacher, who remained two or three years and
removed to Earlville, La Salle county, Illinois. The next coming in-
to Alto was Mr. Jeddediah Loneridge, coming in about 1852, who re-
mained about twenty 3'ears and removed to Nebraska, and has since
died. Mr. Loneridge was noted for his skill at making baskets and
various other useful articles. Mr. James Holcomb and father's family
were the next comers, followed by Mr. Hubbel Williams and Mason
Herrick. Soon after came the Mills family, James Tyler, and C. R,
Hall, followed b}' the Kirbj^s, McDonnels, Stewards, Carpenters,
and others, filling the township up quite rapidly.

ORGANIZATION.

A petition for organization was presented by the citizens to the
supervisors of Lee county, and at a meeting held in the school-house,
■district jSTo. 3, April 3, 1860, they organized by appointing Hiram C.
Holcomb chairman ; Charles R. Hall was elected moderator, and James
Tjder clerk. Being duly qualified by H. C. Holcomb, justice of the
peace, the polls were declared open at nine o'clock. At this meeting
a motion was made and carried that the town be divided into four road
districts. A motion was also made to levy a tax of forty cents on
$100 for road purposes; a motion was also made and carried to raise
two mills on the dollar for town expenses. A motion was made and
carried to keep up all cattle at night, and if left out and damage was
done, for first oft'ense the owner to pay all damages, for second off'ense
the owner to pay double the damage. A motion was made and carried
that every man be his own pound-master. At the close of the polls

ALTO TOWNSHIP. 553

the following first town officers were declared elected (forty-seven votes
were polled) : for supervisor, C. R. Hall ; town clerk, James Tyler ;
collector, Josiah Carpenter ; assessor, James Tyler ; justices of the
peace, Daniel Carey and II. C. Holcomb ; constables, Josiah Carpen-
ter and John Dorson ; overseer of poor, Jeddediah E. Loneridge ; com-
missioners of highways, James A. Smith, Roan McClure, and M.
Mills. Its present officers are : supervisor, Gardiner W. Thompson ;
town clerk, S. J. Whetston ; assessor, James Kirby ; collector, Oweii
Kinney ; commissioners of highways, John Dunn, Irving Gordiner,
and O. R. Rickalson ; justices of the peace, "W. F. Gallaher and S. J.
Whetston ; constables, Owen Kinney and R. 'N. Coleman ; town treas-
urer, Harmon Yan Patten ; school trustees, George Carey, Jame&
Kirby, and M. M. Miller.

In the winter of 1869 and 1870 there was an agitation commenced
as to a railroad through Alto township from the southeast to the north-
west, known first as the Hinckley road, now the Chicago & Iowa rail-
road. Great excitement was caused and much opposition made toward
the enterprise. A call was made for a meeting to see if the citizens
were willing to subscribe for $32,000 bonds, payable when the track
was laid, and cars running on the same. The meeting was held, and
upon vote being taken it showed as a result nearly two-thirds in favor
of the scheme, or 93 for and 50 against. A surVey was made and
grading commenced on Monday, September 26, 1870, and the enter-
prise was pushed ahead rapidly, and on December 31, 1870, it was
finished to Rochelle, Ogle county, and trains sent over. Then
there was a lull and no regular trains were run till April 1871, and
only once a day till 1872. The great Chicago fire and the panic occur-
ring about that time had a depressing effect through this section, and
a few years later the $32,000 bonds were compromised and reduced to
$25,000, and at a lower rate of interest, and have since been reduced to
about $15,000. The railroad offices and warehouse were in Wesley
Steward's barn for some time after the road was in operation.

CREAMERIES.

There are two creameries in Alto township, the Alto creamery
being widely known. It is located on Sec. 5, half a mile south of the
Ogle county line. In 1873 several farmers united, with a capital of
about $5,000, erecting a suitable building for the manufacture of butter
and cheese, milk being furnished from 125 to 250 cows. The creamery
has been kept in continual operation since commencement. John H.
Bacon is superintendent and salesman and Daniel Carey is secretary.
There is a small factory called the Walnut Grove creamery owned and
carried on by John Walker, and is located on the east line and about

554 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

the middle of Alto township. He makes butter and cheese from the
milk of about fifty cows,

SCHOOLS.

There are seven school-houses in the township, costing $8,000.
There are seven school districts, one a union with Willow creek in
the southeast corner of Alto township, Alto has a school fund of
$10,000. Miss Carrie Whitcomb, now Mrs. George Addy, was the
first school teacher in Alto township. The school building in district
No, 3, located at Steward, is one of the finest and best built structures
for school purposes in Lee county. It cost nearly $4,000. It has four
large, commodious rooms, on tw^o floors, beside ante-rooms, cloak-rooms,
etc. The other six houses are also good substantial buildings, costing
about $700 each.

THE STEWARD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

A meeting was called and held in the railroad depot April 1874.
At this meeting a building committee was chosen and elected. The
committee were J. C. Curry, H. A. Robinson, II. Yan Patten, Y. W.
Wells, Jeremiah Tyler, Jas. A, Smith, Merritt Miller, E, M, Piele,
and John Yetter. M. L. Barnett was elected treasurer, and J. C.
Curry clerk. The committee proceeded at once toward their work,
having a plan drawn by Perkins Richardson, of Aurora. The plan
was adopted and the contract was at once made with T. J. Labdell, of
Paw Paw, for its erection. The building was completed and ready for
dedication September 6, 1874. Trains were run free from Chicago
and Mount Morris, and a free dinner was served on the day of dedica-
tion. The church is the finest building of its kind between Aurora
and Rochelle. It is 36x52, and 28 feet high to the eaves, with steeple
about 80 feet high. It has a fine basement room, the whole size of the
building, for Sunday-school purposes. The church has seating for about
500. It is free from debt and both church and Sunday-school are in a
flourishing condition under the pastoral care of Rev. W. H. Tibbals
and T. J. Lawton, superintendent of Sabbath-school. The original
cost of church building was about $5,000. Its present ofticers are
Wesley Steward, T. J. Lawton, Y. W. Wells, IL Yan Patten, and C,
W. Herbert, trustees, and T. J. Lawton, treasurer.

The Fidelia Lodge, No. 635, I.O.O.F., was organized at Lee,
March 9, 1877. The following grand oflicers, pro tem., being present:
G. W. Clark, M.W.G.M. ; M. T. Ellinwood, W.M. ; B. J. Warren,
Y.G., C. W. Younggren, G.S. : S. J. Whetston, G.C. ; W. R. Baum-
bach, G.W. They proceeded to institute the lodge, after which the
regular officers were elected : J. N. Prentice, N.G. ; J. J. Meyer, Y.G.;

ALTO TOWNSHIP, 555

C. W. Younggren, secretary ; C. Yanderventer, treasurer. The other
charter members were J. L. Dyas, H. W. Bryant, F. Fitzgerald, W.
R. Baumbach, J. N. Prentice, J. Mullins, C. W. Yonnggren, and C
Yanderventer. On May 22, 1880, the N.G. of Fidelia Lodge, No. 635,
by request, appointed a committee, consisting of Brethren Harris, Hal-
let and Younggren, to confer with brethren of the order residing at
Steward and vicinity to consider the propriety of removal of Fidelia
Lodge to Steward. At a subsequent meeting the committee reported
favorable, and upon vote being taken it was unanimously carried to
petition the Grand Lodge for removal, and upon receipt of the peti-
tion the M.W.G.M., G. W. Berggren, deeming it for the best interest
of the order, granted a warrant for removal. The lodge as now situ-
ated in the village of Steward is in a very healthy condition, being
financially and socially strong. Its present officers are A. R. Michael,
N.G. ; W. B. Griffith, Y.G. ; John Dunn, treasurer, and S. J. Whet-
ston, secretary.

Alto township now presents such a contrast in comparison to its
first settlement that one not accustomed to its beautiful groves and
hedges would take it for a country well and naturally wooded. Most
of the farmers are engaged in grain raising. Francis and Geo. Carey,
Wesley Steward and Gardiner W. Thompson are largely engaged in
sheep raising. Several farmers have put in drain tiling, finding a fine
percentage of gain in crops. When this township was first settled
the land was bare of tree, shrub or fence, Now there are several
beautiful groves of walnut, maple and willow, as well as miles of fine
hedge fences of willow, osage, maple, etc.

STEWARD.

The village of Steward is situated a trifle west of the center of the
town of Alto. Its location is excellently drained, the water supply is
bountiful, easily obtained, and is justly celebrated for its purity. The
town is located on the Chicago & Iowa railroad, just halfway between
its termini, Aurora and Forreston. It was surveyed and platted just
subsequent to the completion of the above named road, in the year
1870, and although its growth has not been rapid it has been of a
healthy and substantial character. The village derives its name from
Wesley Steward, Esq., upon whose farm the town was laid out. At
this writing it contains a population of two hundred people. It
has always been aided by its founder in all schemes for the promotion
of the common welfare, and in these he has had the valuable assistance
of an unusually intelligent community. The business of the village
is extensive and of a growing character. As a grain shipping point it
has few equals in the state, the large country tributary to it and the

556 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

healthy competition in tlie business combining to make it a good
market for the cereal crops. Live stock is also largely shipped, and it
is a good distributing point for the lumber and coal trades. In the
general merchandise line the business is veiT fair.

The grain trade is the largest in importance, and is represented by
two lirms, whose combined business is very extensive. The first, as to
timeof location, is that of Wesley Steward & Co. (Wesley Steward and
G. F. Henning). They have a steam elevator with a capacity of 35,000
bushels. The others, Messrs. Christopher Jorgens e% Co., are later
comers, but are doing a large business. Their elevator capacity is
about 15,000 bushels. Both of these houses are largely engaged in
other lines of trade, such as lumber, coal, lime, salt, etc., and their busi-
ness is drawn from a wide-spread territory. Among other prominent
business houses is that of H. A. Robinson, dealer in groceries, dry
goods and drugs. Mr. Robinson has been postmaster of the village
ever since its inception. W. T. Preston, groceries and notions; E.
O'JSTeil, grocer; Y. A. Billion & Co., hardware and agricultural imple-
ments; W. P. Griffith, blacksmith and wagon shop; S. J. Bowles, har-
ness ; O. I. Selgelid, boots and shoes ; G. A. Ruckman & Co., meat
market; C. Foster & Co., churn manufacturers; S. J. Whetston, paint
shop; A. A. Chilson, agent American Express Company, and Chicago
& Illinois railroad.

The "Alto House," in the hands of S. J. Bowles, is a comfortable
hostelry.

The town is not yet incorporated, but has a resident justice of the
peace, Mr. S. J. Whetston, who is also town clerk.

The people of the village and surrounding country have reason to
congratulate themselves on the high moral tone and general intelli-
gence which pervades their community. That they have good grounds
upon which to base their claims in this regard is evidenced by their
church and school accommodations. The Methodist Episcopal church
have erected in the village a handsome edifice at a cost of $5,000, and
have also a neat parsonage for their pastor. The present occupant of
their pulpit, the Rev. W. H. Tibbals, is very generally esteemed.

The graded school is another evidence of the general thrift and
prosperity. The building, just completed at a cost of $4,000, is an or-
nament to the village, and one of which more pretentious towns might
justly be proud.

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, located in Alto town-
ship, was organized June 25, 1870. At the meeting Michael Knutson
was chosen chairman and Rasmus O. Hill secretary. Prayer being
offered they proceeded to adopt articles of faith and confederation and
to elect officers. Peter O. Espe, Peter O. Hill, and Elias O. Espe were

ALTO TOWNSHIP. 557

elected trustees, and Michael Knutson, Easmus O. Hill, and Ole O.
Hill, deacons.

The church is prettily situated on the southeast corner of four
corners, one mile west of De Kalb county line, and three miles south of
Ogle county line, and three miles directly east of Steward ; its size is
36x56, 16 feet high, and it has a seating capacity for about 400. It
has yard and sheds for teams. Its cost was about $3,300, and it is clear
of debt. Public services are held twice a month. The Sunday-school
averages about fifty. The society is in a quiet and healthy condition.

The present officers are Rasmus O. Hill and John Abelson, pas-
tors ; Peter O. Hill, John Oleson, and Nels Ullestad, deacons ; Elias
O. Espe, Ole J. Kroe, and C. J. Knutson, trustees, and S. H. Sander-
son, secretary. The Sunday-school superintendents are Peter O. Hill
and Nels Ullestad.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Wesley Steward, grain and stock buyer and shipper, lumber, coal,
etc.. Steward, was born in the Susquehanna valley, at the foot of the
Alleghany mountains, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1837. He removed
with his parents to Illinois, locating in Kendall county, in June 1838.
His mother, eighty-two years of age, is still 'living. His youth and
early manhood, till twenty-two years old, was spent at home on the
farm. He removed to Lee county, locating in Alto township in Au-
gust 1858. He received a limited education, mostly in a saw-mill, from
a Dabach arithmetic, Webster's speller and reader. He has held every
office in the gift of his township. Mr. Stev/ard was married December
3, 1862, to Julia A. Short, who died in August 1869. He was again
married January 6, 1873, to Mary A. Billion, who died March 14, 1881.
He has two children: Bertha and Guy. Mr. Steward is one of the
largest farmers and stock raisers in this township. He has about 1,000
sheep. Has raised in one year 840 acres of wheat, and has over 2,100
acres in this township and vicinity. He has also control and manage-
ment of about 1,300 acres belonging to his brother Lewis, living at
Piano. He is also largely engaged in grain and stock buying and
shipping and dealing in lumber and coal. He has one of the largest
elevators between Chicago and the Mississippi river. Mr. Steward was
largely influential in getting the Chicago & Iowa railroad (formerly
known as the Hinckley road) through this township. Mr. Steward is
one of the most enterprising and influential business men of this sec-
tion. The village and post-office were named in his honor.

Gardner W. Thompson, farmer, Lee, was born in Pittston, Wyoming
Yalley, near Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1841. His worthy
parents are both living, his father, Isaac Thompson, whose portrait
represents Alto township, eighty-four and mother at eighty-two

558 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

years of age. He received a common school education in Pennsylva-
nia, and spent his youth and early manhood till twenty-four in that
state. He came west and located in Alto township, Lee county, Illi-
nois, in 1864:. Mr. Thompson tried hard to serve his country in the
late civil war, enlisting five times, but every time was taken with
severe sickness, disabling him for service. He is at this writing
supervisor of Alto township, making the seventh consecutive time
elected to this office. He has held other local town offices. Mr.
Thompson was married April 26, 1873, to Mary E. Howell. They
have one child, Frank G. The aged and worthy parents of Mr. Thomp-
son are now living with him ; they are the parents of fifteen children,
the one now living with them being their youngest. The father of
Mr. Thompson was born, reared and lived on the old homestead in
Pennsylvania fifty-eight years. They have been worthy members of
the Methodist Episcopal church about sixty-five years. Mr. Thompson
has a 240 acre farm, and is largely engaged in sheep raising, having
about 200. He also has 30 head of horses and other stock, and a well
cultivated farm, and is one of Alto's most popular citizens.

Maj. Thomas J. Lawton, farmer, Steward, was born in Jefter-
son county, New York, August 11, 1813. He received a common
school education in his native county, but he spent his youth and
young manhood in western New Yoi'k, at Rochester and Buffalo.
The title of major he won during a fillibustering expedition in the years
1836 and 1837, it being at the time of the Canadian rebellion against
the queen of England, and had many thrilling adventures during these
months. At an evacuation from Navy Island about forty were barely
saved from going over the falls at Niagara. On March 4, 1837, they
had a skirmish on the ice near Point ^-^^ Pellee Island on Lake Erie.
In the spring of 1838 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1839 removed
to Circleville and engaged with M. L. Barnett in the grocery business,
(they also owned and run boats on the Ohio canal from Portsmouth to
Cleveland,) remaining till 1841, when he removed to Piqua, Ohio, and
with M. L. Barnett engaged in the forwarding and general grain and
commission business till July 1871. In 1871 he removed and located
in Alto, Lee county, Illinois. In 1861 Maj. Lawton raised Co. K, 1st
Ohio, remaining with his company about one year, when he was
ordered to headquarters and promoted and served as brigade and
division quartermaster during his term of enlistment. He has been
local justice of the peace of Alto at Steward for several years, and has
also held other local town offices. In the year 1850 he went with a
company of ninety persons on an overland trip to California with ox
teams for mining and trading purposes, where he remained two years.
Politically he is a republican. He was married in 1840, to Angeline
E. Crocker. They have one daughter, Mrs. Gilbert F. Heming, of

ALTO TOWNSHIP. 559

Steward ; have buried four sons. He has, since locating west, been
engaged in grain and stock buying and shipping. Mr. Lawton is a
Royal Arch Mason, a leading member of the Steward Methodist
Episcopal church, and, for one of his age, one of the most active business
men of this section.

Rev. "W. H. Tibbals, pastor of the Steward Methodist Episcopal
church, Steward, was born in Athens county, Ohio, May 28, 1829.
His mother, seventy-nine 3^ears of age, is still living. His youth, till
nearly twelve years of age, was spent in Ohio on a farm. His father
and fomily moved to Illinois in 1841, and he consequently knew many
of the hardships of early pioneer life, having to go eighty miles to
mill. In 1850 Mr. Tibbals went to California in search of gold, going
overland and returning by the Isthmus and New Orleans to Delaware,
Ohio. Upon his return he commenced study at the Ohio Wesleyan
University at Delaware, graduating in 1855 ; he then joined the
Pittsburg conference, Pennsylvania, and remained twelve years in
that conference. He then came west and joined the Rock River con-
ference, Illinois, in 1867. In tlie spring of 1862 he was elected cap-
tain of Co. L, 14th Penn. Cav., going to the front on the Potomac
with his regiment. After about eight months he resigned to accept
the colonelcy of the 2d Ohio Inf., at the hand of ex-Governor
Todd, of Ohio. At the expiration of the six months for which the
regiment was enlisted he was engaged for about two years in making
speeches and recruiting men and taking them to the front. Mr. Tib-
bals is a leading member and preacher in the Methodist Episcopal
church and has never lost a Sunday or an appointment during his
ministerial life. March 24, 1857, Mr. Tibbals married a niece of ex-
Governor Ford, of Ohio. They have three children living: Mary,
Dilla, and William, and three dead. He has a 331 acre farm in Alto
township clear of debt, and has put up a new windmill and a large
new barn this season. His farm is beino- well manao;ed.

HoLDEN P. Ely, Lee, was born in Norway, April 17, 1832.
He received a common school education at home, where his youth was
spent till twenty-two years old. On April 24, 1855, he started for
America, landing at Quebec, Canada, and coming directly to Bradford,
Lee county, where he worked at the blacksmiths' trade for three years
and then commenced farming. In 1865 he removed to Alto township.
He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, Lee county con-
gregation. He was married January 1, 1858, to Julia G. Sexy. They
have seven children : Peter, Julia, John, Bertha, Helle, Carrie, and
Martin. He has a good farm of 160 acres stocked and under good
cultivation.

Jacob P. Bly, farmer, Lee, was born in Norway, where his

560 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

father still lives, June 1, 1830. He received a limited common school
education in his native country. His young manhood till twenty-five
years of age was spent as a sailor. In 1855 he came to America,
landing at Quebec, Canada. Coming directly west he located in Brad-
ford townsliip, Lee county, Illinois, and commenced farming, remaining
about ten years. He then removed to Alto township. He is a member
of the Evangelical Lutheran church, Lee county congregation. He was
married June 21, 1863, to Thurbor Oleson. They have five children:
Gury, Peter W., John O., Martha M., Johanna M. He has a farm of
320 acres, under good cultivation, with good buildings, and is a leading
citizen of the townsliip.

YiNCENT W. Wells, farmer, Rochelle, was born in Sullivan,
Madison county, New York, November 21, 1826. His parents are
dead. He was educated in the State of New York. His youth till
about fifteen was spent in Madison county. New York, on a farm.
About 181:1 he removed M'ith his parents to Orleans county, New
York, remaining till twenty-three years of age. He then went to
Yirginia and remained one year and returned, removing with his
parents in 1850 to Pembroke, Genesee county. New York. In 1856
he came west, locating first at Piano, Kendall county, Illinois, where he
lived four j-ears. He then removed to Lee county. He has held
several local town oflices. He was married January 13, 1856, to
Elizabeth Rawley. They have one child, an adopted daughter. He
has a fine 200 acre farm, well stocked, having some very fine Norman
horses. Mr. Wells is also specially engaged in the manufacture of
butter, having a fine building, with all modern improvements, for the
business. Mr. Wells started with about $600 when he located in
Illinois, but he has grown to be one of Lee county's best farmers.
Mrs. Wells had a brother killed by the Cheyenne Indians in Chase
county, Nebraska, about October 7, 1878.

M. L. Baknett, book-keeper and cashier for W. Steward & Co.,
Steward, was born in Herkimer county. New York, April 2, 1814,
where his youth till eleven was spent. His education to a limited ex-
tent was received in Brockport, New York. In 1825 he removed to
western New York, remaining till 1836 in a commercial office. He
then went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was also employed in a com-
mercial office till 1839, and then removed to Circleville and engaged in
the grocery business till 1843. In 1844 he removed to Piqua and
commenced in the grain, provision, and transportation business, con-
tinuing till 1870. In 1871 he came to Illinois, locating at Steward,
Alto township, there being but one family here at that time. He was
married January 4, 1836, to Sarah E. Crocker, who died October 30,
1868, He has three sons and three daughters. His family is largely

ALTC TOWNSHIP. ' 561

above the average in intelligence and worth. His children are: Helen
A., now Mrs. William C. McClure, of East Saginaw, Michigan ; Mary
Kate, housekeeper for father; Mattie L., now Mrs. H. T. Chappel, of
Zilvvaiikee, Michigan; Charles C, auditor of Miami county, Ohio;
Sam O. and Frank P. at home. He is one of the staunch men of
honor, holding several trusts for different parties, and is a self-made
man.

Ole I. Selgelid, boot and shoe business, Steward, was born Janu-
ary 2, 1849, in Norway. His parents are still living. He received
common school advantages in JSTorway, where his youth was spent till
sixteen at home on farm. He then learned the boot and shoe makers'
trade and was thus employed in his native country till 1875, when he
emigrated to America, landing in the city of New York and coming
directlj^ to Creston, Ogle county. Soon after he came to Alto and
worked for three years on a farm. He then located at Steward and
engaged in the boot and shoe business, which he has since continued.
He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church and in politics a
republican. He was married in 1879 to Cari'ie Sandvek. They have
one child, Ed. Christopher.

Y. A. Billion, hardware and agricultural implements. Steward,
was born in Onondaga county, JSTew York, June 6, 1858. His father
died in 1860, and his mother March 14, 1881. His youth till ten years
of age was spent in his native town. His education was received prin-
cipally in Illinois. In 1868 he moved to Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois,
with his mother, where they lived nearly eight years, and then moved
to Steward, Alto township. He was married September 29, 1879, to
Carrie E. Chambers. They have one child, Oved. He keeps a full
line of goods ; is carrjnng on a lively trade, and shows the usual energy
manifested by Steward's merchants. Mrs. Billion's mother was burned
out of house and home about eight years since, at Rochelle, losing all
their personal effects.

John Seveeson, farmer, Lee, was born May 17, 1836, in Norway.
His parents are both living, at an advanced age. Mr. Severson spent his
young days, till twenty-one, at home on the farm. He had the advan-
tage of the common school in Norway. June 20, 1857, he landed in
America at Quebec, Canada, and came directly to Illinois, locating in
Kendall county, where he remained about twelve years, working a farm
on shares. He then moved to Alto, Lee county, and bought a larm of
his own. He now has 320 acres under good cultivation. He has held
local town offices ; is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church,
and in politics a republican. He was married November 21, 1862, to
Martha Newton. They have eight children living.

James J. Patterson, farmer, Rochelle, was born in Ireland May

562 ' HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

20, 1840, and came with his father and mother to this country about
six years later, landing at the city of New York, and locating soon
after at Albany, where they remained three or four years. They then
came west and settled in McHenry county, Illinois, and commenced
farming. Mr. Patterson remained at home till about lifteen years of
age and then came to Ogle county and worked out on a farm till 1861.
He then rented a farm and worked it till fall, when he enlisted in Co.
H, 46th 111. Vol., Inf. and reenlisted in January 1863, as a veteran,
and remained till February 1866, when he was mustered out of service.
He had limited common school advantages in Illinois. His parents
are both living. He is a Baptist in religion and a republican in politics.
He was married in February 1863, to Eunice Carpenter, and they have
six children. He has now a 190 acre farm.

W. E. Hemenway, farmer, Steward, was born in "Will county, Illi-
nois, January 3, 1845. His mother is still living. His youth, till six-
teen, was spent at home on the farm. In 1848 he moved from Will to
De Kalb county. In 1861 he enlisted in Co, F, 27th 111. Inf., serving
three years, and was honorablj' discharged in J^ovember 1864. During
1866, 1867 and 1868 he was lumbering in Wisconsin and Michi-
gan. He is a member of Sunbeam Lodge, A.F. and A.M., of Piano,
Kendall county. In politics he is independent. In 1860 he was mar-
ried to Cyntha Dewey, who died September 1876. He was married
again in December 1878, to Elsie J. Cox, He has three children, two by
first and one by second marriage. Mr. Hemenway is working 160
acres on shares, and is a breeder of Hereford bulls and Berkshire hogs.
His farm is under good cultivation.

A. H. Todd, farmer, Creston, was born in Stamford, Connecticut,
August 1827. He had common and select school advantages in Con-
necticut, where his youth and early manhood, till twenty-five years of
age, was spent. At that time he came west and located at Sandusky,
Ohio, being employed on the Mad River railroad as civil engineer, to
Tifiiin, Ohio, remaining about one year. The cholera raged so badly
that all parties scattered, Mr. Todd returning east to Connecticut.
About 1860 Mr. Todd came west again, locating at Dement (now Cres-
ton), and bought a farm, as now located, in Alto. In religion he is an
Episcopalian, and in politics a republican, Mr, Todd is an own cousin
to the late Com, Foote, His father was a distinguished Episcopal
clergyman at Stamford for forty years,

Meeeitt Millee, farmer, Steward, was born in Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania, October 4, 1842. His youth, till fifteen, was spent in
that state in a mill with his father. He was educated partly in Penn-
sylvania and partly in Illinois, and removed west in 1857, locating in
Willow creek, and commenced farming. In the fall of 1865 he re-

ALTO TOWNSHIP. 563

moved to Alto townsliip, as now located. He has taught school several
terms during the winter since coming to Illinois. August 24, 1862, he
enlisted in Co. K, T5th 111. Yol. Inf., and was mustered out June 24,
1865. He has held several local town offices, is a chapter Mason, and
a republican in politics. He was married October 11, 1867, to Carrie
Norton. He has 320 acres of land well stocked and under good cul-
tivation.

Morris Cook, farmer. Steward, came to Illinois in 1856, locating-
first at Piano, Kendall county, where he remained ten years, and then
removed to Alto, Lee county. He was born in Monmouth county,
New Jersey. He received his education in New Jersey, and his youth
was spent at home on the farm. Mr. Cook married. May 16, 1844,
Elizabeth Cooper. They have eight children living. His family are
above the average and among the progressive. Mary (Mrs. C. Van
Noat) lives at Mason City, Iowa; Cassie (Mrs. Owen Kenney) at
Scranton, Iowa ; James and John are also at Scranton ; Jane (Mrs.
Barton Neer) at Alto, and George F. at Alto; Libbie, and Morris, jr.,
are at home. He has a splendid farm of 320 acres, stocked and under
good cultivation. Mr. Cook is of a retiring nature, but highly esteemed
among his neighbors and townsmen.

Henry Southard, farmer. Steward, Lee county, was born in Green
county. New York, April 4, 1825. He was educated to a limited extent
in YanBuren county, Michigan, where his youth and young manhood,
till twenty-one years of age, was spent engaged at farming. He
removed in 1835, when about ten years old, to Cayuga county. New
York, living there three years. In 1846 he came to Big Rock, Kane
county, Illinois, and engaged at farming. In 1849 he caught the gold
fever, and in April, 1852, went to California, remaining about four
years, and returned in September 1856. Until 1859 he lived at Big
Rock, Kane county, when he removed to Alto township. He is a
Chapter Mason, and a democrat in politics. He was married February
24, 1850, to Esther S. Reed. They have three sons and two daughters.
He has 420 acres of land, all under good cultivation and well stocked,
and is among the leading farmers of this section.

Charles B. Davis, farmer. Steward, was born in Lewis county, New
York, March 29, 1844. His parents are living in Lewis county, New
York. He received common school advantages in his native county.
His youth was spent at home on a farm. He came to Illinois in 1869,
and located at Piano, Kendall county, where he remained live years on
a farm, and then removed to Alto. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church and is a republican. He was married March 24, 1864,
to Mary A. Dewey, and they have two children living : Cynthia A.
and Edna M. Mr. Davis is managing a 440 acre farm, the property of

564 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Milo C. Dewey. He is largely engaged in butter-making and milks
forty cows. Their butter, through the skill of Mrs. Davis, brings
always the highest market price. Mr. Davis is one of the pushing
young farmers of Lee county.

W. T. Fkeston, general merchant Steward, was born in Ken-
dall county, Illinois, near Newark, December 6, 1839. His youth and
young manhood, till twent^^-one, was spent there on a farm. He received
district school advantages only in his native county. His venerable
and worthy mother is yet living on the old homestead. In March,
18G(), Mr. Preston removed to Reynolds township, Lee county, living
there on farm till spring of 1876, when he moved to Steward, Alto
township, and engaged in the general goods business. April 2-1, 1861,
he enlisted in Co. K, 20th 111. Vol. Inf., going at once to the front.
January 4, 1864, he reenlisted as a veteran and marched with Sherman
from Atlanta to the sea, and was mustered out July 24, 1865. He is
a member of the I.O.O.F. and a republican in politics. October 3,
1866, he was married to Corrilla A. Coleman, widow William Cole-
man. Mrs. Preston has three children by first marriage. Mr. Preston
carries a full line of general merchandise and also owns two residences
and lots, is doing a prosj^erous business, and is among the leading busi-
ness men of Steward.

Heney "W". Dunning, firmer, Creston, was born in Orange county,
New York, February 23, 1828. He had the advantages of a common
school, principally in his native state, where his youth till sixteen was
spent on a farm ; moved to Tompkins county, New York. In 1843 he
came west and located at Rockford, Illinois, and farmed for about five
years, and then engaged in milling at New Milford, near Pocktbrd, for
two years. In 1861 he n^moved to Lee county, locating in Alto town-
ship. He is a Master Mason and also belongs to the I.O.O.F. In
politics he is a greeubacker. He was married in March 1856, to Emma
A. Morse, who died in February 1866. He was again married, July 4,
1868, to Mary Millenger, from whom he was divorced in October 1876.
In February, 1880, he was married to Louisa Bennett. He has two
children. He has a 220 acre farm under good cultivation, and other
property in Creston, Ogle county. Mr. Dunning is now permanently
located at Creston. His son, Irving H., manages and lives- on the farm
in Alto. Hattie M. (Mrs. B. Rice) now resides at Ellsworth,
Kansas.

Caroline Hill, farmer, Creston, widow of Peter Hill, was born in
Norway, August 31, 1826. She had limited common school advantages
in Norway, where her j^outh was spent. She emigrated to America in
1849, landing in the city of New York and coming directly west to a
Norwegian settlement on Fox river, La Salle county. In the spring of

%%

Isaac Thompson

ALTO TOWNSHIP. 567

1850 they went to Leland and bought eighty acres of land, remaining
fifteen years. They then removed to Alto, Lee county, in 1865. She
is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. Siie was married to
Peter Hill in 1848. Mr. Hill died October 31, 1875, aged fifty-five
years, leaving Mrs. Hill with ten children, three of whom are now
married, and the other seven are at home. Mr. Hill was an invalid
for many years, and the management of the farm largely depended
on Mrs. Hill. The children are: Peter P., of Lee station; Ole, of
Capron ; Julia Ann (Mrs. Thorson), of Alto; Caroline, Bertha M.,
Charles, Andrew O., Benjamin, "William P. and Nels at home.

Clang Osmundson, farmer, Creston, was born in Norway, February
17, 1834. He was educated in his native country, where his younger days
were spent at home on a farm. He came to America in 1854, landing
at Quebec, Canada, in June, and going directly to La Salle county,
Illinois, where he remained about six years. He then removed to
Fillmore county, Minnesota, staying about five years, and improving a
farm. He then sold out, and in the spring of 1865 returned to Lee
county, and located in Alto township. He has held several local town
offices, and is a republican politically. He belongs to the Evangelical
Lutheran church. On July 1, 1858, he was married to Carrie O. Hill,
who died March 29, 1878. He has six children, and owns a good farm
of 280 acres, well cultivated and stocked.

William S. Herriok, farmer and physician. Steward, was born in
West Kandolph, Orange county, Vermont, May 3, 1838. His parents
are both dead. He received common school and academic advantages
in West Kandolph, Vermont, also attended the University of Vermont,
at Burlington, through the sophomore year. Then going to Dart-
mouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, he graduated in 1860 with
the degree of A.B. He also graduated from Push Medical College,
Chicago, in February 1866. He left Vermont in August 1860, going
to Natchez, Mississippi, where he stopped a short time and then went
to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he staid till December 1860, and
returned north to Mendota, La Salle county, Illinois. In June, 1861, he
commenced reading and the study of medicine with Dr. E. P. Cook,
which he continued till July 1862, and then entered the quarter-
master's department, under Gen. Buell, but returned to Chicago in
October of the same year, and in December, 1862, entered the navy,
enlisting as an able-bodied seaman. At Cairo, Illinois, he was pro-
moted to hospital steward, serving as such and assistant surgeon till
February 1865, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to
Vermont he attended medical lectures at the University of Vermont, as
before stated, a season of about four months. He then went to Chicago
and attended Rush Medical College. After graduating he went to
34

568 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Troy Grove, La Salle county, Illinois, and practiced for two years, and
at Meriden, same county, one year. In the spring of 1869 he removed
to Willow creek, Lee county, and in 1871 to Alto township, his present
home, where he has been farming and practicing since. He is a Master
Mason and in politics a republican. He was married in September
1870, to Lucy Ann Reams, widow of Charles Reams. She is the
daughter of the late Robert Thompson. They have three daughters,

Daisy E., Delia A, and Lacy A., and two sons, William Y. and .

He has an 80 acre farm, stocked and under cultivation.

Hakmon Yan Patten, farmer. Steward, was born at Glenville,
Schenectady county, New York, July 14, 1830. He received a good
education in his native town and at Mount Morris Rock River Semi-
nary, Illinois. His youth and early manhood, till twenty-two, was nearly
all spent at Glenville on the farm. Coming west, he lived for about
nine months in Detroit, Michigan, and then came to this county and
located in Willow creek, being employed in a nursery for one year.
In March, 1861, he located in Alto township, where he has since
remained engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has held several town
offices ; is a Master Mason, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and in politics is a republican. He was married March 17, 1861, to
Hannah Nettleton, who died January 6, 1875. He was again married
September 4-, 1878, to Nettie Fuller. They have five children. He
has a farm of 280 acres.

William F. Carpenter, farmer. Steward, was born in Elmira,
Chemung county. New York, March 25, 1838. His education was
received partly in New York and partly in Illinois. Until about
eighteen his youth was spent at Elmira on a farm. In March, 1856,
he moved to Illinois, landing at Rochelle, wliere he remained one year
and then came to Alto in 1857. He has been school director, is a
member of the Baptist church, and is a republican in politics. In 1864
he was married to Gertrude Foster, who died January 17, 1872. He
has a fine farm of 240 acres, under high cultivation. Mr. Carpenter
has seen some trj^ing seasons since locating here, having lost his wife
and two children by death. He has paid in an early day nearly as
much for seed wheat as the crop brought, on account of failure of
crops. Mr. Carpenter had, when starting, $300, and after hard work
for a year, had his creditors pressed him, he would have been $500 in
debt, but keeping on in his usual determined way, is now one of the
substantial farmers of Alto township. In 1868, Mrs. Carpenters health
failing, they started for Minnesota in the hope of regaining it, but in
the spring of 1869 they returned, Mrs. Carpenter not being benefited.
In the fiall of 1869 they went to California, remaining eighteen months,
and returning in 1871 to their farm, where Mrs. Carpenter lingered

REYNOLDS TOWNSHIP. 569

till 18T2, when she died. Mr. Carpenter, with Miss Carrie Whitcorab
(now Mrs. George Addj^, of Wisconsin), were the first to organize a
Sundaj'-school in this township in the year 1858.

Gilbert F. Henning, farmer. Steward, was born at Piano, Kendall
county, Illinois, May 5, 1847. His mother is still living, but his father
died June 1881. Mr. Henning's father was one of the oldest settlers
in Illinois, coming west in 1836. Mr. Henning received a common
school education, mostly at Piano, where his youth and nianhood, till
the age of twenty-four, was spent. In 1871 he moved to Alto. In
politics he is a republican. He was married in October 1875, to Angie
S. Lawton. They have one child, Burt. Mr. Henning has a 275 acre
farm, and also owns an undivided half of 270 acres in Alto township,
and 160 acres in Reynolds township. He is also half interest holder in
the firm of Wesley Steward & Co., in the lumber and coal business.
He also buys and ships grain and stock. He is an enterprising young
business man, and stands well among his townsmen.

H. A. Robinson, postmaster and general store, Steward, was born
in Onondaga county, New York, in 1841. His parents are both living.
He received a common school education, partly in New York and
partly in Illinois. Till fourteen his youth was spent in New York on
a farni. In 1866 he removed to Illinois, locating at Paw Paw Grove,
and engaged in the cultivation of hops, and also at the carpenter trade.
One year was also spent in Bureau county. In 1871 he removed to
Steward, Alto township, building the first store in the town, and com-
menced merchandising. He has held the oflice of town clerk four
years, is a Master Mason, and in politics a republican. He was married
February 1879, to Ceriah F: Morris. They have one child, Lester.
Mr. Robinson has an eighty acre farm in Reynolds township, and car-
ries a full line of general merchandise.

REYNOLDS TOWNSHIP.

Not more than one or two sections of this township but that is
under partial cultivation. A portion of what is known as Brush
Grove is the only natural grove in Reynolds township. It is located on
the north border line in the northwest corner; Reynolds township was
first settled at this point. It is in surface a ridge of undulating or slightly
rolling of about one half of the township, running through it from east
to west. The north and south of this ridge of about the other half of
township is fiat, and in some parts swampy and wet. The soil is a rich
black loam. It has a good many miles of willow and maple hedge,
making it appear to the unaccustomed visitor as covered with groves.
There are quite a number of small' artificial groves of maple, willow

570 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

aud walnut planted by its residents. There is to all appearance an in-
exhaustible stone quarry, located one mile from the east line and nearly
in the middle of the township known as stone ridge. In an early day
parties came for miles around and quarried stone free. It has had
several owners, among them E,. M. Peile. It is now owmed by P.
Culkin. The Illinois Central Railroad Company once sent an
engineer corps to this place to test the strength, but found the stone at
that time unfit for abutments.

The peculiar beauty and attractiveness of this township is the good
class of outbuildings, fences, extra good water and roads, there being a
strong feeling toward bringing this portion of Lee county up to the high-
est possible state of cultivation and value. Its inhabitants are above
the average in culture and intelligence. It is claimed as an actual fact
that although the youngest in the county as to settlement it is leading
in almost every direction. It is only within a few years that the
wild ducks and geese were so troublesome in these parts that dogs and
boys were employed to save crops from their destruction, and even now
they call in such numbers as to cover acres.

The early settlers were Sewell Reynolds, now living near Rochelle.
Thomas Manier, living now in Wisconsin. Jonathan Whitehead moved
to Iowa, and since dead. John Herrington also went to Iowa, and
is now dead. Dudley C. Whitehead was an early settler, who moved to
Iowa and has since died. Daniel Brink, jr., now living at Rochelle,
was an earl}^ settler, as was Charles Gooch, now living on Sec. 17. The
latter is one of the largest stock operators and farmers in this township.

There are eight school districts in the township, one of tliese being
a union district, part of which is in Ogle count}^ The township has
a school fund of nearly $9,000 with seven school-houses, all nearly
new, costing about $5,000. The school trustees at present are J. C.
Piper, George Baley, and Thomas Patterson.

Sewell Reynolds was the first settler in Rej^nolds township, locating
in what is known as Brush Grove. Simeon Reynolds, now living six
miles north of Rochelle, was the first child born in same. Nelson
Morgan was the first death.

ORGANIZATION.

The electors of the township met April 5, 1859, at the school-house
in district No. 1, and organized by choosing Peter Mills moderator,
and R. M. Piele clerk. They then proceeded to elect the following
ofiiers by ballot: for supervisor, Thomas Minier; town clerk, John
C. Piper; assessor, Thomas Minier; collector, Dudley C. Whitehead;
overseer of poor, Daniel Brink, jr. ; commissioners of highways, E.
F. Gatten, Job Whitehead and David Douthett ; constables, Dudley

EErNOLDS TOWNSHIP. 571

C. Whitehead and John C. Piper; justices of the peace, Peter Mills
and Robert M. Piele. Thej then appointed E. F. Gatten, John Her-
rington and John C. Piper as a committee to divide the town into road
districts. The present town officers are supervisor, E. Wiener ;
town clerk, Thomas Paterson ; assessor, J. C. Piper ; collector, Jacob
Yauple; commissioners of highways, George Boley, Francis O'Rorke
and L, D. Wilcox ; constables, Eugene Horton and Charles Yauple ;
justices of the peace, R. M. Piele and Charles Ashenbrenner.

The cabin, 12x16, six feet high, used and built as a residence by
Horace Stearns, where the few first residents met to organize Reynolds
township and select its first officers, still stands near its original loca-
tion. It is now used as a pig-pen, and has been used as a corn-crib.
The first meeting was small, and consisted in part of J. C. Piper, R.
M. Piele, C. K Reynolds, Simeon Reynolds, Silas Shipee, W. M.
Hawkins and others. The building is located on Sec. 10.

CHURCHES.

The Methodist Episcopal church of the Flats, located on the south
line of Reynolds township and about four miles east of Bradford town-
ship, is a neat church building, 33x42, 16 feet high to eaves, and has
a seating capacity for about 200. Previous to the building of this
church a meeting was held in the fall of 1875 at the house of C. W.
Ament, the following persons being present : F. F. Farmlow, C. W.
Arnent, C. F. YanPatten, John A. Edgar, Daniel C. Miller, B. F.
Parker. The meeting was opened by prayer, and after this resolutions
were offered and passed toward an organization. F. F. Farmlow was
chosen chairman and C. W. Ament secretary ; C. W. Ament was
chosen clerk and treasurer, and he, with F. F. Farmlow, C. F. Yan
Patten, John A. Edgar, Daniel C. Miller and B. F. Parker were
elected as a building committee. They immediately went to work and
a building as above described was ready for use that fall. Soon after
the building was occupied meetings were held and church officers
were chosen and elected, consisting of A. N. Dow, treasurer, C. F. Yan
Patten, secretary, and John A. Edgar, C. W. Ament, A. N. Dow, C. F.
YanPatten, B. F. Parker, trustees. Since its organization the church
has been in a healthy and prosperous condition. It is now essentially
free from debt. It has a Sabbath-school every Sunday, averaging forty
members. The present officers are C. F. YanPatten, treasurer and
clerk, John A. Edgar, Chester Fosgate, B. F. Parker, C. F. YanPatten,
trustees. R. W. Records is its present pastor.

The Emanuel Church, of the Evangelical association (German), is
beautifully situated in Reynolds township, one mile east of Bradford
town line and four miles south of the Ogle county line. At a meeting

572 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

of fifteen members held in the school-house in district No. 4, Januarj^ 5,
1872, steps were taken toward building a church edifice. C. Gagstetter
was chosen chairman and Ernst Wiener secretary. A committee was
then appointed to canvass and see whether funds could be raised to
build the church and repoi-t. The committee met at a subsequent
meeting held at the same place, January 20, 1872, and reported
favorably. They then appointed a building committee, as follows :
John Kersten, George Sandrock, George Boley, Martin "Wagner and
Ernst Wiener. At the same meeting trustees were elected, as follows :
Ernst Wiener, George Kersten, John Neuman, George Sandrock and
George Boley ; Ernst Wiener was chosen treasurer, John Kersten
president, and George Boley secretary of building committee. The
building is 34x50, 18 feet high to eaves, having a steeple with bell
about 18 feet in height. The seating capacity is about 400. The cost
of building and furnishing was about $4,000. It is now (1881) being
renovated, the interior all being replaced by wood ceiling, at a cost of
about $900. It will then be one of the neatest country churches in Lee
county. Its present pastor is A. Goetschel : the trustees are E. Wiener,
George Boley, John Greise, Geoi'ge Kersten and Martin Wagner. The
Sunday-school averages about 150, The church was dedicated October
13, 1872, clear of debt, by raising $1,100.82. The church and Sabbath-
school are in a very flourishing condition.

BIOGRAPHICAL.
Robert M. Peile, farmer. Steward, was born in County Kilkenny,
Ireland, March 7, 1832. His parents died from cholera in 1848. He
was liberally educated in County Waterford. His youth, till nineteen
years of age, was spent at school. November 1, 1850, he removed to this
country, landing at Boston, Massachusetts. He soon came to Illinois,
locating at Mendota, and taught school near there for two years.
He then removed to Reynolds township (then called Brooklyn), and
was among the first to introduce the herding of cattle in this county.
He commenced herding 900, and has had 2,700 under his care at one
time. While herding in June, 1801, the tornado of that year struck
this section, devastating the country and killing many cattle and other
stock. He has held nearly all important offices in the township, has
bought and sold several thousand acres of land, improving a part of
the same and bringing it up to a high state of cultivation. He has
now a fine farm of 320 acres. Mr. Peile assisted largely in recruiting
men during the late civil war. He was married May 31, 1853, to
Mary Landers, who died February 14, 1872. He married again, June
17, 1874, Lydia J. Banning. He has six children, four by first and
two by second marriage. Mr. Peile is a nephew of the late Robert

REYNOLDS TOWNSHIP. 573

Moore Peile, M.D., F.R.C.S., and inspector-general of hospitals to the
forces in Ireland, senior surgeon to the Richmond hospital and house of
industry, and consulting surgeon to Dr. Stevens' hospital. This emi-
nent man died February 4, 1858, aged ninety-three years. Mr. Peile
is the oldest settler residing in this township. In June, 1880, his barn,
100x50, blew down during a tornado, also several trees. He has since
rebuilt. He has now about 200 head of cattle and 100 sheep. Mr.
Peile has one of the finest maple groves in Lee county, the plants for
which were brought from Des Moines, Iowa, about fifteen years ago.
His farm has fine hedge fences of osage and willow. He is one of the
best known men in Reynolds, if not in Lee county. The names of Mr,
Peile's children are: Maria M., Mrs. A, V. Sanborn, of Steward;
Ellen R., Mrs. William B. Sutlifi", of Beatrice, Nebraska ; Kittie A.,
John J., Minnie E. and Lydia J.

Martha E. Sandeock, farmer, Ashton, was born in Hesse-Cassel,
Germany, August 16, 1835, and is widow of George Sandrock. She
was educated in Germany, going to school from the age of six to four-
teen years. In 1848 her father with family (except herself, then living
with grandparents,) emigrated to America. After her school days
Mrs. Sandrock went out to work till nearly twenty-two years of age.
She then emigrated, landing at the city of New York in 1857, coming
directly w^est and locating in Bradford township. She removed to
Reynolds on October 4, 1867. She belongs to the Evangelical Asso-
ciation. She was married to Mr. Sandrock June 6, 1857. Her maiden
name was Thiele. She has five children living. Mr. Sandrock died
suddenly from lung fever, March 7, 1872, being sick only ten daj's.
Since then Mrs. Sandrock and children have managed the farm, with a
little hired help during harvest. She has had much sickness in the
family since her husband's death, and has had a struggle to meet pay-
ments, there being $5,400 due at Mr. Sandrock's death, but is now in
a fair way to have all clear in two years. She has a 240 acre farm
well under cultivation and fairly stocked. The children are George,
Charles, Christina, Annie C. and William.

Martin Wagner, farmer, Ashton, was born in Hesse-Cassel, Ger-
many, June 18, 1836. His parents are both dead. He had the usual
school advantages from six to fourteen years of age in Germany. His
youth till eighteen was spent in his native country. He w^as a tailor
for three years. He emigrated to America in 1854, landing in the
city of New York and coming directly west he located at Lee Center.
Remaining there two years he engaged at his trade as tailor, and then
he went to Chinatown and engaged at farming, working out five years
and renting two years. He then moved to Reynolds township. He
has held several local town ofiices and is a member of the Evangelical

574 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

association. He is a republican in politics. Mr. Wagner was married
in March 1863, to Martha Henert, They have six children. He has
a 240 acre farm under good cultivation.

John Trotter, farmer. Flag Station, Ogle county, was born in
Scotland, January 3, 1835. His parents died while crossing the ocean
emigrating to America, nearly 300 out of 400 passengers dying from
ship fever on the passage. Mr. Ti'otter had a partial education in
Scotland, but finished at Newburg Seminary, Vermont. His youth
till thirteen was spent in Scotland at school. In the year 1848 he
emigrated to America, landing at Quebec, Canada, June 4; remained
till November. His father being a high Mason and having died on the
way over with his wife and three children, he was taken in charge by
Masons of Quebec, and correspondence commenced with friends in
Scotland, who were thus found living in Orange county, Yermont.
These came and took charge of the children. Mr. Trotter remained
in Yermont about three years, working summers and attending school
winters. He then went to Massachusetts, acting as foreman of hands
engaged in cutting timber, and remained about one 3^ear. He then
returned to Yermont and attended the Newbury Seminary till 1855,
going in November of the same 3^ear to Rockton, Illinois. Here he
worked summers and taught winters till the spring of 1860. In
February of that year he removed to Reynolds township and farmed
till the fall of 1862, when he enlisted in Co. I, 14th 111. Cav., remain-
ing till the close of the war. He has since been teaching, buying
grain and farming. He was town assessor for five years; was census
enumerator in 1880, and is a republican in politics. He was married
July 6, 1873, to Sarah Patterson. They have three children. The
house now occupied by Mr. Trotter is the first one built in Reynolds
township by C. N. Reynolds.

George Boley, farmer, Ashton. Mr. Boley was born in Germany,
April 14, 1834. He was in school from six to fourteen in Germany,
and spent his youth till sixteen at home. After this for about six years
he worked out among farmers. When nearly twenty-three years of
age he emigrated to America, landing in New York city in May 1857 ;
came directly west and located at Franklin Grove. Here he worked
out among farmers for about eighteen months, and then rented land in
Lee Center for three years. He removed to Bradford township, liv-
ing three years, and then located in Reynolds. He has held local town
offices for over sixteen years. Mr. Baley is a member of the Evangel-
ical association, and has always been a republican. He was married
in October 1854, to Catharine Bawer. They have three sons, George
W., William, and Jacob, and three daughters, Martha E., Catharine,
and Mary. He has a 160 acre farm well cultivated and stocked.

REYNOLDS TOWNSHIP. 575

Chas. Gooch, farmer, Asliton, was born in the county of Suffolk,
England, September 1, 1835, but removed with his parents to Somer-
setshire when two years old. Here he remained till 1855, and then
emigrated to America, landing in the city of New York June 12,
1855. He came directly to Ogle county, Illinois, via Rockford, and
commenced work for Henry Mix at spile-driving on Rock river.
There being a disagreement as to wages, Mr, Gooch engaged a ferry,
continuing about six weeks, and then went to Beloit, Wisconsin, to see
a brother whom he had not seen for live years. His brother was fore-
man in a stone quarry and he went to work for four weeks with him.
Then both went about four miles east of Beloit and worked about
twelve months on the Racine & Mississippi railroad. In the winter
of 1856 he went to Rockton and was engaged that winter in feeding
stock, going in April to Ashton and working for William Hodges in a
stone quarry for about three years until Mr. Hodges died. He then
commenced farming, renting land of Col. John Dement in the spring
of 1861 at Washington Grove, remaining there four years. He then
rented a farm of Col. Dement in Reynolds township for four years,
and then he bought it and lived there four years. He then bought the
next adjoining land, his present home and farm, of M. J. Braiden.
Mr. Gooch is now owner of one of the best sections in Reynolds town-
ship. His mother is still living, is ninety-one years old, and hale and
hearty. He has been school director for seventeen years ; is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a republican. He was mar-
ried April 23, 1855, to Charlotta Gardner. They have eight children.
When Mr. Gooch landed in Chicago in 1855 he had but $2 as a starter.

Margaret Yaupel, widow of John Yaupel, farmer, Steward, was
born in Baden, Germany, March 25, 1833. She went to school till
thirteen years of age, then for nine years was employed as house ser-
vant in different homes, remaining from one to three years in a place.
She emigrated and arrived in the city of New York July 1855, going
directly to Mendota. Here she remained a short time and then went
to Amboy and remained one year employed in a hotel, going then to
Binghamton, near Amboy, where she was employed in a hotel, where
she married Mr. Yaupel, who was employed in a plow shop. After
marriage Mrs. Yaupel took in washing, beside her household duties.
They remained between two and three years, and a short time at Sub-
lette, then removed to Bradford township and rented a small farm, re-
maining about five years. He then came to Reynolds and bought
eighty acres near the Evangelical church, living there about five years.
Here Mr. Yaupel died in 1868. Previous to his death he sold the
eighty acres and bought 160 acres about four miles directly east in
Reynolds at $50 per acre. Mrs. Yaupel being left with seven small

576 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

children from three months to twelve years of age, and fearing pay-
ments could not be met, sold back eighty acres at $40 per acre, leaving
the eighty costing $60 per acre. The first two years after her hus-
band's death she kept hired help during the summer. After this, Mrs.
Yaupel with the children struggled alone until all of the $2,800 debt
was paid. She then bought 160 acres more at an average of $45 per
acre. She has paid $1,600 on one 80, and on the other $800. Her
second son is tax collector. They are members of the Evangelical
association and are among the industrious and worthy farmers of this
tow^nship.

John Griese, farmer, Ashton, was born in Hainebach, Germany,
April 15, 1831. His father and mother, both seventy-four years old,
are living with Mr. Griese. He received the usual education given in
Germany, and his youth and early manhood till thirty-three years old,
except five j^ears in the German army, were spent at home on the farm.
He came to America in 1864, landing in New York city, and came to
Reynolds township, Sec. 19, Lee county, the same year. He has been
collector two years, school director two terms. Is a member of the
German Evangelical association, and in polities is a republican. He
was married April 1857, to Dora Lizzie Ivlunchmidt. They have four
children. He has a 250 acre farm stocked and under good cultivation.

Eenst Wiener, farmer, Ashton, was born in Hesse-Cassel, Ger-
many, March 24, 1834. He attended school in Germany from six to
fourteen, and spent two years at Bremen painting. The rest of the
time till 1858 he was at home on the farm. On his arrival in America
he came to Lee Center, Lee county, Illinois, i-emaining about two
years, and then came to Bradford township and afterward to Reynolds,
in 1864. He has held the office of school trustee three years, town
clerk six years, school treasurer four years, and supervisor two years.
He is a leading member of the Evangelical association, and is a repub-
lican. He was married in 1860, to Elizabeth Huhnstock, and has a fine
family of eight children (one married). Just in harvest time in 1878,
about a month after finishing a new barn, it caught fire by some un-
known cause and burned up with its contents, including several colts.
It has since been rebuilt. He has a 200 acre farm, well stocked and un-
der good cultivation. Mr. "Wiener lives near the Evangelical church
building in Reynolds township, and was mainly instrumental in its
erection. Lie is one of the leading farmers in the township.

Henry Speek, farmer, Ashton, was born in Wurtemburg, Ger-
many, June 11, 1820. He attended school in Germany till fourteen
years of age, after this he hired out and worked on a farm till he was
twenty-six. He then emigrated to America, landing in the city ot
New York. Going at once to Buffalo, he hired out as a wood-chopper

EEYNOLDS TOWISTSHIP. 577

at 37|- cents per cord, pajnng 25 cents per day for board, working one
winter. In the spring he engaged in a shingle-mill at $8 per month
and board, remaining two or three years. He then engaged in a saw-
mill and worked abont three years. Then he removed to Illinois, lo-
cating in Bradford township, working one 3'ear for John Gatner. He
then rented the farm, Mr. Gatner furnishing one pair of oxen the first
year, and a pair of horses the next. He remained on this farm about
ten years, having cleared $600 and his team. He then bought his
present home of 120 acres. May 11, 1854, he married Mena Kept.
They are members of the Evangelical association. They have two
children, Hannah and George, and have lost four by death. His farm
is clear from debt, and is under good cultivation.

J. A. Gkiese, farmer, Ashton, was born in Hainebach, Germany,
November 4, 1838, and attended school from six to fourteen, and then
till eighteen lielped his father on the farm. His parents are both living.
In 1857 they came to America, landing in thecity of Baltimore, Mary-
land, with $80 capital. Coming directly west to Franklin Grove, he
hired out as farm hand during the summer and hauled wood in the
winter, going ten miles for his load and chopping the same himself.
He continued in this work about five years, after which he rented
eighty acres, vvorking it for four years. While working the rented
farm he first bought eighty and after forty acres and fenced the same
and built himself a house. At the expiration of his rented farm in
1866 he bought more land, and moved on his farm where he is now
living. He has held several local town offices, is a leading member of
the Evangelical association, and is a republican. He was married
February 28, 1863, to Anna Katy Kerst. They have seven children
and a farm of 447 acres well under cultivation.

Lydia a. Hoeton, widow of Nelson J. Horton, farmer, Rochelle.
Mrs. Horton was born September 29, 1832, in Otsego county. New
York, and spent her youth till fourteen at school. About 1847 she
moved with her parents to Bradford county, Pennsylvania. In 1851
she was married to Mr. Horton, and came west, locating in Ogle
count}^ and remained till 1863, when they removed to the present
home. In October, 1861, Mr. Horton enlisted in Co. H, 46th reg. 111.
Yols. (Capt. Stevens), and served through the war, being honorably
discharged as a veteran. He went from Fort Henry to Mobile, the last
struggle of the war. On his return he was found to be bi'oken in
health. Everything was done to raise him, but he continued an invalid.
In January, 1877, Mr. and Mrs. Horton, after selling all their personal
eftects, rented their farm and went to Wisconsin, hoping to regain his
health. He lingered till June 19, 1878, on their way toward home.
He died from hemorrhage of the lungs on the cars.

578 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

CHINA TOWNSHIP.

The first settlements in China township were made at or near the
head of what is now known as Franklin Grove. In June, 1835, Cyrus
Chamberlain, Lockwood Minor and Col. Nathan Whitney arrived in
Dixon. These parties were formerly near neighbors in Genesee
county. New York. Whitne}^, a few years before this, had moved into
Ohio. Chamberlain located a claim near Grand Detonrin wliat is now
Nachusa township, and Minor stopped with him. Mr. Whitney came
along the north side of the grove to near the present site of Franklin,
but not finding running water he made no claim, nor did he see or
hear of any others who had claimed in this vicinity. He returned to
Ohio in July, and in the fall came back to Rocky Falls, Whitesides
county, where he spent considerable time looking for a good location.
He wintei'ed in Joliet, and in the spring of 1836 he again visited this
vicinity, this time claiming a large piece of prairie three-quarters of a
mile square, the farm now owned by his son, A. R. Whitney ; he also
bought a timber claim of twenty-eight acres. Mr. Whitney hired
about ten acres of prairie broke in August. After arranging with
Lockwood Minor for the breaking of twenty acres the following June,
he again went back to Ohio, where he spent the winter of 1836-7. In
the meantime a few families had settled at the head of the grove. The
first who made claims there were James Holly and Cliarles Harrison.
This was in 1835. They soon sold out to Adam Yroman and went to
Iowa. The same year David Holly with his family settled on the S.W.
^ Sec. 35, T. 22, China. His house was built where Jacob Miller lives,
and Cummins Noe settled on the Creek south of the grove about one
and a quarter miles west of the railroad depot at Franklin Grove, and
about eighty rods north and a little west of Henry Hansen's house.
Early in 1836 Edward Morgan, from Indiana, settled farther up in
the grove near the middle of the S. ^ of Sec. 27, T. 22, China. Late
in August or early in September, 1836, Nathaniel C. Yale and his fam-
ily, of New York, came here and moved into a log house which stood
nearly opposite the " Dunkard " church, on what is now David Lah-
man's premises. This house was built by James Holl}^ Here they
lived till the spring of 1839, when they moved to the south side of the
grove. When the Yales came there were three families, numbering
sixteen souls, living at the grove : Cnmmins Noe, his wife and two
children ; David Holly and wife, and father, Jesse Holly, two children,
and Samuel Ayerhart, who lived with them ; Edward Morgan and
wife, his three children, and Nicholas Kinraan, a nephew of Morgan.
In the spring of 1836 Cyrus R. Minor, father of Lockwood Minor,

CHINA TOWNSHIP. 579

came to the new settlement, and from a man named Brown bought a
claim to eighty acres of timber and " all the prairie he could see." In
the following December Minor came west with his family. During
this month they lived with Morgan. January 1, 1837, the family moved
into their new house, which was built on the corner east of the Hughes'
Hotel, where Gabriel Miller lives. This j)rimitive dwelling had neither
floor nor windows, and for a door a blanket was used. Rails were laid
down upon which to place the bedding.

In March of 1837 Jeremiah Whipple came with his family in
wagon from western New York. Otis Timothy, then a young man,
drove his team from Buflalo, leaving there the latter part of January.
Whipple was ont here in 1836 with a buggy, and at that time made
arrangements with Jesse Holly for the construction of a saw-mill, for
which he (Whipple) brought machinery on his return in 1837. Joseph,
a bachelor brother of Jeremiah Whipple, came out with him, and lived
in the family for several years. They settled in the grove near the
creek, near what is now known as " Whipple's cave." In July of this
year Nathan Whitney returned to his claim accompanied by Jacob
John. They went to work getting out timber for a house to be built
on Whitney's claim. This is said to have been the first frame-house
between Chicago and the Mississippi river; it was framed and partly
inclosed in the fall of 1837, and completed the following spring. It
was put up at a great cost of labor and money (for those times). All
the lumber not made by hand was purchased in Chicago at nearly $200
per thousand. The family of Mr. Whitney arrived from Ohio in
February of 1838, and lived in the "Noe house" (log) on the south
side of the grove till the new house was completed ; this is now used
by A. R. Whitney for a vinegar house. Jacob John, who had a fam-
ily, settled where Joshua Lohman now lives.

In 1848 Harrison and W. Henry Hansen came from Maine, also
Philip Stahl. The three purchased a large claim from Erastus De
Wolf, which the}' paid for chiefly in labor. Most of it is land now
owned by the Hausens, wlio live west of the village of Franklin
Grove. It was first claimed by Noe, by whom it was sold to Bowman,
of whom it was bought by De Wolf, who, after disposing of it,
settled farther south on the Lee Center and Dixon road.

Dr. Gardner was also an early settler in that vicinity, having set-
tled where Wagner lives, in Nachusa, in 1838.

In 1839 Thomas Brown came here with DeWolf, the latter having
been here before, and made a large claim, intended for a Rhode Island
colony. Dr. Gardner was also connected with this projected enterprise,
but the original plan was not carried out. In 1838 Amos Hussey, ot
Pennsylvania, with his wife and two children, came to the grove in a

580 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

wagon. He lived in the "Noe house," on the south side of the grove,
during the winter, 1838-9, and then moved to near where he is now
living, a few rods north of the corporation of Franklin Grove, and built
there soon after. The same year Silas P. Tolinan located a few rods
east of where the Methodist Episcopal church stands, and bought from
A. Vroman a claim to half a section. About this time James Holly
returned from Iowa, and, together with Hussey, bought from Yroman
a large tract, for which they paid $1,400. In 1839 F. DeWolf claimed
the E. i Sec. 24, T. 21, China, the south half of which he entered. E. 0.
Thomas, who settled in the grove, a family of Coopers, Michael Brewen,
or " Little Mike," as he w^as called, and John Durfee, were early settlers.
The Coopers at first lived near the mill-dam, in JSTachusa township, on
land now owned by Samuel Lahman. Mike made a claim east of the
grove, and Durfee settled south of Whitney, where Gilbert lives. In
1843 W, C. Robinson claimed his farm in Sec. 10, T. 21, on the south
side of the Dixon and Lee Center road, and built on the same. In this
year C. Lahman and family came, in company with the Emmerts, all of
Pennsylvania. Lahman settled on the farm now owaied by his son
David, a little north of A. Hussey, having bought the property from
J. Holly, who then left the settlement. Then only the Hollys, Morgan
and Ayerhart lived on tlie north side of the grove. Two or three years
after his arrival Emmert built a grist-mill on the creek, wdiich in a few
years was bought by the Lalimans, who ran it many years. In 1844
the Riddelsbargers came, and settled on the north side of the grove.
From this time till 1854 the settlement grew^ slowly, but when the
railroad came through there w^as a marvelous change.

Most of the first settlers came from their eastern homes in wagons,
sometimes drawn by four-horse teams. Their life at that period was
simple and earnest. The spot they had chosen for their homes was one
of the fairest portions of Illinois. None thought that the beautiful
prairie spread out around them would ever all be settled. Fi-anklin
Grove, around which tliey built their cabins, was so named, it is said,
after the youngest son of " Father Dixon."

The creek which flows through it into the Rock river affords much
picturesque scenery. Along its banks, in places, the sandstone walls
reach a height of fifty feet. The beauty of this stream is unsurpassed,
if equaled, by anything in northern Illinois, excepting only a little of
the Illinois river. " The different varieties of oak, hickory, walnut,
elm, cherry, maple, and the soft woods except pines were found here
in large trees by the early settlers. Much of the large timber has been
cut off, and some of the ground is now tilled, but the area of the grove
b}' the growth of young trees has been increased." For several years
after the pioneers came deer were seen in the grove ; there were also a

CHINA TOWNSHIP. 581

few wild cats. Prairie wolves and badgers were numerous. The bluffs
along the creek contain much valuable building stone.

TRAGEDY.
The history of China records but one criminal murder, and this,
too, in the pure, primitive days. In the fall of 1847, or early the fol-
lowing winter, Moody Thompson, a widower, had bought a small place
on the bank of the creek, in the grove, about one and a half miles
" west of town." During the winter Thompson lived with the family
of whom he had purchased. In June this family left for St. Charles,
Illinois. Thompson being alone, sent for his friend Olig Gamerson to
come and stay with him. Accordingly on Wednesday evening the
latter went, having come from Inlet that afternoon. On the following
Saturday Jacob Wingert, while out hunting, had occasion to call at
their dwelling. He found their dead bodies in bed, where they had
been brutally murdered with their own axe. Their heads were split
open, and they had apparently died without a struggle. Their chest
was found broken open and rifled of its contents. Gold coin to the
amount of $60 or $70 was found remaining in the chest. Wednesday
evening Thompson had been to Mr. Riddelsbarger's to get a bag of
corn. He was not seen alive after this; but one feed for his hogs
seemed to have been taken out of the bag of corn. It is thought they
were murdered on the night Gamerson came. This was only three
days after the family left to go to St. Charles. They were ISTorwegians
by birth, and had been known here for nearly a year. They were
thought to be upright and peaceable. Considerable effort was made
to find the criminal or criminals, but the perpetrator of the crime has
never been found, and a veil of mystery hangs over the horrible deed.

SCHOOLS.

For several years the dwellers at the grove got along without a
school-house of any kind. One of the settlers of 1836 says that Louisa
Cooper taught a school near Whipple's, about 1839; and the next was
taught by Lorenzo Whiting, in a little log cabin in Tolman's timber;
the next in a little log house on the south side of the grove, by Harry
Godger. One winter Nathan Whitmore taught a school in the house
of T. L. Minor. He was hired by a club of boys in the neighborhood.
Girls and small boys were excluded. John M. Crawford at quite an
early day taught in the James Holly log house. In 1851 the log
school-house was built a little east of where Amos Ilussey is living.
The settlers each hauled a certain number of logs. One of their num-
ber is reported to have said : " By G — d if there is going to be any
quarreling about this, I will jerk my logs out."

582 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

ORGANIZATION.

The town of China was organized under the state law April 2,
1850. It was previousl}^ called Fremont. Russel Lynn, an early settler
in the south part of the township, whose native township in Maine was
China, urged the adoption of that name. China originally included
T. 21, and the S. i and Sees. 17 and 18 of T. 22 K, E. 10 E. of the
4tli P. M. In 1870 the west half was set off as the town of Naeliusa,
leaving the present area of China nine by three miles. Town meetings
were held at the house of II. S. Buckman till 1855, and subsequently,
with two exceptions, for several years at the Hughes Hotel. At the
first meeting Geo. It. Linn was elected supervisor, receiving thirty
votes; Josiah Wheat, clerk, forty-five votes; Christian Lahman, as-
sessor, thirty-nine votes ; Moses Curtis, collector, tw^enty-two votes ; over-
seer of the poor, B. Hunnura ; commissioners of highwaj^s, Jesse Hale,
W. C. Robinson, Nathan Whitney ; justice of the peace, Robt. B.
Sprout ; Moses S. Curtis and W. C. Robinson, constables. Forty-six
was the highest number of votes cast for any one ofiice. At this meet-
ing the town was divided into ten highway districts; a fence law was
passed ; decided measures were adopted to prevent stock from running
at large. At the next annual meeting seventy-seven was l^ie highest
vote cast for any ofiice. At a special meeting held at the Plughes
Hotel, March 1865, seventy-six votes were cast for raising a bounty,
and three votes were cast against the same. The census of 1880 shows
for China, exclusive of the village of Franklin Grove, a population of
681 souls. There are six school districts in the township. China is
strongly republican in politics, having given, in the election of 1880,
196 votes for Garfield, 97 for Hancock, and but 5 for the Iowa candi-
date. Of 262 votes polled at a general election in 1870, 199 were re-
publican. There were then about 450 legal voters in the township.
In 1873 China had 90 per cent less delinquent tax than any other town-
ship in the county of Lee. Besides her fine farms, large and costly
barns, elegant houses, China has for several years been noted for
blooded stock, including cattle, sheep, swine, and less notably, horses.
In 1854: or 1855 C. Lahman brought some high-grade short-horns from
southern Illinois. Henry Hansen commenced improving his cattle
soon after with good results. In 1867 Henry Hansen and Samuel Dy-
sart brought the first thoroughbred cattle here from central Illinois.
These were short-horns. In 1871 Joseph Lahman began breeding that
kind of stock. Mr. Dysart now has a herd of about fifty, one of the
finest in the state. He has at difiTerent times taken many diplomas.
Twice at the Iowa state fair his herd has come oflf victorious. In 1873
Mr. Dysart, at five different fairs in northern Illinois, took thirty-five
first premiums, and eighteen second premiums, in a total of thirty-nine

(deceased)

CHIWA TOWNSHIP. 583

contests, losing only four first premiums. These and other similar vic-
tories have made the "Pines Stock Farm" one of the most noted in
the northwest. In the fall of 1873 Mr. Hansen took premiums at
Rochelle, Illinois, on everything he had on exhibition from the "Grove
Stock Farm." Mr. Hansen has recently sold his entire herd. The
breeding of choice swine and sheep has been pursued by several stock-
men and farmers. In 1870 Sam. Dysart introduced the first pure-bred
Berkshire swine. The varieties of sheep include Cotswolds, Merinos,
and Lesters. Horses for speed were bred by Dr. Hewitt and George
Gilbert. The Norman and Clydesdale blood is now being introduced.
From these and other sources the improvement of stock has been much
advanced. The assessment value of stock in China township in 1875
was $70,000.

Tree culture had here an early history. In 1843 Father Whitney
established the Franklin Grove nursery, and began grafting on stock
raised from seed that was brought from Ohio in 1838. In 1846 he
sent forth his first advertisement. From that time until the present
his nursery has had a steady growth, until now he has an orchard cov-
ering more than a hundred acres. He also added other fruits, and
ornamental shrubs and trees. This, at present, is an attractive spot.
To this nursery, and the thrift and enterprise of residents in this
vicinity, must be attributed the beauty of shade and ornamental trees
for miles around. In September of 1872 W, H. Hansen shipped to
the Iowa state fair ninety-seven varieties of apples and fifteen varieties

of pears.

MILITARY.

Of the noble war record of Lee county China claims a full share.
Two companies were organized at Franklin Grove. Besides these,
several men went from China in other regiments. Co. G, 75th 111.
Inf., enlisted at the grove, and organized by choosing Joseph Williams
captain ; David Sanford first lieutenant, and Robert L. Irwin second
lieutenant. They were mustered into the United States service
August 22, 1862, with the legal number of non-commissioned ofticers
and seventy privates. We do not know how man^^ of these were from
China, as it then existed ; but probably much the greater part, if not
neari}^ all, were from this township. At Perry ville, Kentucky, the 75th
suff'ered terribly. Here, in their first fight, twenty-two of Co. G fell.
Co. C, 35th 111. Yol. Inf., was organized at Springfield, Illinois; mus-
tered into the United States service for three years September 7, 1861 ;
reenlisted as veterans December 23, 1863. The original officers were:
captain, Alexander P. Dysart, promoted major April 18, 1862, colonel
1863, resigned July 1863 ; first lieutenant, Benson Wood, promoted
captain May 1, 1862, resigned January 29, 1863 ; second lieutenant,
35

584 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Daniel Riley, promoted first lieutenant May 1, 1862, wounded 1863 ;
sergeants: fii'st, Peter F. Walker, promoted second lieutenant May 1,
1862, captain January 26, 1863, major October 5, 1864; Adaniram
Keen, discLarged August 5, 1862; Lindsey Black, veteran, promoted
first sergeant July 20, 1863, first lieutenant October 5, 1864; David A.
Glenn, discharged January 15, 1862; Wesley J. Williams, promoted
first sergeant May 1, 1862, second lieutenant January 20, 1863, first
lieutenant January 30, 1863, resigned October 5, 1864; corporals: B.
F. Dysart, promoted quartermaster-sergeant September 9, 1862, second
lieutenant Co. C, January 29, 1863, resigned October 5, 1864; John
0. Lahman, promoted sergeant February 1862 ; Samuel S. Worley,
veteran, reduced per request; William Seitz, promoted sergeant Janu-
ary 1, 1863, wounded at Stone River; Sidney Davis, tratisferred to the
regular service December 10, 18f)2 ; George E. Crumb, Thomas Flynn,
and Samuel Fish. Of this company the following deaths are noticed :
Daniel Riley, first lieutenant, January 20, 1863, from wounds ; J.
Lindsley Black, first lieutenant, March 19, 1863; Charles Santee,
killed November 31, 1862; Jacob C. Sunday, July 20, 1864; Henry
Hoifmaster, May 17,1862; John Fahey, killed April 7,1862; John
Adams, December 19, 1861 ; Charles H. Evans, June 1862; Jeremiah
H. Stevens, killed December 31, 1862; Geoi'ge W. Schmucker, June
17, 1864; Joseph Lascert, killed June 27, 1864; John Rousch, 1«63 ;
George W. Conrad, killed May 19, 1865; Luther D. Wood, April 28,
1865 ; Aurelius Gaslin, 1864. Of the 115 about 30 did not live in
China township when they enlisted. The larger part of these came
from Ashton ; a few from Ogle county. During their service the com-
pany were in more than twenty engagements, beginning with "bloody
Shiloh" and ending with Goldsboro and Raleigh, North Carolina, in-
cluding the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, Stone River, Tennessee,
Kenesaw Mountain and Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, siege of Atlanta,
march through Georgia, and the Carolina campaign.

The village of Franklin Grove is situated in the N.E. J Sec. 1, T.
21, R. 10. The first movement toward making a town here was in
1848 or 1849, when Christian Lahman, who owned the southern part
of what is now Franklin, laid out in lots about ten acres in the south-
western part of the village. The only building then in this vicinity
was the Minor House, which was used by various parties as a hotel
until the new one was built on the same site.

In 1851 George W. Pense came to this place, and built a blacksmith
shop near the corner south of the hotel. At the same time Webster
came, who succeeded Thomas in the hotel. Davis also came, and moved
into the Minor log house. In the fall of 1851, or the following spring,
Webster built a stone building for a store on the corner west of where

CHINA TOWNSHIP. 585

George Engel is living. In this building Charles Ambrose opened a
dry-goods store, and L. Yale clerked for him. In 1852 Charles Bill
put up the first shoe shop, and Dr. Clark put up a barn where Charles
Hansen is living. In May of 1851: H. I. Lincoln brought a stock of
goods from Kendall county, and bought from L. Yale the store occu-
pied by Ambrose. Ambrose then built for a store the present residence
of F. A. Zoeller; sold out to Lahman & Bill ; went to Texas in 1855,
and soon died of consumption. All who knew him speak highly of
the pioneer merchant. In 1856 Lahman sold out his interest to Bill,
and built a large store on the corner, now occupied by the residence of
G. Miller. He failed the same fall, and was closed out at auction. He
is now a successful farmer in one of the western states.

The first post-office was established about 1848. A. Brown was the
first postmaster, A. R. Whitney mail carrier. The route then was
from Rockford to Peru. "Whitney brought the mail once a week from
Dixon on horseback ; for this he received half the emoluments of the
office, which amounted the first quarter to thirty-seven cents. Dr.
Clark was the second incumbent, and during his term the name of the
office was changed to Chaplain. A. R. Whitney received the next ap-
pointment. His deputies were Ambrose, Bill and Merritt. Whitney's
gross receipts for the first quarter amounted to only $4.75. In May of
1854 Dr. George W. Hewitt located here, and sold drugs on a small
scale. A. L. Merritt soon succeeded him in this line of business, and
in the fall of 1855 John C. Black located here and bought in with Mer-
ritt. The next year Black was made postmaster.

Franklin Grove had now fully attained the dignity of a country
village. But in the meantime the new town had begun to develop.
This was laid out in 1853, by A. W. Tolman, C. Lahman, and F. D.
Robertson, The land in the northern part was owned by Tolman, the
other by Lahman. In 1854 the Dixon Air Line of the Chicago &
Galena Union railroad was completed through here, and the first reg-
ular train run to Dixon December 3, 1854. The same day A. B. Fitch
came and began as agent for the railroad company. This position he
has held nearly ever since. This fall Reuel Thorp built one of the
first houses in the new town, and began in the grain business. Joseph
Williams built on Spring street where Thomas lives. L. M. Blaisdell
built on next lot south. At this time Simmons was living in a little
house where Gilbert now lives. W. J. Leake started a harness shop
in the small building now occupied by U. C. Roe for an office and
medicine room. The building was then owned by John D. Chambers,
who worked for Leake. In 1854 Williams put up the first building on
Elm street south of the railroad. This was an elevator on the site of
Smith's new elevator. In the rear of this building he kept a small

586 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

grocery store. S. J. Smith & Co. and L. M. Blaisdell began in the
lumber business. In the winter of 1854-5 Rufus Covell came from
Rochelle and started a small furniture store just south of William's
elevator. The following spring Robert Scott built on Spring street,
where Dr. Roe, jr., now lives, and also the warehouse now owned by
H. I. Lincoln ; Conrad Durkes built on Elm street, and in the fall
brought a stock of dry goods from Oregon, Ogle county, the first sold
in the new town. Mix & Losey built the store on the corner of Whit-
ney and Elm streets, and a few weeks later began selling dry goods.
Lagerquist opened the first shoe shop ; Jonas Clisbee built, for a hotel,
the house in which Dr. IJ. C. Roe lives, and this year Josiah Hughes
put up his three-story stone hotel building in the old town of Chaplain.
The work on this building was done by George Engel, who came to
the town in 1855. The men who settled the village of Franklin
Grove were young or in the prime of life. They had small means,
but were energetic. The changes that have occurred here in business
circles are too numerous to mention. Rufus Covell went to Iowa in the
spring of 1864, and died there near his home at Nevada the following
August, Mix is living in Oregon, Ogle county, a retired merchant.
Losey returned to Ohio, and died of consumption soon after he settled
here. When the town was incorporated the streets had received but little
attention. The names of those running north and south, naming from
the west, are State, Spring, Elm, Walnut, and Sycamore; from the
north, North, Middle, Whitney, Franklin, South, and Lahman.

INCORPORATION.

In 1857 the town of Franklin Grove was incorporated under a
general law in force at that date. On May 11, 1857, the citizens of
the incorporated district met to vote on the question of incorporation ;
and after a president and clerk were sworn, 36 votes were cast for and
17 against incorporation. Josiah Hughes, Jonas Clisbee, L. M. Blais-
dell, S. J. Smith and A. W. Tolman were elected trustees, with L. M.
Blaisdell president ; S. J. Smith was chosen clerk, and Jonas Clisbee
was appointed street commissioner for the ensuing year. The bounda-
ries of the corporation corresponded to those of the N.E. ^ of Sec. 1,
T. 21. At a meeting on October 6, 1857, a petition signed by fifteen
citizens was presented, calling for sidewalks on some of the principal
streets. October 8 it was ordered that a tax of fifty cents on the liun
dred dollars be levied on all real estate for building sidewalks, cross-
walks, etc. December 28 C. Durkes was appointed treasurer of the
corporation. At a meeting May 12, 1858, the following financial re-
port was adopted: bills allowed and ordered paid, $161.17; moneys
received, $124.97 ; dues unpaid, $34.05. In 1864 alleys were opened
and about two miles of sidewalk was laid.

CHINA TOWNSHIP. 587

A special charter for the town of Franklin Grove was approved by
the state legislature in February 1865. It provided for the election of
six councilmen and a president, a police magistrate and a town con-
stable, each for four years ; and fixed the date for the first election
under the same March 1, 1865. The limits of the town were but
slightly changed, a small strip south of the i-ailroad on the east side
being omitted. Small additions have since been made on the southern
side.

The first election under the new charter resulted in the choice of
C. Durkes for president ; Josiah Hughes, J. J. Lichty, Joseph Will-
iams, Jonas Clisbee, Geo. W. Brayton and Geo. H. Taylor were
elected councilmen. On motion, Oscar Hughes was elected clerk and
W. C Robinson treasurer for the ensuing year.

In 1872 the town was chartered under the state law of incorpora-
tion. The issue at the municipal elections has generally been the
license question. Of those who have most strongly opposed the
license system may be named Geo. H. Taylor, C. Durkes, Charles
Hansen, Ezra Wood, and Thomas Scott. With the railroad came a
demand for liquor. E. McGuire, a noted character in the annals of
this town, set up a rum-shop in 1854 on State street near the railroad.
A year or two later it was torn down by a body of citizens and his
liquors emptied in the street. This act led to considerable litigation.
The irrepressible McGuire again located near the Hughes hotel and for
many ^^ears after waged war with the anti-license element, claiming
that if he had been let alone he would have converted the people to
the cold-water plan, so much was he given to watering his stock. In
1861 a license w^as granted, and for a few years a bad state of things
seemed to have prevailed. To use the language of a prominent citizen
acquainted with the facts, " The legality of the town board was soon
after questioned ; its ordinances were obeyed or not as suited the indi-
viduals ; lawlessness and drunkenness were rampant ; gambling was
carried on day and night in low places." Elections for town boards
were not regularly held, nor were the proceedings of meetings al-
wa_ys recorded. " Tlie board ordered walks repaired and road labor
performed ; scarcely anyone would obey. The walks became unsafe ;
drunken men staggered in the streets until the thing became intoler-
able." The new charter of 1864 made strict provision for the regula-
tion of the liquor question. In July of that year three roughs with
drawn revolvers tried to intimidate the president of the board, C.
Durkes, for the purpose of obtaining permission to gamble in one of
the saloons. In a melee that ensued Samuel Simmons, an inoffen-
sive citizen, was severely injured. These were the dark days in the
history of Franklin Grove. No licenses were issued from 1867 till

588 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

1877, when after an exciting canvass the license party prevailed.
There are now three saloons in the village, each paying a license of
$200.

According to the censns of 1880 the town has a population of 730.
It has never contracted a bonded indebtedness. In 1860 H. I. Lincoln
built the first substantial store building in the new town. In 1864
Frast and Hanger put up a large elevator, now owned by D. F. Lah-
man. In 1867 P. C. Rooney built his store. In 1871 Black and
Twombl}' put up the block now owned and occupied by Black and
Durkes. Canterbury built in 1872. The Band Hall was built in 1874,
the wind grist-mill in 1875, and the Franklin Hotel in 1876.

The only paper here that has survived its infancy is the Franklin
Grove "Reporter." Its sliort-lived precursor was the Franklin Grove
" Gazette," printed in Dixon ; it lived only a few months. The "Re-
porter " was started by John Blocher, editor and proprietor, and dates
from August 1869. At the close of its second year D. H. Spickler
bought the paper. He ran it till May 1875, when T. W. Scott be-
came the manager.

Dr. D. H. Spickler was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania,
March 18, 1830. He came west in 1853, and in 1857 graduated from
Rush Medical College, Chicago. For several years he was associated
with Dr. G. W. Hewitt, of this place. After his connection with the
" Reporter" he edited the Mendota " News " two years. He then set-
tled to the practice of his profession at Asliton, where he died October
28, 1879. He was buried in the Franklin Grove cemetery. Scott sold
out to D. B. Senger, the present editor and manager, August 5, 1876.
The "Enterprise" was edited by P. O. Sproul from June, 1879, till
November, 1880, the limits of its existence. The " Electric Light "
was commenced in June of 1881, by A. D. Webb and W. G. Blocher.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Franklin Grove Lodge, No. 264, A.F. and A.M., was chartered
October 6, 1858. The charter members were L. M. Blaisdell, Daniel
B. McKinney, Nathan .Whitney, A. R. Whitney, William Forbes,
Reuel Thorpe, C. Durkes, J. C. Black, George W. Hewitt, A. B.
Fitch, P. C. Rooney, M. Decker, Isaac F. Forbes, Thomas L. Wood.
The first ofiicers were L. M. Blaisdell, W.M.; D. B. McKinney, S.
W.; William Forbes, J.W.; Reuel Thorpe, Treas.; C. Durkes, Sec"; A.
B. Fitch, S.D.; P. C. Rooney, J.D., and J. C. Black, Tyler. The
present officers are Samuel Dysart, W.M.; B. L. Spence, S.W.; E. E.
Faunce, J.W.; A. R. Whitney, Treas.; P. Runyan, Sec; Jacob Gall,
S.D.; S. Mong, J.D.; T. W. Scott, Chap.; A. D. Morrison, S.S.;
Edward Drummond, J.S.; J. B. Spafford, Tyler. For eighteen years

CHINA TOWNSHIP. . 589

A. R, Whitney has been treasurer of the lodge, and P. Riinyan has
been secretary for twelve years. In the winter of 1867-8 the lodge
met in the new hall over Rooney's store. This hall they purchased
in the following year for $3,000. Previously meetings were held in
the Hughes House, where the lodge was organized. Its membership
is now fifty-five, only two of whom are out of the State of Illinois.
Since the last return to the Grand Lodge, August 1880, the Franklin
Grove Lodge has sustained the loss of three members, Dr. G. W. Hew-
itt, Thomas L. Wood, and L. C. Fish. •

Nathan Whitney Chapter, ISTo. 129, Poyal Arch Masons, was char-
tered October 9, 1868. Charter members were P. C. Rooney, Nathan
Whitney (in honor of whom the chapter was named), A. R. Whitney,
A. B. Fitch, Geo. W. Hewitt, Reuel Thorpe, William Forbes, J. M.
Forbes, M. Flint, Samuel Dysart, H. H. Glenn, W. H. Emerson, J. L.
Strock. The first officers were P. C. Rooney, H.P.; A. B. Fitch, E.
K.; Nathan Whitney, E.S.; W. H. Emerson, C.H.; Wra. Forbes, P.S.;
Reuel Thorpe, R.A.C.; A. R. Whitney, Treas.; H. H. Glenn, Sec;
Geo. W. Hewitt, M.3d V.; J. M. Forbes, M.2dY.; Samuel Dysart, M.
1st v., and M. Flint, Tyler. The present officers are P. C. Rooney,
H.P.; H. A. Black, E.K.; James Crombie, E.S.; H. Bly, C.H.; Samuel
Dysart, P.S.; E. E. Faunce, R.A.C ; A. R. Whitney, Treas.; P. Run-
yan. Sec; J. R. Whitney, M.SdY.; Wm. F. Clark, M.2dV.; Wm.
Stewart, M.lstY.; T. W. Scott, Chap. (G. W. Hewitt, deceased); Will-
iam Flint, Steward, and J. B. Spafford, Tyler. The present member-
ship is forty-five. A. R. Whitney has been treasurer since the organ-
ization of the chapter. For eleven years Philip Runyan has acted in
the capacity of secretary.

Lady Franklin Chapter, No. 22, O.E.S., was organized June 13,
1872. The first officers were P. C. Rooney, Worthy Patron ; Mrs. C.
K. Black, Worthy Matron ; Mrs. M. J. Whitney, A.M.; Mrs. O. K.
Griswold, Treas.; Mrs. C. A. Black, Sec; Miss A. M. Runyan, Cond.;
Mrs. S. E. Spickler, A.C.; Mr. G. D. Black, Warder ; Mrs.' Julia Hau-
sen, Adah ; Mrs. Lydia Faunce, Ruth ; Mrs. Madeline Dysart, Esther;
Mrs. Mary Durkes, Martha ; Miss Mollie Forbes, Electa ; Mr. N. C.
Roe, Sentinel. The present officers are Mr. Samuel Dysart, W.P.;
Mrs. Jennie Dysart, W.M.; Mrs. M. J. Whitney, A.M. (pro tem);
Mrs. R. M. Blaisdell, Treas.; Miss A. M. Runyan, Sec; Mrs. S. E.
Spickler, Cond.; Mrs. Belle Thompson, A.C.; Mr. J. Forbes, Warden ;
Miss E. H. Runyan, Adah ; Mrs. M. J. Forbes, Ruth ; Miss L. J. Run-
yan, Esther ; Miss C. E. Fitch, Martha ; Mrs. Mary Durkes, Electa ;
Mr. J. B. Spafford, Sentinel. The membership numbers sixty-six.

Lodge No. 409, I.O.O.F., Franklin Grove, was organized October
11, 1870. The charter was issued to S. W. Reigle, George Fishback,

590 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

George Engel, W. H. Bassler, and Nelson Strong, At the first meet-
ing fourteen were admitted by card and initiation. In 1871 the lodge
had forty-five active members. In 1880 eighteen names were reported
to the Grand Lodge. The present officers are John Blocher, JST.G.;
Solomon Sunday, V.G.; Kincaid Runyan, Treas.; S. "W". Reigle, Sec;
Geo. Engel, P.G.; S. W. Reigle, D.D.G.M.

March, 1874, the Daughters of Rebecca, Astoria Lodge, No. 67, re-
ceived their charter, and S. W. Reigle instituted the lodge.

"Warren Encampment, No. 122, M'as organized at Franklin Grove in
1870. In February, 1880, it was removed to Amboy.

RELIGIOUS.

At quite an early date religious meetings were held by the Method-
ists, German* Baptists, and the Universalists, of the Franklin Grove
settlement. Log cabins and log school-houses served for temples
of worship. Even the saw-mill on the creek was sometimes brought
into requisition ; and when in a busy time it was considered necessary
to run it Sundays, the water would be shut off only long enough for
the assembled worshipers to go through with their praises and devo-
tions. The writer did not learn the denomination, if denominational
they were, by which these " saM^-mill " meetings were conducted. We
doubt not, however, that they were of the genuine stamp. The first
class of the Methodist church was formed by Father McKane, the Rock
river missionary, probably before 1840, and C3a'us Minor was leader.
The class met at his house and at Morgan's, and perhaps elsewhere.
" In 1853 and 1854 R. R. Bibbins, of Light House Point (Ogle county)
circuit, preached here once in four weeks Sabbath evening. In the fall
of 1854 Brother Henry Martin, then stationed at Light House Point,
came here and made an effort to raise the scattered membership ; he
reorganized the class with James Welsh leader." The class then met
in the log school-house at the head of the grove. Brother Welsh
Sister Rogers and Joseph Williams were often the only members
present ; occasionally old Sister Morgan would attend class. In 1854
Docter Roe and his wife were members of this class. In the fall of
1855 M. Decker was sent to Lee Center, and Franklin Grove became a
part of his charge. This year the first quarterly meeting was held in
the new school-house, Luke Hitchcock, the presiding elder, being
present. A. D. Field, H. Richardson and Brother Penfield followed
M. Decker as pastors of the society. In the fall of 1860 W. T. Harlow,
principal of the Rock River Seminary at Mt. Morris, came twenty
miles to fill his appointments here. " Garrison's " and Grand Detour
were then the other points on the circuit. In the fall of 1861 Rev.
Brookins came and remained two years. In 1862 the Universalist

CHINA TOWNSHIP. 591

church was used for worship. During this year many were added to
the church ; three classes were formed. In 1863, during the pastorate
of C. W. Wright, the church building was begun on the corner of
what are now known as State and Middle streets, in the western part
of the village, very near where the Tolmans settled. In the same
year a board of trustees was chosen, among whom were James H.
Welsh, A. R. Whitney, and Joseph Williams. In the fall of 1866 H.
J. Husted organized the Sabbath-school, with twenty-five scholars.
The same year twenty were added to the church. The school now has
an enrollment of seventy-eight, E. A. Wood, superintendent. The
pastors not mentioned have been C. Webster, "Brother Penfield," L.
M. Anderson, H. T. Giles, John Williamson, A. P. Hatch, S. T. Snow,
James Bush, A. J. Scott, J. Wardle, J. C. Cooper, and A. H. Schoon-
raaker. The present officiary of the church are : trustees, George H.
Taylor, A. S. Jacobs, E. A. Wood, George Newcomer, John D. Sitts,
and M. L. Gaver ; stewards, George Newcomer, John Welsh, H. L.
Gaver, H. Street, E. A. Wood, Mrs. Durkes, and Mrs. Forbes ; pastor,
A. H. Schoonmaker. The church is clear of debt and has a member-
ship of about fifty.

On July 12, 1881, the Dixon District Camp-meeting Association
was organized at Franklin Grove. The officers of the association are :
president. Rev. L. Hitchcock, D.D. ; vice-president, Hon. Isaac Rice;
secretary. Rev. I. E. Springer ; treasurer, Rev. A. H. Schoonmaker ;
executive committee. Rev. A. H. Schoonmaker, Rev. F. P. Cleveland,
Rev. R. M. Smith, Rev. G. W. Carr, Hon. F. G. Petrie, R. B. Sproul,
and James Brown. Ten acres of ground just outside of the village
corporation, west of the Methodist Episcopal church, was bought
from I, Zug for $1,000. This is being fitted up, and is to be used for
a permanent camp-meeting ground. The first meeting opened August
31, 1881.

The Revs. W. W. Harsha and E. Erskine, and Elder Charles Cros-
by, were a committee appointed by the Rock River (O. S.) presbytery
for the organization of a Presbyterian church at Franklin Grove. Ac-
cordingly the committee met in the public school room January 1,
1861. The following persons presented themselves, and were duly
organized under the name of the Franklin Grove Presbyterian church :
Thomas Scott and his wife, Elizabeth ; George H. Brewer and Mrs.
Abbie D. Brewer, James Leidy, Mary A. Girton, Mrs. A. Twiss, Mrs.
C. D. and Mrs. S. Loorais, Jeremiah Ketchum and Mrs. Phoebe Ketch-
ura; George W. Brayton and Lucy A. Brayton by letter; and on pro-
fession of faith, Mr. P. Y. Van Yrankin, Richard Pollock, Miss Mary
A. Pollock, Mr. J. Gilbert and Mrs. Elizabeth Gilbert, Silas P. Tol-
man and his wife, Clarinda. Mr. C. D. Loomis and Jeremiah Ketchum

592 HISTORY OF LEE COUJSTTY.

were elected elders. C. D. Looniis was the first clerk. G. W. Bray-
ton, G. W. Hewitt, G. W. Pitcher, G. H. Brewer and Jeremiah
Ketchum were the first board of trustees. At a meeting February 9,
1861, George H. Brewer was elected secretary of the church and board
of trustees. There had been occasional preaching a short time before
the organization was effected. W. W. Harsha was the first pastor.
During January of 1861 Mrs. Yan Yrankin, Mrs. Jane Hussey, James
Butler and Mrs. Sarah Butler were admitted; in June, 1862, James
M. Dysart, Martha A. Yan Yrankin, Gertrude M. Yan Yrankin, Alice
M. and Lucy A. Brayton. September 19, 1863, G. W. Brayton,
Thomas Scott and J. Gilbert were ordained and installed as ruling
elders by W. L. Lyons, the second pastor. At the same date Dr. G.
W. Hewitt, his wife, Carrie D., and Mrs. Sophia Brown were received
on examination ; and Mrs. E. M. Lyons by letter. The Rev. Lyons
has been succeeded in the pastorate by W. Hare, A. F. Morrison,
Spencer Baker, S. N. Yail, W. C. Cort, F. C. Cochrane, and H. S. Jor-
dan. A Sunday-school was organized in 1857, with T. W. Scott as
superintendent, in which capacity Mr. Scott has acted ever since with
slight intermissions. This was a union school, and it now numbers
about 100 members. The present membership of the church it sixteen.
In 1865 this society conjointlj^ with the Lntiierans (German) built a
church, which they have since used in common.

The German Lutheran church was organized under the preaching
of Rev. William Ulil, and meetings were held in Lincoln's Hall, the
Universalist church, and the scliool-house, previous to the building of
the church, about one year. George Engel, George Fishback, George
Kreitzer and John Genk constituted the first board of trustees. The
pastors have been William Angelberger, who organized the Sabbath-
school, Charles Young, C. A. Renter, H. Staufi'enberg, and Rev. Stolle.
The present trustees are Joseph Goether, Ernst Dietrick, Z. Wendel,
and Henry Gonnerman. For several years the church has been weak,
there having been a dissension which has divided its members.

The German Baptist church, familiarly styled the Brethren or
Dunkards, has great financial and numerical strength. The first
families of this faith to settle here were the Lahmans and the Emmerts,
who came in 1843. The following year the Riddlesbargers came, and
about this time meetings were held in their respective dwellings and
subsequently in the log school-house. Father Emmert was the first
preacher. Christian Lahman was also a minister in this church. The
first liouse of worship was built on the Dixon road in the present town
of Nachusa. This was a small grout house, about 20x30 feet, on the
south side of the IST.E. J Sec. 5, T. 21. It has since been twice re-
modeled, until its dimensions are 35x60 feet. About fifteen years ago

CIITlSrA TOWNSHIP. 593

a'^church was built at Ashton. In the fall of 1879 the central church
was built at Franklin Grove, a little northwest of the village. This is
a large building. In these three edifices services are alternated. This is
styled the Rock River church. Its present membership is about 175.
Seven or eight years ago it was 300, but many have left, thus reducing
the number. The church has no officiating pastor ; but they, so to
speak, do their own preaching ; that is, there are two resident ordained
elders or bishops, arid others of inferior orders, there being three orders
of ordination in the church. These bishops and elders share the labor
of preaching the gospel. The most apparent characteristics of this
people are the simplicit}' of their dress and worship, and in business
their industry and thrift, with a lack of what is commonly called enter-
prise or public spirit.

The Universalist church of Franklin Grove was organized by
Thomas J. Carney, who wrote the constitution, by-laws, etc. In 1856
a church was built on the corner of Elm and Bradford streets. While
it was building meetings were held in the house of Jonas Clisbe, now
Dr. U. C. Roe's dwelling. The Hausens, Uncle John Fish, "old man
Clisbe," who had the contract to build the church, John C. Black and
Isaac Twombly were early members of the organization. But many
years prior to this organized society there was preaching at Hansen's,
Whipple's, Cooper's, and at other private houses. T. J. Bartholomew
was the first preacher. J. O. Barrett and C. F. Dodge preached each
two years. The Rev. Chase and the Rev. Cook were pastors, Cook
being the last. For several years there have been no regular services,
and the society, once quite flourishing, seems now to be nearly
broken up.

SCHOOLS.

The first and only school-house in Franklin Grove was built in
part in 1856, on the corner of Elm and Bradford streets. It was then
30 X40 feet. In 1867 thirty feet in length was added, making it 30 X 70
feet. The first principal was T. W. Scott, ably assisted by his wife.
The school was soon graded into four departments, one primary, two
intermediate, and one high school. Mr. Scott was connected with the
school in all seventeen years. The other principals were Moler,
Wood, Whetstone, Newton, and Webb. Of the teachers who deserve
mention by reason of their long or eflticient service, or both, are Miss
Hattie Walters, Miss Young, Julia M. Brackett, Virginia Brown,
Sophia Town, Mrs. Tyler, Maggie Bailey, Miss Ramsdell, Bricy
Gaver, and Mrs. Kewton. E. W. Newton, S. A. Griswold and A.
Plessinger are the present trustees, and Prof. Thorp is the principal.

594 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

MISCELLANEOUS.

In 1863 the Franklin Grove Cemetery Association was formed, and
Isaac Twombly was made president. The long-neglected ground was
enlarged and fenced. It is said that Mrs. Holly was the first one
buried in this cemetery; this was in 1839, It is situated west of the
northern part of the corporation of Franklin Grove, joining it. In
1872 a sidewalk was constructed from the Methodist Episcopal church
to the cemetery ground.

In June, 1874, James McCosh organized the Silver Cornet Band of
Franklin Grove, with twelve pieces. In October they were made a
corporate body, and as such proceeded to the erection of a band hall,
which after a year or two passed out of their hands. For about two
years it has been used by E. W. Newton for a plow manufactor3^

The Cheese Factory Association of Franklin Grove was organized
in February 1881, A. H. Schoonmaker, president ; I^. Hansen, vice-
president ; H. Black, secretary and treasurer ; A. R. Whitney, C. L.
Anthony and Charles Wertman, directors. A committee was appointed
to draft constitution and by-laws. February 12, 1881, an agreement
was entered into between the Association and C. L. Anthony, of "White-
sides county, by which he agreed to manufacture full cream cheese from
the milk of not less than 100 cows at two and a half cents per pound.
Manufacture of cheese was begun May 4, 1881, in the village of Frank-
lin Grove.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Nathan Whitney, Franklin Grove. Col. Nathan Whitney, or
more appropriately Father Whitne}^, was born in Conway, Massachu-
setts, January 22, 1791. His grandfather, Capt. Joiiathan Whitney,
was one of the selectmen who organized the town of Conway, about
110 3^ears ago. He bore arms in defense of the colonies all through
the revolutionary war. He emigrated to the Indian Orchard, called
" Seneca Castle," near the city of Geneva, Ontario county. New York,
about ninety years ago. Capt. Jonathan was followed two years later
by his eldest son, Nathan, who settled near him, when our subject was
two years of age. The elder Nathan Whitney had five sons, Luther,
Otis, Nathan, Jonathan, Cheney, and one daughter. A few years ago
these five brothers were all living, their united ages being four hun-
dred years. Three still survive. The eldest died in 1880 of cancer in
the eye, aged ninety-eight years. The younger, Nathan, like his father,
seems to have been born a pioneer. He opened a farm near Allison, New
York, and another in the town of Elba. He first visited Lee county
in 1835, again in 1836 and 1837, his family following in 1838. He
was one of the commissioners to organize the count}^ of Lee, Illinois,

CHINA TOWNSHIP, 595

and he has since twice held the office of county commissioner in said
county. His nursery was the first north of the Illinois river. From
De Witt Clinton, of New York, he has three militia commissions,
those of captain, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel. He was in the engage-
ment at Fort Erie in the war of 1812. Mr. Whitney is the oldest Mason in
Lee county, if not in the northwest. During the Morgan excitement
he was " among the faithless faithful found." He married Sarah Graef
when twenty years of ago. He has had a family of ten children, three
of whom died young. Of the others only one, the youngest, was a
son, with whom Mr. Whitney is now living, about a mile south of the
village of Franklin Grove, on the farm claimed by the colonel forty-
five years ago.

A. R. Whitney, nurseryman, Franklin Grove, was born February
22, 1824, in Orleans county, ISTew York. He is the youngest child
and the only son of Col. Nathan Whitney. Mr. Whitney was but
fourteen years old when the fauiily emigrated to China from the State
of Ohio, in which they had lived a few years prior to this movement.
August llr, 1851, he was married to Mary J. Oakley. Their issue are
four children : Jesse, Carrie (wife of A. W. Crawford, South Dixon),
Nathan, and May. The sons are married and associated with their
father in his extensive business, the culture and shipping of fruit, and
the manufacture and sale of cider. The mother of A. E. Whitney died
in April 1865.

William Dysaet, farmer, Franklifl Grove, was born in Henderson
county, Pennsylvania, in 1828, son of James and Elizabeth Dysart.
His father's parents and his mother's mother came from Ireland, and
his mother's father from Germany. They were of strong constitutions
and lived to a ripe old age. His mother was born in 1799, and died
in 18T5. His father died March 1873, aged eighty-five years. Ten
children were born to these parents, eight boys and two girls, all of
whom grew to maturity. The}' were all reared on a farm, and
received a common schooling. Joseph Dysart, the grandfather of
our subject, and a brother, Alexander, were the only members of
a family of five or more sons who came from the north of Ireland to
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and thence to Henderson county.
Alexander traded much with the Indians, and became very wealthy.
From 1807 till 1812, inclusive, he was a member of the general as-
sembly of Pennsylvania, from Henderson county, and again in 1815.
In 1846 James Dysart came to Lee county, and between that and 1849
bought land enough to give each of his children one half-section. In
1850 William Dysart came to Dixon, Illinois, and the same year broke
twenty acres of his farm in Sec. 13, T. 21, China. In 1853 he built a
house where he now lives. In February, 1858, he celebrated his mar-

596 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

riage with Mary Grazier, ot" his native county. Their issne are two
daughters, aged thirteen and eleven. Mr. Dysart owns the N.W. ^
Sec. 13, and the E. ^ of S.W. J same, 120 acres of timber in Ogle county,
21:0 acres in Cerro Gordo and Bremer counties, Iowa. In 1869 Mr.
Dysart built his barn, at a cost of $4,500. He is a republican in poli-
tics, having formerly been a whig. His father was a whig until he
became an abolitionist. Of the many genial men we have met in this
vicinity Mr. Dysart is rather more than an average.

Samuel Dysart, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born in Huntingdon
county, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1834, son of William and Eliza
Dysart, from whom he inherited a strong constitution. He was reared
on hi.'- fither's farm, and received a common schooling. In 1855 he
came to China township and went to work on a half section of prairie
previously purchased by his father. This is the E. ^ Sec. 14, T. 21, to
which he has since added an eighty in Sec. 13, making a farm of 400
acres. On February 24, 1858, Mr. Dysart was married to Margaret J.
Henderson, born September 11, 1834, a farmer's daugliter, and the
playmate of his youth. Ten children have been born of this marriage :
Harry W., December 26, 1858 ; Lilly Y., June 7, 1860 ; Lola W., Jan-
uary 10, 1863 (Lola died October 11, 1865, and Lilly, March 15, 1872) ;
U. Grant, September 14, 1865; Drusilla D., December 1, 1866;
Horace H., September 18, 1868; Jesse R., July 12, 1871; Birdie B.,
April 4, 1873; May J., August 23, 1875. Mr. Dysart began farming
with the intention of raising iifiproved stock as soon as he should get
his farm sufficiently improved. Accordingl}' in 1867 he began with
four thorough-bred short-horns, and now has one of the finest herds in
the state. He has heretofore given attention to the breeding of Berk-
shire swine, having shipped them as far as the Rocky mountains. Mr.
Dysart was one of the first members of the Lee County Agricultural
Association. He has been several years a member of the State Board
of Agriculture. In consequence of his prominence as a stock breeder
he was appointed live-stock commissioner to the Paris exhibition of
1878, and received his commission from President Hayes in February.
He sailed in May, and besides spending three months in Paris, traveled
several weeks in difterent parts of Europe. Mr. Dysart's residence,
built in 1877 at a cost of between $6,000 and |7,000, is elegantly fur-
nished. His grounds are beautifully decorated with choice flowers, in
the care of which he is much engaged. His large stock barn is in
keeping with his other buildings. The farm is known as the "Pines
Stock Farm," having taken the name of the "Pines place" from the
large pine trees planted near the house. In politics Mr. Dysart is a
republican.

B. F. Dysart, lumber dealer, Franklin Grove, was born in Hen-

CHINA TOWNSHIP. 597

derson county, Pennsylvania, 1841 ; son of James and Elizabeth Dy-
sart. In 1856 he came with his father to Lee county. He attended
school at Lee Center and Dixon. In the fall of 1860 he began im-
proving his farm, the N.E. ^ Sec. 23, T. 21, China, and built a house on
it. August 7, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C, S-lth 111. Inf., and was mustered
at Camp Butler, September 2. ISTovember 4, 1864, his resignation was
accepted and he was discharged. The same year he was married to
Miss A. C. A. Harrison, of Canton, Stark county, Ohio, by whom he
has one son, Edgar H., born January 1866. After his discharge from
the army Mr. Dysart was one year United States revenue assessor in
East Ohio and West Virginia. He was one year engaged in business
in Canton, Ohio; thence to Franklin Grove, where he lived one year.
In the meantime he was improving his farm, before mentioned, on to
which he moved in the spring of 1868. Here he lived till 1876, when
he sold out and moved into the village of Franklin Grove, and en-
gaged in the lumber business with C. D. Hussey. In 1866 Mr. Dysart
sold his farm of 160 acres in Nachusa township. He is a republican.

Amos Hussey, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born in York county,
Pennsylvania, August 1806. His father, Amos Hussey, and his moth-
er, Abagail Edmondson, were both born in Pennsylvania. His father
was of Welsh ancestry, and followed the occupation of farmer; he had
a family of twelve children, five of whom lived to maturity. He died
when our subject was fourteen years of age. The mother of the latter
was of English descent, and died nearly fifty years ago. Amos
Hussey, jr., learned the business of w^eaving, spinning, and dressing
cloth, and followed the same for a few years. About 1834 he married
Jane F. Holly, whose birth was the first in Fredonia, New York, Jan-
uary 1, 1817. In 1838 Mr. Hussey came with his wife and two
children overland to Franklin Grove; lived the fii'st winter on the
south side of the Grove, and the next year came to his present loca-
tion, a little northwest of the village of Franklin Grove, in Sec. 35.
His wife died May 1876. He and an elder sister residing in Ohio are
the only survivors of his father's family. His family consist of three
living: Mary D. (Mrs. Josiah Little, Amboy, 111.); Jerome (married
and living in Amboy), and Columbus. The second, third and fourth
of his family died young: Jesse, aged three years; William H. Har-
rison, eight years, and Medrick D., between one and two years of age.
Mr. Hussey now owns a farm of 115 acres, having sold some of his
land. In politics he is a republican.

Geoege H. Taylor, grain dealer, Franklin Grove, was born in
Cheshire county, New Hampshire, 1823. His father, John Taylor,
was of Scotch ancestry. His mother was Catherine Livermore. The
Livermores were early Puritan settlers in New England, and came

598 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

from Holland. John Taylor was a tanner by trade; he had a family
of eio;ht children, only one of whom was a son. In 1838 he came to
Ogle county, Illinois, and settled at Daysville, and subsequently
claimed half a section of land. Here he lived till 18i9, when he re-
moved to St. Charles, Illinois, where he died in 1854 or 1855. His
wife died in 1871, aged eighty-six. In the fall of 1846 George H. Tay-
lor married Emily C Wood. Their children are : Alice (Mrs. William
B. Loyd, St. Charles, Illinois), Ella (Mrs. William Hemme, Califor-
nia), Flora (Mrs. D. R. Timothy, China, Lee county, Illinois), Clara
(Mrs. David T. Jones, Washington, District of Columbia), Frank and
Lucius. In 1857 Mr. Taylor came to Franklin Grove and engaged in
the grain business, which he has since followed. In 1870 he built his
elevator at a cost of $5,000, with a storage capacity of 20,000 bushels.
Mr. Taylor is a republican in politics, having been an abolitionist. His
wife is a member of the Methodist church.

U. C. Roe, doctor, Franklin Grove, was born in Eddyville, Lyon
count}^, Kentucky. His father, John Roe, was born in Philadelphia,
August 19, 1800, of English and German blood, and possessed a splen-
did physical organization. When he was twenty-one years old he
located in Lyon county, Kentucky, on the Cumberland river, and was
here married to Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Col. Nathan Lyon, a
native of Ireland. In 1827 John Roe moved with his family to Spring-
field, Illinois, and began the study of medicine. In an early day he
settled at Light-house Point, Ogle county, having previously made a
claim on the Illinois river, in Putnam county, but on going to Galena
to enter it found that a speculator had got ahead of him. In the fall
of 1837 the subject of this sketch made his first trip to Chicago. In
the winter of 1837-8 he went to a school kept in his father's log house,
and in the winter of 1838-9 in the new school-house, to Charles B. Far-
well, now of Chicago. He worked on a farm sunnners till 1844, at-
tending the Mount Morris Academy winters. In 1845 he entered the
Ohio Botanico-Medical College, and attended one term of lectures.
After sixteen years' practice of medicine he received a diploma from
this institution. Upon his father's removal to Chicago, about 1845,
our subject entered into a large and lucrative practice. In 1846 he
married Almeda Brown. Their issue are : Nathaniel C. (married),
Ella (Mrs. T. J. Giddings, Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Lucy (Mrs. A. R.
Hamlin, Wisconsin) ; Frederick U. and Carrie, Emma and Belle, aged
fifteen years, and John, aged two years, are dead. In the spring of
1854 Mr. Roe came to Franklin Grove and lived here till 1860, and
returned again in 1870. In 1860 he began tlie manufacture and sale
of medicine, in which business with his sons he is now engaged. He
has a large number of teams and wagons out through the country in

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CHINA TOWNSHIP. 601

the sale of his medicines. The doctor also treats chronic diseases, and
lectures on phrenology and the laws of health. He is an ordained
deacon in the Methodist Episcopal church, and a greenbacker in
politics.

Conrad Durkes, merchant, Franklin Grove, was born in the Pab
atine in 1829. His parents were Philip and Appolonia (Stelzer)
Dnrkes. His father was three years a soldier, and under Napoleon
was taken prisoner on the march to Moscow. Conrad was the youngest
of a large familj', only two of whom are living. In 1812 he came to
New Orleans with his father, who was a mechanic; thence after six
months they went to St. Louis, and in 1815 to Chicago, where his
father died in 1858, and his mother in 1866. Here his widowed sister
is living. Conrad Dnrkes remained in this city till 1852, when he
went to Oregon, Ogle county, where he sold g'oods till 1855. He
then came to Franklin Grove and began in the dry-goods business,
which he has since followed here with one interruption of three years.
By close attention to business Mr. Durkes has amassed a good property.
In 1858 he married Mary Jones. They have four children living:
Augustus P., Ida E., Warren C. and Stelzer A. ; Mary Kate died in
1870, aged four ^-ears. His family belong to the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Durkes is a Mason and independent in politics. He
received an average schooling in the German public schools, but ha&
since obtained in actual business that which is far more efficient, and
which has made him a man of excellent business qualifications.

Ezra A. Wood, merchant, Franklin Grove, was born in Augusta,.
Canada, in 1833. His mother was Mary (Earle) Wood. His father,
Antliony Wood, was born in Schoharie county, New York. In 1838
Anthony Wood left Canada, after a short residence there, and came to
Ogle county, Illinois. He settled near Oregon and purchased a claim
to 160 acres in Nachusa township and improved it. He died on his
way overland to the Pacific coast in 1850. He was twice married and
had eleven children, two by his first wife. Ezra Wood was attending
school at Mount Morris when his father died, but did not go to school
after this event. In 1860 he went overland to Colorado, and there
enlisted, October 1861, in the 1st Col. Inf. The regiment saw some
fighting in New Mexico, and skirmished there and along the Rio
Grande with the " rebs." and Indians. In June, 1862, this regiment
was encamped at Yal Yerda on a sandy bluff. There Mr. Wood, with
many others, was taken sick with mountain fever, and did not recover
till fall, when he was discharged on account of physical disability. He
came to Franklin Grove in the fall of 1864, having traveled over much
of the western country. In June, 1865, he married Charlotte Herring-
ton. Mr. Wood is a republican and a member of the Methodist church.
36

602 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Henky a. Black, stationer and jeweler, Franklin Grove, was born
in Waldo county, Maine, in 1843; son of John C. and Globe (Wilber)
Black, botb of Maine. His fatber was a botel-keeper ; bis family con-
sisted of seven children, six of wboni are living. Tbe famil}- came to
Franklin Grove in tbe fall of 1855, and John Black went into tbe
drug business witb A. L. Meritt. Mr. Black was made postmaster
soon after, wbicb office be beld till 1861, after wbicb be did but little
business. He died in 1864 witb consumption, having sufiered many
3'ears from the effects of asthma. Henry Black, tbe subject of this
article, attended school two years at Lombard University, Knox county,
intending to complete a course there, but the civil war interfered witli
this plan, and in December of 1863 be enlisted in tbe 75th 111. Inf.,
Co. G, Capt. Irwin. By an order from the war department he was
detailed clerk in the quartermaster's office at Camp Butler, in which
capacity he acted about two months. After tliis he was in the adju-
tant-general's office at tbe same point, most of the time as chief clerk,
till be Avas mustered out, August 1865. In the following November
be married Clara A. Timothy, daughter of Otis Timothy. Their chil-
dren are Nellie, born June 22, 1868; Lindsey, June 26, 1870; Edith
M., May 2, 1875. His gi-andfatber on his father's side was of Scotch
descent, and his paternal grandmother was Ijorn in Ireland, and came
to Maine when she was six years of age. His mother's people were
Scotch. His grandfather Black was militiaman in the war of 1812,
and participated in the defense of shipping on Penobscot Bay. For
this service he received a land warrant. In politics Mr. Black is a
republican.

T. W. Scott, teacher, Fi-anklin Grove, was born in Huntingdon
county, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1832. He is tbe youngest child of
James and Elizabeth (Jordon) Scott, both born in Pennsylvania. Of
their family of live four are living. Mr. Scott's grandparents all came
from Scotland. His fatber was a mechanic. Our subject received bis
education chiefly at Centi'al Academy, Juniata county. In February,
1856, be married Elizabeth, youngest daughter of James Dysart. He
came west to Nacbusa in March 1856. After remaining there a few
M'eeks be came to Franklin Grove, which has since been liis liome.
At this time he began opening the farm on which Samuel Riddlesbarger
lives. In the fall of 1856 Mr. Scott organized the school in tbe new
school-house at Franklin Grove. He was connected with this school
till 1878 and taught in all eighteen 3'ears, all but one of which be was
at its head. So long was be connected with the school that during tbe
latter part of bis service he could look over his pupils and see a dozen
or more of them sitting in seats formerly occupied by their parents, who
bad also been bis pupils. Among other things shown us as testimonials

CHIlSrA TOWNSHIP. 603

of regard from his pupils was a large bible, presented to him at an
exhibition at the close of examinations for the first year. Mrs. Scott
died May 11, 1862, leaving three children : Frank G., born September
1, 1858; Lois M., March 2, 1860, and Lizzie D., April 18, 1862
(deceased July 28, 1862). She was born in Huntingdon county,
December 14, 1837. She was a member of the Presbyterian church,
to which Mr. Scott also belongs. In 1868 Mr. Scott bought a lot and
built his house in the village of Franklin Grove. He sold his farm in
1874, upon which he had lived four years previous to the death of his
wife.

W. C. Robinson, merchant, Franklin Grove, was born in central
New York December 26, 1817. His parents were JSTathan and Mary
(Minor) Robinson. He was reared about a mile and a half from the
Pennsylvania state line in Chautauqua county, ISTewYork, into which his
father moved at an early day and cleared up a farm. It is here that
our subject has his first recollections. His father's ancestors were Scotch ;
his mother's English, His father raised eleven children, seven of whom
are living. In the fall of 1841 W. C. Robinson left home with a brother
and went to Louisiana. Here they chopped wood during the follow-
ing winter. In the spring he came to Ogle county, his brother return-
ing home via Kew Orleans. In the winter of 1842-3 Mr. Rob-
inson again went down the Mississippi. Returning in the spring
of 1843, he bought a claim to his farm in Sec. 10, T. 21, China town-
ship, and built on it. The following year he married Harriet Hansen,
eldest daughter of Charles Hansen, sr. Their issue are : Sophia (wife
of Robert McCoy, Iowa), Henry, George, and Anna (Mrs. Frank
Mentzler). Mrs. Robinson died April 10, 1872. In 1856 Mr. Robin-
son engaged in the drug business, having rented his farm. In 1874
he went into partnership with his son George W., who was married
in 1874, to Mary E. Spiller, by whom he has one daughter. Mr.
Robinson is a republican, but voted the democratic ticket till Fre-
mont's candidacy.

David R. Minor, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born in the State of
New York, in 1827. His father, Cyrus R. Minor, was born in Massa-
chusetts, in 1782, of English ancestry. In 1836 David Minor came
with his parents and their family to Lee county, where they settled.
The family consisted of Lockwood, Albert, Sarah, Daniel, and David.
Lockwood died in Missouri, September 1870. Daniel died in Califor-
nia in 1852, aged twenty-five years. Cyrus Minor died in 1846. In
1854 David Minor married Cina Wliitmore. Their children are Daniel,
Iva, Rose, David H. and Cyrus E. Mr. Minor is living on his farm
in Sec. 12, T, 21, China. This is land he claimed in an early day, and
worked several years before he was married. He belongs to the Evan-

604 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

gelical church. Is a republican in politics. His father was a whig.
The latter was thrice married. The mother of David Minor died in
1839.

Dayid F. Laiiman, farmer and stock dealer, Franklin Grove, was
born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1837. He is the son of
Christian and Elizabeth (Emmert) Lahman. He came west with his
parents in 1843. He was reared a farmer. In 1863 he married Anna
Brngh. Lulu is their ou]y child. Mr. Lahman has lived on the home-
stead since 1858, at which time he came in possession of 205 acres. He
built his barn in 1867, his house in 1869, which with his other build-
ings, cost about $7,000. Mr. Lahman now owns 532 acres in Lee
county, 165 in Ogle, and an interest in a large tract in Story county,
Iowa. Mr. Lahman is a man of great business activity. For about ten
years he made stock shipping his business. He does but little of this
now. From his farm he turns each year from 500 to 800 head of stock.
For several years he has been extensively engaged in poultry dealing,
handling from $18,000 to $20,000 in one season in this traffic. There
are but few men who do as much business as Mr. Laliman. He has
five brothers and two sisters living, having lost his parents, one
brother, and one sister. Mrs. Lahman is a member of the German
Baptist church.

Israel Zug, butcher, Franklin Grove, was born in Lebanon county^
Pennsylvania, in 1827. His parents were John and Margaret (Lane)
Zug. His fathers ancestors were from Switzerland, and his mother's
from Holland. His father was born in 1797, and died in 1873; his
mother was two years older, and died in 1871. Israel Zug followed
forming, his father's occupation, till he was about seventeen 3'ears old ;
then he learned the tanner's trade. In 1850 he came to Peru, Illinois;
lived there one year, and then bought 80 acres of land about eight
miles north of that city, and farmed it till 1855. In 1856 he came to
Franklin Grove, and the following year opened a meat market. He
has followed this line of business ever since, and has established a good
trade. In 1848 Mr. Zug married Rachel Johnson. Their issue are
seven : John, Nathan, Alfred, Marj', Frank, Ilattie, and Llewellyn.
John, when about fifteen or sixteen years old, left home, went east, and
enlisted in a New York artillery company. He was in the service
about one and a half years; subsequently learned the mason's trade,
and was married in Memphis, Tennessee, to an Iowa lady. About six
years ago, while working in St. Joseph, Missouri, he wrote to his wife,
at Virgil City, that he would be home in a few days. He started from
St. Joseph at the appointed time, but was never afterward seen by his
family and friends. His fate is a mystery. Ho is thouglit, however,
to be dead.

CHINA TOWNSHIP. 605

John D. Sitts, merchant, Franklin Grove, was born in Oneida
county, New York, in 1831. His parents were Geor2;e and Harriet
(Bartlett) Sitts, who were born and reared in the Mohawk valley.
His mother's ancestors came from Holland, and his fatlier's from
German}', at an early date in the history of New York. His father
was a contractor on the Erie canal. In 1849 he came to Chicago and
engaged in a commission business, which he followed till his death in
1863. John Sitts, his son, received a common schooling and learned
the molder's trade. In 1854 he came to Chicago and in 1857 to
Franklin Grove. Here he engaged in the lumber business, in the firm
of Sitts, Thomas & Co. This he followed chiefly for about ten years.
In 1872 he began in the grocery business, having previously farmed in
Lee and Ogle counties. In 1863 he married Eva E. Lincoln. Their
children are Henry B., Gertie G., Bertha C. and Helen E. .Mr. Sitts
has been four years a notary. He is a republican. His mother died in
1844. Of his father's family of nine only four are living, one sister and
two brothers in Chicago.

D. B. Senger, editor, Franklin Grove, was born in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, July 8, 1849 ; son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Bayer)
Senger. His father was a shoemaker. He had a family of four, of
whom our subject is the eldest. The family settled at Cedar Bapids,
Iowa, in 1865. Here the junior Senger worked on the shoemaker's
bench and attended the common schools till lie was twenty-one years
old. Then he went to Western College, attending there nearly two
years, the last in 1873, in the meantime teaching to support himself.
In 1876 he bought from T. W. Scott the Franklin Grove " Reporter,"
having first come to Lee county in 1873. He was married in 1875,
to Susan A. Buck. He has two children, a son and daughter.

JosiAH Hughes, hotel keeper, Franklin Grove, was born February
15,1808, in Otsego county. New York ; son of Willian and Sally (Dilly)
Hughes. His father was a farmer, and of his family of eight sons and
three daughters Josiali was the eldest. On New Year's day of 1831 he
was married to Lydia Barry. Ten years later his mother died at
Waterville, and in 1844 he came with his wife, two children and his
father to St. Charles, Kane county, Illinois. In this vicinity he bought
a farm, which he worked a short time. He then moved into the village
of St. Charles and dealt in stoves, etc. On September 1, 1854, he arrived
in Franklin Grove, The following year he built the Hughes Hotel, a
three-story stone building, at a total cost of nearly $9,000, having
bought the premises from C. Lahman for $1,800. Mr. Hughes has had
five children, only one of whom, the eldest, lives: Oscar (married and
living in Henderson county, Kentuckj'), Julia (Mrs. Trumbull, died

606 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

aged twenty-eight years), and three who died young, the eldest being
only five yeai's.

George Fishback, carpenter, Franklin Grove, was born in
Alsace, then part of France, in 1828. His parents, George and Mar-
garet Fishback, had four children, of whom he was the eldest. His
fjither died when he was eight years old. He came to New York city
in February of 1S53, and worked three years at his trade; thence he
came to Lee county, Illinois, and in 1857 he bought property in the
southwest part of the village of Franklin Grove. Here he has since
lived and followed his trade. In 1854 he married Rose Schweisberger.
Their children number five : George, Lena, Margaret, John, and Rose.
Frank died aged one year. George, Lena and Margaret are married
and living in Dixon.

John L. Steock, mechanic, Franklin Grove, was born in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, in 1841. His parents were Samuel and Esther
(Lahman) Strock. Their family consisted of three sons and two
daughters. John Strock lived on his father's farm till he was sixteen
years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1861 he came
to Mount Carroll, Illinois, and on June 6 of the same year enlisted in
Co. C, of the 92d 111. Inf. The}^ were mustered at Rockford, Illinois,
September 4, 1861, and were sent to Perryviile, Kentucky. The sub-
ject of this sketch was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloli,
Nashville, Stone River, Chattanooga, with Sherman to the sea,
and around to Baltimore. He was shot through the right arm
Nicky- Jack Gap, losing thereby a part of the radius near the wrist.
He was mustered out July 15, 1865. In 1867 Mr. Strock came to
Franklin Grove and worked at his trade till 1876, having in the mean-
time built many of the fine barns that adorn this region of the country.
He is now in company with the Lahman Brothers in the manufacture
of the Great Western Seeder, having recently rented the large wind-
mill which he built in 1876, and in which he has a half interest. In
1869 he married x\bbie Withey, of Lee county, by whom he has two
children : Warren, born January 1870, and Irmie, August 1876. Mr.
Strock belongs to the order of Masons and in politics is a republican.

John Blocker, Franklin Grove, was born in Gettysburg, Pennsyl-
vania, February 23, 1833 ; son of John and Catherine (Bishop) Bloch-
er. These parents had a family of five sons and six daughters, six of
whom are living. John Blocher, the father, was an 1812 militiaman.
Subsequently he moved from his farm near Bnfi'alo, New York, to
Gettysburg. The youth of our subject was spent on a farm until he
was sixteen years of age, subsequently in a woolen factory. In 1852
he came to Lee Center, and after remaining a year returned east. In
1856 he married Ann Gear and came back to Franklin Grove. He

CHINA TOWNSHIP. 607

began in tlie daguerreotype business, wliich he followed till 1869,
when he began the "Reporter." In 1872 Mrs. Blocher died, leaving
four children to mourn her loss. Their names are William, Flora,
John II. and Charles. In 1875 Mr. Blocher was married to Elizabetli
"Wattles. Their issue are two: Claude and Ella. Mr. Blocher is a
member of the Presbyterian church, as was his first wife, his present
wife being a Methodist. He is a republican, and belongs to the order
of Odd-Fellows.

Louis M. Blaisdell (deceased) was born in Kennebec county, Maine.
His father was a farmer and ship-builder. Three of his father's family
grew to maturity, the youngest of whom was Louis. ISTone of the
family are now living. Our subject left his home when quite young,
for his health. He was in the south, Chicago, and in 1843 came to
St. Charles, Illinois, and began in the sale of dry-goods. In Decem-
ber, 18-±7, ho married Rosalind Durant, who came with her mother
and two brothers from Vermont to St. Charles in 1845. Mr. Blaisdell
removed with his family to Franklin Grove in 185L Here he began
in the lumber business, and subsequently dealt in grain. His house, on
Spring street, was one of the finest in the "new town " of Franklin.
Here his family are now living. Mr. Blaisdell was successful in busi-
ness. At the time of his death (March 1863) he owned a 160 acre
farm in Bradford township, besides considerable property in the village
of Franklin Grove. His familj^ are Louis, born June 1850 ; Alice,
March 1857; and Rosalind, November 1861. Mr. Blaisdell was of
Scotch descent; belonged to the order of Masons, and was a republi-
can. Mrs. Blaisdell's mother's father was from Rhode Island ; Eng-
lish descent. Her mother was born in 1798 ; her father in 1800.

Oscar G. Smith, grain dealer, Franklin Grove, was born in Frost-
burg, Alleghany county, Maryland, September 17, 1850. His parents
are Joseph E. and Henrietta (Merrill) Smith. The former came from
Hesse-Cassel, Germany, when he was sixteen years of age. Of a fam-
ily of nine only four live, two sons and two daughters. The family
came west in 1852 and settled in South Dixon, Lee county, where they
have since lived. In 1874 Oscar Smith married Margaret C. Burket,
of Lee county. Their issue are Mabel, born July 6, 1875 (deceased
July 3, 1876), and Walter Lee, January 1878. In 1877 Mr. Smith
sold his farm of 130 acres, in Nachusa township, for $7,000, and en-
gaged in the grain-buying business, at Urst at Dixon with Captain Dy-
sart, and since 1878 in Franklin Grove. Tlie same year he bought the
Williams warehouse property for $1,600, and in 1879 built his new
warehouse at a further cost of about $1,400. In the spring of 1881
Mr. Smith entered into partnership with Robert C. Filson, who was
born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1847. He is the son of

608 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Sainnel and Marv E. (Miller) Filsoii, who had a famil}' of four. The
father died in August 1863. Robert Filson came to Lee county in
1870; was married in 1872, to l^ancy J. Shorrar, by whom he has
four children : William S., Mary E., Minnie Y. and Edwin C.

Joshua Lahman, farmer, was born June 1839, in Washington
county, Maryland, into which his parents moved from Adams county,
Pennsylvania, a few years before. He is the son of Christian and
Elizabeth (Emmert) Lahman. He was reared a farmer. In 1843 he
came with his parents to Franklin Grove. In September, 1861, he en-
listed in the 34th 111. Inf., Co. C. He was in service two years; was
wounded in the arm and thigh at Murfreesboro, Tennessee ; was sent to
the hospital at Cincinnati, where he remained nearly six months; he
w^as mustered out June 13, 1863. For two years after the war Mr.
Lahman walked on crntches, and thinking that he would never recover
the use of his limbs he learned harness-making. Three years he ran
a harness shop in Iowa; he was there married to Hannah M. Batschel-
ett. She was born in Illinois, but went to Iowa when but ten years
of age. In 1868 our subject came back to Lee county and began
farming. He now owns 240 acres in Sees. 11 and 12, T. 21, China.
In 1879 he built a fine brick house. He has a family of four children :
Edgar R., born October 11, 1867: Clifford E., February 8, 1869;
Elizabeth, July 22, 1875, and Clara F., October 19, 1877.

Joseph Lahman, farmer, Franklin Grove, the oldest member of
one of the most prominent families in this part of Lee county, was
born January 24, 1833, in Adams county, Pennsylvania. His parents,
Christian Lahman and Elizaljeth Emmert, were both of German an-
cestry. Two Lahman brothers settled in Lancaster county, Pennsyl-
vania, about 1700. In 1843 Christian Lahman and his family settled
on the north side of Franklin Grove, nearly opposite the Dunkard
church, on the place now owned by David Lahman, his son. In 1856
Joseph Lahman married Lorenda Diehl, who died April 28, 1879,
leaving five sons and three daughters, the fruits of their married life:
Fremont D., born November 1856; Oliver D., April 1858; Florence
J., May 1860; Poscoe D., July 1862; Frank E., December 1864;
Ella J., January 1868; Charles E., January 1872; Grace, May 1874;
In February of 1881 Mr. Lahman was married, in Pennsylvania, to
Mrs. Susan B. Gitt, of Adams county. Both belonged to the German
Baptist church, in which Mr, Lahman is an ordained elder. He owns
about 800 acres of land in Lee and Ogle counties, besides about 400
acres in Iowa. He is living a little west of the village of Franklin
Grove, on the S.E. ^ Sec. 2, T. 21, where Lockwood Minor first settled.
Here Mr. Lahman has lived for about fifteen years. Previous to this
Mr. Lahman ran a mill on the creek for about sixteen years.

CHINA TOWNSHIP. 609

George W. Hewitt, M.D. (deceased), was born in Middleburg,
Franklin county, Pennsjdvania, December 23, 1830. He was the son
of Gr. W. and Margaret (Conkleton) Hewitt, to whom were born four
sons and three daughters. His medical studies were pursued under
Dr. Samuel Chew, of Baltimore. At the same time he attended lectures
at the Universit}' of Maryland, where he graduated in 1854. On the
first of May of the same year he settled to practice medicine at Frank-
lin Grove. Early in his practice he took a high rank in his profession.
In 1871 he was appointed a delegate from the Illinois State Medical
Society to the American Medical Association. During the late war
Dr. Hewitt served as surgeon in 34th reg. 111. Yols. He was on the
staff of Col. Kirk when he was promoted to brigadier general, with
whom he served for some time as brigadier surgeon. He was uncom-
promisingly devoted to his profession ; he was a member of the Amer-
ican Medical Association, and an honorary member of the California
Medical Society. In the best sense of the word the doctor was a
philanthropist, ever anxious to avail himself of every opportunity to
acknowledge the common brotherhood of humanity and fatherhood of
God. In accordance with his convictions, and as a means to the end
he had in view, he united with the Masonic fraternity. He was made
a Master Mason at Lee Center, August 30, 1857 ; took his chapter de-
grees at DeKalb, August 11, 1859, and received his commandery degrees
at Sycamore, May 9,1866. He was a charter member of Franklin Lodge,
No. 264, also of Nathan Whitney Chapter, and at his death was an
active member of the commandery at Dixon. On September 25, 1856,
he was married to Miss Caroline Davis Miller, with whom he lived
until November 19, 1863, when she died, leaving him two sons, aged
five and three years respectively. During the last illness of his la-
mented wife she and the doctor were together received into the Pres-
byterian church on their profession of faith. On September 1, 1879,
a team which Dr. Hewitt was driving ran away with him, throwing
him out against a creek bridge and precipitating him into a creek
twenty feet below. He received injuries in this fall from which he
on]}' partially recovered. October, 1880, he received his first stroke
of paralysis; the second, Jannaiy 5, 1881, caused his death on the 12th
of the same month. Henry M. Hewitt, eldest son of the above, was
born August 24, 1857, in Franklin Grove, Lee count}'. He received his
preparatory education at Normal and Evanston, Illinois ; graduated
from Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois; and after this attended
medical schools in the city of New York and on the continent of
Europe. In September, 1879, he returned to his home at Franklin
Grove, where he is now practicing medicine. His brother, George W.

610 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Hewitt, born July 31, 1859, is in the Union Law School, of Chicago,
from which he expects to graduate in 1882.

John Leake, farmer, retired, was born in Leicestershire, England,
April 17, 1808. His father, William Leake, and mother, Clarissa
(Chapman), danghter of Daniel Chapman, were also natives of Eng-
land, and there died. His grandparents on his father's side were Wil-
liam and Mary Leake, also of English birth and burial. Mr. Leake
was raised a son of toil in the true sense of that word. Farming has
occupied his time in chief, yet after arriving at manhood he also en-
gaged in milling. He was married December 2, 1836, to Miss Hannah
Skermer, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Cooper) Skermer, both of
English birth. Mrs. Leake is one of those women of industry for
which old England is so noted. This union has been blessed with six
children : Clarissa, Mary A., William, Susanah, John H. and Joseph
T. Litluenced by the flattering reports from America sent them by
relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Leake also set sail about September 1. 181:3,
on the sailing-vessel Garrick, commanded by Capt. Kiddy. After
about a month's voyage they reached Chicago, where Mr. Leake con-
tracted with John B. Tinker to convey self, family and baggage at a
low rate to Dixon's Ferry. Arrived here Mr. and Mrs. Leake imme-
diately began the work of the pioneer in the southwest corner of wdiat
is now China township, where they still live. They have become in
good circumstances and good standino- in the community.

William Graves, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove, is a son
of William and Sarah M. (Bostwick) Graves, and was born in the State
of New York, February 19, 1839. He was reared on a farm, with only
such school advantages as were afl'orded in his boyhood days. In 1853,
in company with his mother, one brother and one sister, he came to
Illinois, and settled for a short time in Newark, Kendall county, Illi-
nois, but in November, 1854, they came to Lee county, and settled per-
manently in China township, on Sec. 15, T. 21, R. 10, where our
subject now owns a iine farm of 200 acres of well improved land. Feb-
ruary 15, 1870, he married Miss Martha A., daughter of Evans C. and'
Harriett A. (Whitmore) Thomas, of Franklin Grove, Lee county, Illi-
nois. She was born March 17, 1818. They are the parents of two
children living, Grace and Louis C. Mr. Graves is now actively en-
gaged in stock raising as well as farming. He is one of the live men of
Lee county, and takes an active part in any enterprise that tends to the
mutual improvement of his own interest or that of the community in.
which he lives.

VIOLA TOWNSHIP. 611

YIOLA TOWNSHIP.

The voters of T. 38 N., R. 1 E., met at the house of Moses Yan
Campen on the 2d of April, 1861, and nominated Abram Van Campen
clerk pro tem, and Simeon Cole moderator. They being duly elected,
proceeded to the business of organizing the town of Yiola. Polls
opened and the following first town officers were duly elected. Fifty-
two ballots were cast, a majority being: for supervisor, Samuel L.
Butler ; assessor, Simeon Cole ; town clerk, Samuel Yasbnrgh ; con-
stable and collector, John Melugin ; justice of the peace, Henry
Marsh; commissioners of highways, William Holdren, Ralph E. Ford,
and Moses B. Yan Campen ; for poor-master, Evins Adrian, and for
pound-master, John Melugin. The names proposed for the town, But-
ler, Elba, and Eldorado, Previous to this the town was called Stock-
ton, the name being given on account of the large numbers of stock
being herded by Robert M. Piele, and others who were also on the
creeks with large herds of cattle. The first town officers were sworn
in and their bonds given to the name of Stockton.

At a meeting of highway commissioners of the towns of Brooklyn,
and Stockton, held May 11, 1861, for the purpose of dividing road on
the line between towns thirty-seven and thirt^'-eight, or very soon
after, the name of this township was changed to Yiola, the names pro-
posed at the previous meeting having been found to conflict with other
township names in the state.

The soil of this township is a rich loam, having a sand and gravel
subsoil at a depth of from seven to fifteen feet; the drainage is by wide
and deep ditches leading toward and through the inlet swamp. The
surface is, for two miles on the east and the same on the south, rolling ;
the balance that is tillable is flat and even in surface. About three-
quarters of this township is under cultivation ; the remaining quarter
is known as the inlet swamp.

The beautiful natural grove situated in the southeast corner of Yiola
township, half a mile west and same distance north of the southeast
corner, is divided into lots of from 1 to 60 acres. It contains about 320
acres. In an early day, or when first settled, it was called Guthrie's
Grove, after William Guthrie, its first settlei', but is now called and is
marked on most maps as Little Melugin Grove. In early times it was
sometimes called Lawton's Grove, after William Lawton, who was an
early settler. The Big Melugin is also a beautiful natural grove, partly
in Brooklyn township, and one half or more in Yiola, there being about
one section or 640 acres in Yiola. This is also divided up into grove
lots of 3 to more acres.

612 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Willow creek is the only natural water stream in Viola township.
There are two otlier " runs" called dry runs, water being in them only
at wet seasons of the year. These all empty into the inlet swamp.
The wells of this township are of an exceptionally pure and cool nature
and reached at a depth of from ten to thirty feet, giving always a plen-
tiful sup])lv of this needed article. This township was first settled in
1834 at Guthrie, or as it is now called Little Melugin Grove, by William
Guthrie. The first buildings were put thereon the extreme south end
of the grove and built by William Guthrie; the first wagon roads were
anywhere to the nearest point over the then vast and open prairie, but
soon after settlement and organization they were laid out on section
lines, or mostly so by the elected highway commissioners. The north
and south roads ran through the township, the east and west only a
part of the way through, partly on account of the inlet swamp.

Among the first white persons and settlers about the groves (as
these towns were first settled there) was David Town, then Dick Allen,
then Zach. Melugin, after whom the groves in Viola and Brooklyn
were named, then William Guthrie, who also named the small grove.
After these came John Gilmore, William Lawton, who sold to Walter
Little. Then they began to come in faster, among those a little later
being Evins Adrian, who perhaps has made himself more felt than any
of his predecessors in this township and Lee county.

There are several large farmers in this township ; but among the
most noted are Evins Adrian, with his 1300 acre homestead and miles
of osage hedge fence and herds of fine blooded stock reared hy him.
Mr. Adrian is not a large purchaser of stock except to improve his
already high grade. He is a stock raiser and seller, doing all business
on his own premises. Mr. H. B. Cobb is also an extensive stock man
in this township. He not onlj' raises large droves, but is also an ex-
tensive buyer and shipper of large bunches of hogs as well as cattle.

About four years ago Mr. Evins Adrian lost one of his large barns
by fire. It was 42x60 in size, with a fine basement for stock, and had
just been filled M'ith hay. In it was also stored a lot of farm tools,
harness, and some valuable live-stock. It was the work of an incendi-
ary; the total loss was about $5,000. He rebuilt, and had the new
barn ready for occupancy in about thirty days after the burning.

SCHOOLS.

There are six school buildings in this township, and anothei con-
templated this fall. The cost of these was from $400 to $600 each.
There are seven school districts in Viola, and schools are held from six
to nine months a year in each. The school fund is $7,496.

VIOLA TOWNSHIP. 613

OFFICERS.

Yiola's present town officers are: supervisor, James Adrian ; town
clerk, Rnt'us Johnson ; assessor, Calvin Johnson ; collector, Robert
Hutchinson ; commissioners of highways, Joseph Merrill, three 3'ears ;
Alexander Harper, two years ; Abram Bennett, one year ; justices of
the peace, Alexander Harper and Truman Johnson ; constables, Rufus
Johnson and William H. Bennett; school trustees, A. J. Ross, three
years; Truman Johnson, two years; James Taylor, one year; and
school treasurer, Calvin Johnson. The number of votes polled at the
1881 election was 130.

Mr. Evins Adrian was the first person married living in Viola, to
widow Smith, formerly Marrilla Goodale. The next was William Happ,
who married a Miss Smith, of Smith's Grove. He afterward in a spree
stabbed his wife, who died. Truman Johnson's was probably the third
marriao^e, to Miss Marv Melus^in.

The first adult person who died in this township was Walter Little,
grandfather of the present sheriff of Lee county. An infant child
of William Lawton's died previousl3^ Mrs. Curtis Lathrop and Mr.
and Mrs. Andrew Little also died in the early history of Lee county.
The first birth in this township was a child to William Lawton, which
died in its infancy.

One mark of prosperity in this township is its large and intelligent
family records, giving the residents not only^great present aid, but pro-
viding for the future management of the aft'airs of this vicinity.

In the early history of Yiola township, long before Lee county was
set ofi^, roaming bands of Indians from several tribes inhabited the
beautiful groves, there being those now living among its citizens who
have played with the children of the red men, and were eye witnesses
to the great council and last payment in Illinois of the Indians by the
government at the grove at Shabbona.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

M. W. Harrington, farmer, Compton, removed with his parents
when four years old from Grand Isle county, Vermont, and located at
Joliet, Will county, Illinois. He was born in Grand Isle connty, Ver-
mont, May 21, 1835. His father, at an advanced age, is still living. In
1862 he removed to Viola, Lee county, and on August 13, 1862, en-
listed in Co. E, 100th 111. Vol. Inf., and remained eighteen months.
He was wounded in the battle of Chickaraanga, September 19, 1863,
which disabled him for service, and he was honorably discharged. He
married, July 2, 1858, Mary E. Cole. They have three children :
Charlie E., Willie M., Oric C, and one adopted child, Carrie A. He

614 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

has a good and well managed farm of 130 acres, and is a representative
farmer. In politics he is republican.

Catharine (Johnson) Gray, widow of Henrj W. Gray, farmer,
Compton, was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, September 1826.
Her youth was spent in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where she re-
sided with her parents. They came to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania,
in 1830, where they remained until she was twenty-five years of age.
In 1855 she removed to Illinois, locating in Lee county. She is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1844 she was married
to Henry W. Gray. She has five children living, three having died
since her husband's death, which occurred twenty-two years ago. Her
three sons at home, Emory, James, and Lewis, are working 160 acres.
They also thresh and shell grain during the season.

William W. Gilmore, farmer, Compton, born in Brooklyn town-
ship, Lee county, November 8, 1835, was the second white child
born in the grove. His mother is living. He had the common school
advantages, such as could be obtained in his pioneer youth. Nearly all
liis life has been spent near his birthplace. Mr. Gilmore has held
local town ofiices for several terms, and given good satisfaction. He is
a chapter Mason, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a
democrat in politics. He was married January 15, 1856, to Regina
Carnahan. They have five children: Jennie, now Mrs. Chas. Guffin,
of Compton ; John, Ida, Hattie, and Floy. He has a 255 acre farm, well
managed, and is building a residence at Compton, where he wnll re-
move. He was engaged during considerable of his life in the dry-
goods and general store business, also in agricultural and hardware, in
Melugin's Grove and at Mendota. Mr. John Gilmore and Hannah, his
wife, father and mother of the subject of this sketch, were the next set-
tlers, after Zachariah Melugin, at the grove, and nearly their entire life
has been spent at or near their early settlement. They have been
identified with the growth and prosperity of Lee county for near half a
century, and have endeared themselves to all who have known them,
Mr. J. Gilmore was a Master Mason in New York, and upon his re-
moval west he was presented with a valuable token of jewels by his
comrades. They are now the heirlooms of Mr. W. W. Gilmore. When
Mr. John Gilmore first settled he had $40 and an old team, which was
all he possessed.

Margaretta (Hannan) Barr, widow of John Barr, farmer, Comp-
ton, came to America in 1850. She landed at the city of New York,
and came directly to Illinois, locating in Lee county. She was born in
county Antrim, Ireland, in May 1833. She received common school
advantages in her native country. Her youth, till seventeen, was spent
there. She was married May 13, 1851, to John Barr, who died in the

VIOLA TOWNSHIP. 615

spring of 1881, leaving herself and nine children. She has a 203 acre
farm, which the youngest son, Alexander, manages for her. It is well
stocked and cultivated. The other children are Martha, Jane, James,
Robert, William, Maggie, Mary, and Ellen. Mary, Ellen and Alex-
ander are at home and are the only members of the family unmarried.

Moses B. Van Campen, farmer, Compton, landed in Illinois on
April 13, 1854, locating in Lee county. He was born in Warren
county, New Jerse}^ October 24, 1816. His mother lived till over
ninety years of age. His father died when young Moses was but
ten years of age. He received common school advantages in his native
state, where he lived till twenty-four years of age on a wooded farm.
In 1840 he moved to Pennsylvania and commenced the clearing of a
new farm, and remained there fourteen years. He was mairied Novem-
ber 30, 1844, to Eliza Ann Winters. They have four children living.
He has now a homestead in Melugin of twenty-five acres. Mr. Yan
Campen holds certificates, bearing date March 29, 1826, from his teacher,
Benjamin Depue, given at Pahaquarry, New Jersey, which are quite
interesting relics of his early school days. In 1854 he began in this
county with only a yoke of oxen and good health. The first town
meeting and the first election in Yiola were held in his house. The
first school in district No. 3 was held for three terms in his house,
with no charge for its use. Mr. Van Campen has been largely iden-
tified with his township, and is among the most respected of her
citizens. He is a Jackson democrat. His children are Cyntha, James,
Emanuel and Cecilia. His son Emanuel manages the homestead
and a rented farm, and is one of the valued young men of his township.

John M. Abell, farmer and carpenter, Compton, was born at St.
Charles, Kan<; county, Illinois, December 25, 1844. His mother is still
living. Mr. Abell has followed the carpenter business for seven years
till the past year. In 1864 he enlisted in the artillery service, Battery
G, 2d reg., and remained till the close of the war. He is a member
of the United Brethren church, and in politics a republican. He mar-
ried, March 11, 1869, Leonora Lazarus, and they have four children:
Charley, Phillip, Harry, and Laura. He has a 143 acre farm, under
good cultivation. Mr. Abell has lived in Viola thirty-six years.

C. F. Van Patten, farmer. Steward, came to Shabbona, De Kalb
county, Illinois, in 1856, where he lived eleven years. He was born in
Glenville, Schenectady county. New York, January 6, 1826, and there
received common school advantages. His youth and early manhood were
spent at home on the farm. In 1868 he moved from De Kalb county to
Viola. He has held several local town offices. He is a leading member
of the Methodist Episcopal society of the flats. He was married October
22, 1855, to Mary Jane Young. They have fourteen children living, one

616 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

dead. He has a 320 acre farm, well managed and well stocked. The
family of Mr. Van Patten are worthy of mention, being of more than
usual intelligence, and all standing high in the estimation of their
neighbors.

Joseph Merrill, farmer, Compton, was born in Hartford township,
Licking county, Ohio, February 14, 1831. His youth and manhood,
till thirty-five years old, was spent in Ohio at the blacksmith trade.
He moved to Viola in 1866. He is a Chapter Mason, and in politics a
democrat. He married, in the summer of 1853, Sarah J. Noe, who
died March 28, 1869. He was again married January 31, 1869, to
Lydia J. Johnson, widow of Alfonso Johnson. He has six "children,
three by first and three by second marriage. The}- have a fine large
farm, formerly the property of A. Johnson.

B. F. Johnson, farmer, Compton, was born in Kane county, Illinois,
March 1, 1846. He had a common school education, mostly received
in Lee county. His youth till about six was spent in Kane county, at
which time he was brought to Viola, Lee county. In the spring of
1865 he enlisted in Co. I, 156th 111. Inf, remaining till the close of the
war. In politics he is a republican. Ile^married, February 21, 1877,
Arrilla Compton. They have two children, Lewis Emory, and An-
drew, He has a 300 acre farm, well stocked and cultivated. Mr. John-
son was mining in Montana territory for six years, from 1870 to 1876,
with more than ordinary success. The lastyear took out over $26,000.
Mr. Johnson's family were the first settlers on the prairie in Viola
township.

EviNS Adrian, stock raiser and farmer, Compton, the genial
proprietor of the Grlenwood farm, was born in county Antrim, Ireland,
October 15, 1815, and received a portion of his education in that
country and partly in Illinois and New York. His youth till about
eighteen was spent in Ireland on a farm. In 1833 he came to America,
landing in Quebec, Canada, where he remained about two years. He
then went to Erie countj^ New York, and remained about two years,
getting $7 per month wages, when he removed and settled in
Illinois, before Lee county was set ofi" or organized. He was married
October 1840, to Mrs. Marilla Smith (widow of Kev. George Smith).
She died in February 1857, and he was again married in July 1857, to
Mary Ann Agler. He has nine children, six b}' the first and three
by the second marriage. His magnificent homestead contains 1300
acres. Mr. Adrian is an aggressive farmer and buys but little stock, and
that only to improve his herds. He usually keeps on hand 200 head
of cattle, 300 sheep, 100 hogs, besides horses and mules sufiicient to
work and manage his farm. He feeds all grain raised, and is a large
purchaser of corn from the adjoining farms. He is selling every year

F. M I L LS

VIOLA TOWNSHIP. 619

large lots of stock, weighing and doing all business at home, having all
conveniences for so doing. In an earl}' day he chopped and split rails
at fifty cents per hundred, and has come up to his now independent
and commanding position only by energy, self-sacrifice, and an indom-
itable will. His daughters, Emma, Marrilla and Sarah, also his
sons, John and Willie, deserve mention, as they have been and are now
largely interested and worthy helps to their father in his vast under-
takings, and now in the shadow of his life remain to cheer and assist
him through. Mr. Adrian has not only done well for himself and
family, but is largely interested in the growth and prosperity of his
township, giving liberally and rendering mature advice in school, road,
and other improvements. He has honored his township by being their
supervisor several terms.

H. B. Cobb, farmer and stock buyer and shipper, Steward, was born
in Tallard, Connecticut, November 27, 1834. His youth till sixteen
was spent in his native state at home. When sixteen years of age he
went to Massachusetts and engaged in a cotton-mill, and remained till
nineteen, and then came west, locating first at Lamoille, Bureau county,
Illinois. Here he worked in a nursery for Samuel Edwards, at $13 per
month. However, he soon after went at regular farming, living there
about four years. In the spring of 1856 he removed to Lee county.
Mr. Cobb had three brothers in the late civil war. He has been super-
visor of Yiola four years, township treasurer about fifteen years. He
is a Mason and a republican. He was married May 15, 1859, to Ellen
C. Beamer. They have five children : Minnie J., Lillie A., George H.,
Flora E. and Laura L. He has a 490 acre homestead, over 900 acres in
Yiola township, and a joint farm in Brooklyn of 110 acres. Mr. Cobb
has one of the finest farm residences in Lee county, and few equal it any-
where, being first-class in all its appointments. His farm is first-class,
well managed, and well watered. He keeps about 250 cattle, on an
average, all the time, also other fine stock. Mr. Cobb is one of the
largest stock raisers and shippers of Lee county, and among the most
popular and energetic farmers.

CuMMiNGS NoE, farmer, Early Dawn, was born in Caldwell, Essex
county, New Jersey, July 20, 1809. He had common school advan-
tages partly in New Jersey and partly in Ohio, going to school part of
two winters in a log school-house without a pane of glass in the build-
ing, a log being left out and oiled paper pasted over the opening to ad-
mit light and keep out the wind. His youth till nine years of age was
spent in New Jersey. About 1817 he moved with his parents to
Franklin county, Ohio, near Columbus, and there remained about two
years, when he again removed to Licking county. His mother died in
Franklin county, and he lived, with a brother-in-law three years near
37

620 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Columbus. He then returned to Licking and lived with his brother,
adjoining his father's place, about three years. In the fall of 1834 he
removed to Illinois, locating and remaining a year in Tazewell county,
then to Franklin, Jo Daviess county, before Lee county was set off, re-
maining over a year, and then to Ogle county for eight years, at the
end of which time he came to Lee county, living in Willow creek for
many j^ears. In 1878 he came to Yiola. His sons William and Amos
enlisted in the summer of 1862 in Co. B, 27th 111. Vol. Inf. They
were in the battle at Yicksburg that season. They contracted disease
from which both died, never returning. Mr. Noe is a member of the
United Brethren church, and is anti-Masonic in politics. He was mar-
ried April 1, 1830, to Martha Parkhurst. They have four children
living (eight deceased). He has a 160-acre homestead, well stocked and
managed. Mr. Noe came to Illinois in company with an elder brother.
Each had a wife and two children in a wagon. All their capital was
health and §10 in money, which not being current had to be returned
to Ohio for exchange, which took many weeks.

ASHTON TOWNSHIP.

This town is located in the north tier of townships. It is one-half
the size of a congressional township, being six miles from east to west
and three miles from north to south. It originally formed a part of
Bradford township. The surface is for the most part undulating.
Stone suitable for building purposes abounds in considerable quantities.
The finest quarry is just north of the village of Ashton, which is said
to be equal in quality to any in northern Illinois for building.

The first person to locateMn the township was Eiastus Anderson,
in 1848. He w^as followed in a few weeks after by his brother Tim-
othy, their father coming in December of the'same year. At that time
there were only four houses to be seen, and part of these were twenty
miles distant. In 1849 a man by the name of Hubbard settled in the
west part of the township. In 1852 Daniel Suter located near the site
of the German Baptist church, and H. Saunders farther to the west.
These comprise most of the settlers of what is now Ashton township
prior to the location of the Northwestern railroad in 1854.

The first settlers of Ashton township say not a tree was to be seen
nearer than the grove, at what is now Franklin ; that game was plenty,
that ducks, geese and sandhill cranes reared their young here in the
swamps, and that chasing the prairie wolf was of frequent occurrence.
Sheep had to be closely guarded. Prairie fires sometimes broke out,
sweeping the grass, which was very abundant, and sometimes the build-

ASHTON TOWNSHIP. 621

ings and crops of the pioneers, leaving behind a black and desolate
waste.

The land of Ashton township was bought principally by specula-
tors about the time the first settlers made their appearance. They
rated it from $5 to $10 per acre. Those with small means settled
farther from the railroads, where land could be had for less money. Ash-
ton township is yet owned largely in large farms, and worked by tenants.

In 1854 emigrants began to come in from every quarter and lo-
cated in Ashton township. In that year the first house was built by
James L. Bates, where the village of Ashton now is. The town was
laid out in 1855. J. L. Bates kept the first store here. The first ware-
house was erected in the latter part of 1854, and in this was kept
the first post-office? The first blacksmith shop was erected in 1855, by
S. M. Kifnes.

The first church erected was tiie Methodist Episcopal, in 1863.
A lot was offered, free of charge, to the church societ}^ which would
erect the first building in the village. The Methodist Episcopal people,
not feeling themselves able to build a durable church, erected a tempo-
rary structure to secure the lot till such time as they were able to build
a durable church. The second church was erected by the Free Method-
ists in 1864. This is said to have been the first church of the kind in
the state. The societ}^ was first organized in Ogle county, four miles
north of Ashton, by J. G. Terrol, in 1860, but for convenience the
society was divided and a church built in Ashton. Among the promi-
nent members at the time of its organization were Charles Butolpk,
Jonathan Dake, Sidney and Melville Beach, Sylvester Forbes, Isaac
Martin, Samuel Walker, James Heed, William Martin, their wives and
others. Rev. Terrol was followed by Rev. W. Underwood. The so-
ciety at one time, shortly after its organization, numbered ninety active
members. It now numbers twenty-five. It is in a flourishing condition.
The society has kept in good running order a Sunday-school most of
the time. It has now united its Sunday-school with that of the Pres-
byterians. Its church principles are absolute freedom and strong oppo-
sition to all secret societies.

The third church erected here was by the Catholics, in 1866. Its
members are for the most part Germans, and number about fifty active
communicants.

The Christian church was built in 1868. The prime leaders were
F. Nettleton, J. P. Taylor, and Peter Plantz. It was organized with
fifteen members. It first held its meetings in the school-house. The
society flourished with the other societies of the town till within the
past two years, when misfortunes beyond its control befell it, but it is
now in a fair way to revive and recover its former standing.

022 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

The German Baptists built their present church house one fourth
of a mile south of town, in 1866. Its membership at the present is
something more than forty, and is in a flourishing condition. The cem-
etery connected with this church is on a beautiful rising ground.

The Presbj'terian church was erected in 1877. The building com-
mittee were Messrs. Mills, Petrie and Polluck. At the time of organ-
ization its membership was fourteen. The leading members were
Griffith, Hutsen, and Brewer. The first minister was Rev. S. Vale ;
present pastor. Rev. Jordan. The present elders are S. F. Mills and J.
Brewer. The society is in good condition.

The Lutheran society holds its meetings in the Presbyterian
church.

The Masons and Odd-Fellows each have a society here. The for-
mer was organized in 1862, and is prosperous. The latter was organ-
ized in 1867, and though not so numerous in members is enjoying a
good degree of prosperity.

Temperance orders of various kinds have sprung up at various in-
tervals, only to be lost sight of and suffered to die.

Ashton boasts of the finest school building in the county. It is a

stone edifice erected at a cost of $28,000. The school employs six

teachers.

THE ASHTON BANK.

This bank was opened by Mills & Petrie in 1867. During its exist-
ence it has never closed its doors. During the month of June, 1881,
it received checks amounting to over $80,000, the greater part of which
was for produce shipped from this point.

Ashton has several times been visited with very destructive fires
for a town of its size. The first fire of note was in 1863. The grain ele-
vator was burned, and the loss was estimated at $2,000. Next, the
Ashton flouring mill burned in 1863 ; loss, $60,000. In 1871 the railroad
property, which consisted of two tanks, the depot and a coal-house,
in which were stored 1,200 tons of coal; in addition to the rail-
road property, a lumber yard and four dwelling houses were burned,
the estimated loss being $75,000. This fire originated in the coal-house.
In 1874 the hay-press and elevator were burned ; a loss of $30,000.
Besides these fires named there have been numerous smaller ones.

At the present time Ashton has three elevators, two hotels, and
flouring mill, six churches and seven congregations, one bank, of which
Mills & Petrie are the sole proprietors, and several very good stores
for a country town. The Masons and Odd-Fellows are the only secret
societies.

There has been but one tragedy in the township. The perpetrator
of the heinous crime of wife-poisoning was a man by the name of

ASHTON TOWNSHIP, 623

McGee. He was a minister stationed at Ashton. It seems the vil-
lain had become enamored of another besides his wife, and not possess-
ing moral courage sufficient to free himself from the matrimonial bonds
in an honorable way, resorted to poison as a means of putting his wife
out of the way. Strichnine was his agent; this he gave to his wife in
minute quantities for some time. The doctor was summoned, but not
suspecting the treacherous villainy that was being practiced, did not
discover what had been done till a short time before she died. The
fatal dose was administered by him just before he repaired to the church
to preach. He was arrested and incarcerated in the county jail. He
then thought to place his crime upon his fourteen-year-old daughter by
making her sign a paper stating that she had poisoned her mother. In
this he failed. He was tried, convicted and sent to the state peniten-
tiary for a term of fourteen years. His wife was much loved and
respected by the community, as are his children, and no one reflects on
them the villainy over which they had no control, but all are filled
with sympathy for their misfortune.

W. A. Peteie, of the firm of Petrie & Mills, bankers, Ashton, was
born in 1842, near Syracuse, New York, and is the son of Rudolph
and Elizabeth (Yrooman) Petrie, natives of New York. His parents
were of German descent, and his maternal grandfather was captain of
a fort in the pioneer times of New York, and was killed and scalped
by the Indians; and a son was also killed and mutilated in the most
horrible manner. The Yroomans are an old established family of New
York. W. A. Petrie received a fair education and came to Lee county
in 1858, and went into partnership with his present partner, Mr. S. F.
Mills. Mr. Mills is a native of New York, born in 1830 near Utica,
and is the son of Loran A. and E. (Petrie) Mills, natives of New York.
Mr. Mills' father was colonel of the state militia. His father was of
Scotch extraction, his mother of English descent. He came to Ashton
in 1854 and engaged in the grain and lumber trade and was joined by
Mr. Petrie in 1858. In 1861 they gave up the grain and lumber
trade and engaged in the mercantile trade, and in one year sold $109-
000 worth of goods, their yearly average being $80,000. In 1867 they
quit the mercantile business and opened a private banking house in
Ashton, in which business they still remain. They were both married
in 1879 at the same ceremony : Mr. Petrie to Sarah E. Howard,
daughter of William and Mary Howard, natives of England, who emi-
grated to America in 1856 and settled in Ohio, and Mr. Mills to
Louisa Getman, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Yrooman) Getman,
natives of New York. They live in the same house on a beautiful
farm one mile west of Ashton. Mr. Petrie has held the office of
notary public for twelve years, and is elected for four years more. He

624 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

has been trustee of the township four years and still holds the office,
and was supervisor for two years. They constitute a firm of liv^e
business men, who have the business confidence of the community.

Sidney Beach, farmer and stock raiser, Ashton,was born in Delaware
county, Ohio, in 18S7, and is the son of Israel and Roda (Lockwood)
Beach, natives of New York. The former was by trade a shoemaker.
They settled in Ohio in 1822 and engaged in the business of farming,
which pursuit they followed the remainder of their lives. They were
members of the Presbyterian church. Israel Beach served in the war
of 1812 as drummer. Sidney Beach remained in Ohio till he was fif-
teen years old, then came to Ogle county, Illinois, with an older sister,
where he remained three years and accumulated some property, which
lie lost ; hence he says his "first three years in Illinois were spent in
getting experience." He returned to Ohio when eighteen, but after a
lapse of three years returned to Ogle county and began trading in cat-
tle as much as he was able, which proved to be quite lucrative. Then
he speculated in land to some extent. In 1856 he was married to
Sarah Yandermark, daughter of Daniel and Anna Yandermark, na-
tives of Pennsylvania. By this marriage he has three children:
Clement L., Jessie C. and Sidney. Mrs. Beach's father was of Ger-
man descent and a button-maker by trade. Her mother was of Eng-
lish extraction and both were members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Beach owns 680 acres of good farming land. He markets
isome grain, but stock principally. He is a prominent republican, and
was formerly a whig. He took an active part in raising recruits dur-
ing the war. He and his wife are members of the Free Methodist
church. He began life for himself with less than $10, and what he
now possesses is the result of his own industry.

James King, farmer, Ashton, was born in Merrimac county, New
Hampshire, in 1821. His parents were John and Sarah (Hill) King,
natives of New Hampshire and children of English parents. James'
grandfather was Gen. Wolfe's aide-de-camp at the battle of Quebec. His
parents came to Illinois, where they spent their last days at the resi-
dence of their son. Mr. King received but little educational training
in his early youth. He emigrated to Illinois in 1854 and settled in
Bradford township, where he remained till 1875 engaged in farming.
Having sold his farm of 165 acres he moved to Ashton. He was married
in 1849, to Rolana Barnard, daughter of Ezekiel and Judith (Sargent)
Barnard. She was born in Warren county, New Hampshire. By this
union he has three children : Almon E., Walter B. and Flora D. His
two boys are at present engaged in the mercantile business in Red-
wood, Minnesota. Mr. King, like most men who came to Illinois in the
time of its first settlement, had but little means, but by judicious

ASHTON TOWNSHIP. 625

management and industry prospered. After selling his farm he has
lived in Ashton, where he has a beautiful home and forty acres near
the village. He has held the offices of commissioner and supervisor.
In politics he is a staunch republican.

Peter Plantz, farmer, Ashton, was born in New York in 1805,
and is the son of Richard and Maria Plantz, both of whom were of Ger-
man descent, and members of the Lutheran church. Peter was edu-
cated in the common schools of his native state. He was married in
New York, to Margret Putman, daughter of John and Catherine Put-
man, natives of New York, and members of the Dutch Reformed
church ; both were of Holland extraction. Mr. Plantz has by this
coalition six children : Yictor, Margret, Henry, Hannah, and Abraham.
He came to Illinois in 1851 and settled in Ogle county, where he re-
mained till 1856, when he came to Ashton, where he has since lived.
Until recently he was engaged in farming, but has sold his farm and
retired from business. He served three years as commissioner of high-
ways. The success of Mr. Plantz is due wholly to his energy and in-
dustry. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. He
has a comfortable home at Ashton, where he expects to enjoy the
fruits of his former labors.

Melville Beach, farmer and stock raiser, Ashton, was born in
Essex county. New Jersey, in 1812, and is the son of Israel and Roda
(Lockwood) Beach, both natives of New Jersey. The former was a
shoemaker by trade, and with his family emigrated to Ohio in 1822.
He engaged in farming, which pursuit he followed the remainder of
his life. He and his wife were devoted members of the Presbyterian
faith. Israel Beach served in the war of 1812 as drummer. Melville
received his education in the pioneer schools of Ohio, where he resided
till 1852. He was married in 1851, to Eliza Scott, a native of Connecti-
cut, and daughter of Cark and Flora (Beckley) Scott, who emigrated
to Ohio in 1835, when she was six years old. Her parents were Pres-
byterian, and her father by trade was a button-maker, and raised a
family of seven children. Mr. Melville Beach has a family of four
children : Melville W., three years a student of Wheaton College ;
Melva E., music teacher, educated at Spring Abbej^, Michigan, and
Wheaton College; Cora C. and Esmarelda A. Mr. and Mrs. Beach
have been members of the Free Methodist church since its organization
here in 1860. Mr. Beach is one of the active members of the Free
Methodist church at this place, having been class leader nearly all the
time since its organization, as well as filling other offices of the
church and Sunday-school at different intervals. In his early life he
followed the trade of his father. Having previously purchased land in
Lee county, he moved in 1852 with his family to Ogle county, where

626 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

he remained two years, and then came to Ashton, where he has since
resided. He now owns a fine farm of 1273 acres, upon which he raises
hogs and cattle, and owns a very pleasant home in the village of
Ashton. He is a radical anti-secret-society and anti-slavery man, and a
staunch republican.

Riley Paddock, farmer, merchant and banker, Ashton, is a native
of Ohio, born in 1810, and is the son of Ebenezer and Nancy Paddock,
natives of Kentucky. They first settled in Butler county, Ohio, then
in Clark county, of the same state, and subsequently emigrated to Vigo
county, Indiana. Mrs. Paddock was a member of the Baptist faith.
Riley Paddock received such educational training as was to be had in
the pioneer schools of Ohio. He was married in Vigo county, Indiana,
to Eliza Snoddy ; she and her parents were natives of Kentucky. By
this coalition he has four children : Bell Jane, Mary E., Victoria,
and William E. The girls have all been students of Mount Morris
Seminai'y, Illinois. William E. was educated at Jennings College,
Aurora, Illinois, and is now engaged in the mercantile trade with his
father, in Ashton. They deal in boots and shoes, and dry goods. Their
trade amounts annually to about $25,000. Mr. Paddock settled in
Ogle county, Illinois, in 1837, where he remained till he came to Ash-
ton. He began life with limited means; he has made farming his
principal business. In 1872 he became one of the charter members of
the First National Bank at Forest, Illinois, of which he has been, since
its organization, one of its directors, and is now vice-president and
director. He owns 300 acres of fine farming land, which he has well
stocked, and 160 acres of Iowa land. He and his wife were formerly
members of the Christian church. In politics he is a republican.

Erastus Anderson, farmer, Ashton, is a native of Canada West,
and was born in 182-1. He is the son of John H. and Martha (Mor-
gan) Anderson ; the former, a native of New York, emigrated with his
father to Canada when sixteen years of age, where he grew up. He
served as a British soldier in the war of 1812, and was in the battle of
Lundy's Lane. In 1848 he came to Lee county, where he remained the
balance of his life. Erastus Anderson's mother was a native of Canada,
and died a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Anderson
came first to Michigan, where he remained till 1816, w^hen he settled in
Ogle county, where he lived till the spring of 1848, when he settled in
the northeast part of Ashton township, where he still lives. He was
married in 1847, to Mary Halverd, a native of Norwaj^ by whom he
has had two children : Roda A., now Mrs. W. M. F. Clark, and John H.
Mr. Anderson's education is only such as he has been able to obtain in
active business. He began life for himself by working at whatever he
could earn a penny, and so continued till he had saved enough to buy

ASHTON TOWNSHIP. 627

eighty acres of land ; then he began farming for himself. In politics
he has always been a republican. Erastus Anderson's grandfather was
a sliip-carpenter by trade, a Scotchman by birth, and emigrated to
Canada. His paternal grandmother by birth was a German ; his mater-
nal grandmother's people formerly came from Ireland. Mr. Anderson
has a fine farm two and one-half miles northeast of Ashton. It is well
improved and well stocked. .•;..,

Henry Saunders, jr., farmer and stock raiser, Ashton, is a native
of Hardin county, Pennsylvania, born in 1826, and is the son of Henry
and Mary (Buck) Saunders, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of Ger-
man extraction, and farmers by trade. They left to their children a
handsome propert}"^, but owing to the course pursued by the adminis-
trators it was all lost and their children became penniless. H. Saun-
ders, sr., was captain of the state militia. By faith he was a Catholic.
H. Saunders, jr., came to Illinois in 1845, and remained one year, then
returned to his native state, and came again to Illinois after an absence
of almost two years. He was married in 1851, to Kachel Morgan, a
native of Illinois, daughter of Edward and ISTancy Morgan, both natives
of Ohio. They have nine children : Wiufield B., Joseph J. F., Jerome
(deceased), Alice (deceased), Jane, John, Edward, Lucy, and Harry L.
He has an excellent farm of 286 acres, situated two miles west of Ash-
ton, which is well improved and well stocked. He and his wife are
not members of any christian sect, but believe in the practice of chris-
tian principles. Formerly he was a republican, but is now a democrat.

A. A. Heckart, grain buyer, Ashton, is a native of Pennsylvania,
and a son of Peter and Elizabeth Heckart, both natives of Pennsyl-
vania, but now living one half mile north of the village of Ashton. A.
A. Heckart was born in 1844. He received a good common school
education. He first engaged in the mercantile business in Ashton. He
is now employed at Ashton by George H. Taylor & Co., grain mer-
chants, where he has been for several years. He was married in 1868,
to Mary J. Colwell, of Iowa, and they Jiave one child. Temperance.
He served in the war of the rebellion, first in Co. B, 46th 111. Yols.,
was wounded at Shiloh, and discharged from the service. Having re-
covered he again entered the service of his country in the 75th 111.
Vols., in Co. G. Altogether he served two years and ten months. In
politics he is strictly republican. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. at
Ashton.

John A. Andrus, attorney, Ashton, is a native of New York,
born in 1833, and is a son of Elim and Margaret (Mooney) Andrus,
both natives of New York. John's grandfather, Benjamin Andrus,
served in the revolutionary war. His literary education is that of the
common school and the Holly Academy of New York. He graduated

628 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

in the Bryant & Stratton Commercial Business College, ISTew York.
He then read law for some time, and then came west and taught school
in Michigan two years, and at Rochelle and Ashton each one year.
He was engaged in the mercantile business for twelve years, and in
farming for a time. In 1877 he was admitted to practice law in
Michigan, and in 1878 was admitted to the bar in Illinois. He was
examined before the appellate court at Chicago, in a class of forty-nine,
seven of whom were rejected. He has since practiced in Ashton.
He held the office of police justice in Ashton for four years. He and
all his family, so far back as he can tell, have been members of the
democratic party. He w^as married in 1861, to Rhoda A. Siple, daughter
of John and Harriet Siple, of Ohio. They have two children : Dora
A., a senior of the class of '82 of the University of Champaign, her
'course being that of literature and science. The second child is an
infant.

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

CONTRIBUTED BY WILLIAM B. ANDRUSS.

At the time Lee county adopted township organization, in 1850,
Hamilton embraced what is now Hamilton, East Grove, May, and the
south half of Marion, and William B. Stuart was its first supervisor,
he serving two years in that capacit}', when R. B. Yiele succeeded him
for the next three years. In 1855 W. B. Stuart was again elected and
continued in the office that and the following year. In 1856 the board
of supervisors took oif what is now the township of May, still leaving
two and a half congressional townships in its territory. In 1859
Marion was organized, taking T. 20 N., R.. 9 E. as its limits, thus
again taking from Hamilton a half congressional township. In 1865
T. 19 N., R. 9 E. was organized, taking the name of East Grove, leav-
ing Hamilton with only the territory of one congressional township,
T. 19 N., R. 8 E. of the 4th P. M., and these are its present limits
and it is the southwest corner town of Lee county.

SETTLEMENT.

Prior to township organization, as adopted in 1850, within the
present limits of Hamilton there were no settlers except the Indians,
and none of the inhabitants can speak of exercising the right of suf-
frage at precincts, as some in other townships of earlier settlement do.
From the best information the writer can obtain the first dwelling built
in the limits of this town was by Charles or Ross Freeman on the S. ^
of Sec. 32, — the date not known, — which was afterward moved to
another location and remodeled into a school-house. The first man to

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 629

build a house and make a home in this township was a German by the
name of Jacob Pope, who came in 1854 and settled on the S. ^ of
S.E. J of Sec. 26. Morris Logue, from ISTew Jersey, occupied the
N. ^ of K.E. ^ of Sec. 27, built a shanty and broke up his land in the
same year, and the next season brought his family. David and John
Knight came from Ohio also in 1854, and having purchased Sec. 35 at
once began improvements. They boarded in Walnut that year, but
in 1855 erected a house on their land. In the spring of 1857 David
Griggs, another Ohio man, settled on the S.E. ^ of Sec. 34. His
house had been built the year before by a man whom he had sent for
that purpose. J. F. McMnrray, a Pennsylvanian, arrived in the
spring of 1857 and made a home on the S.E. J of Sec. 33. Amos T.
Kegwin, of Windham, Connecticut, purchased the IT.W. ^ of Sec. 27 in
1856 and built a house thereon in 1858, and has occupied it since. He
and liis son, Horace Kegwin, together have added piece by piece until
they now have a section or more in all in the vicinity of the original
purchase. In the summer of 1858 Anson Stone's house was built by
E. D. Carpenter on the N.E. J of Sec. 26, the same now occupied by
his son, R. P. Stone. J. Shields bought and occupied the N. ^ of
]^.E. i of Sec. 24 and most of the S.E. I of Sec. 13 in 1858. William
Sculley settled on the E. i of N.W. I of Sec. 24 in 1858. Michael
Dunn came to his farm, the S.E. I and the S. ^ of N.W. i of Sec. 24
in 1859. Bennett Havens was early in the town on the S. ^ of N.E. ^
of Sec. 36, and served for several years as supervisor. He is now at
Walnut station. L. B. Moore, on the S.W. i and W. ^ of N.W. i of
Sec. 24, and M. Fleming on the S. ^ of S.W. ^, were also among the
early settlers and still occupy the same. J. L. Reed came to the W. |-
of S.E. I of Sec. 23 in 1862. Rev. K G. Collins, a Baptist clergy-
man for a time residing in Lamoille, figured largely in lands of this
town on both sides of the Green river, and still holds some. All the
foregoing settlers were south of the swamp. That part of the town-
ship lying north remained unsettled for many years and served as a
range for large herds of cattle. The first improvements on that side
were made by non-resident owners who rented their lands. Of this
class A. T. Anderson, of Polo, opened a large farm on the north part
of Sec. 7. Perhaps the first to break any of the prairie for cultivation
in this part of the town was William Rink, on Sec. 5. He resided in
Dixon and rented it. The first to inhabit that portion was John D.
Shafer, a bachelor, who built a cabin on Sec. 8 and herded cattle there
for several years. James Durr was on the N.W. ^ of N.W. J of Sec.
19 in 1862.

The Winnebago swamp on either side of Inlet creek covered nearly
the whole township while in a state of nature. A few sections in the

630 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

southeast and northwest corners were comparatively higher and drier.
A former writer in speaking of it says: " It is ahiiost entirel}^ covered
by what is known as Winnebago swamp, which renders a great por-
tion of it uninhabitable at the present time." The lands, however, to
quite an extent have been bought up by actual settlers, who resort to
drainage. Some parties owning large tracts have made large ditches,
and every year the swamp is growing perceptibly less. The probabil-
ities are that ere many years it will be the most desirable land in the
county. The soil is of the richest quality, and of great depth.

SCHOOLS.

The first school taught in this town was in a room of David Griggs'
present residence, by Mrs. Cornelia Mayona, daughter of A. T. Keg-
win, in 1861 or 1862, and Miss Lizzie Larkins followed in the suc-
ceeding summer, and still later Miss Lavina Swisher followed her. Mr.
McMurray moved over into Bureau county, and the house he left was
made into a school-house, and Mrs. Mayona taught there. All this was
before school districts were organized, and teachers were paid by private
subscription. In the fall of 1863 or 1861: school district No. 1 was or-
ganized, and the next spring a building was bought of Ross Freeman
on Sec. 32, and moved near David Griggs, on the southwest corner of
Sec. 34. This was used until 1874, when a new school-house was
erected, the site being on the west side of the W. ^ ot'N.W. J Sec. 35.
It is a beautiful structure, and speaks well for the educational interests
of its vicinity. School district No. 2 was organized about the same
time as district No. 1, and the first school was taught in a portion of
Thadeus May's dwelling, on Sec. 26, by Miss Lydia Havens. The first
school-house was built in 1864 or 1865, at the southeast corner of S.E.
^ Sec. 25. Afterward it was moved to the southwest corner of Sec.
25, where it still is. There are four parts of school districts united
with other towns, one each with Walnut, East Grove, Harmon, and
Hahnaman.

The first preaching that the settlers of Hamilton township had was
in a little school-house known as the Dodge school-house, on the prai-
rie south of the county line. The Sabbath was but little respected at
first, as nearly everyone w^ent gunning on that day, and to reform this
habit David Griggs, William Griggs, Solomon Welsh, J. F. McMur-
ray, Johnson Griggs and J. H. Knight contributed to pay for preach-
ing, and employed a neighbor, the Rev. Ford, who lived at the east end
of Red Oak Grove, paj'ing him fifty cents for each Sunday. The sing-
ing was led by Prof. I. B. Dodge, with his violin. It was not a devout
congregation; few, possibly none, of those who attended the services
were professing christians, nevertheless they recognized the necessity

EAST GKOVE TOWNSHIP. 631

for divine worship in the settlement, and tlins were the sweet influences
of better things inaugurated. The Rev. Lumery, who sometimes used
strong language, remarked of this beginning that "the singing was fit
to be heard anywhere, but the religious propensities of the people be-
longed to the devil." There are no religious organizations in this
township, but a Baptist church was organized just over the south line
in Walnut, in Bureau county, at the house of John H. Sayer, in May
1853, and half of the organizers were from this town, namely, Amos
T. Kegwin, Alice K. Kegwin, his wife; Ezekiel Sayers, Caroline Say-
ers, his wife ; S. H. Sayers, and Mrs. Lyda Stone, while from Walnut
there were John H. Sayers, William Mapes, Susan Mapes, his wife ;
Thadeus May and his wife, and I. B. Dodge. For a number of years
after organizing meetings were held at irregular intervals at the dwell-
ings of John H. Sayers, Ezekiel Sayers, Amos T. Kegwin, and some
others, ministered to by itinerants ; no regular pastor settled over them
until 1870, when the Rev. Mr. First was called, and the village of
Walnut having sprang up the location of the church was removed
there, and services at stated times were held, and soon after, in 1871, a
fine church building was erected, and the means of grace thus used have
been blessed, and " numbers have been added to them," until now they
have a membership of over 100.

EAST GROVE TOWNSHIR

CONTRIBUTED BY WILLIAM B. ANDKUSS.

This township was originally in what was known as Winnebago
precinct, the voting place being for a time at Samuel Meek's and then
at David Welty's. In 1850 Lee county adopted township organiza-
tion, and what is now the townsliip of East Grove was embraced
with May, Hamilton, and the south half of Marion, all called Ham-
ilton. In 1856 May was organized therefrom, and in 1859 Marion,
and it was not until 1865 that East Grove was organized in its present
boundaries, namely, T. 19 N., R. 9 E., and Fen wick Anderson was its
supervisor for that and the succeeding year. It is of the south tier of
towns of the county and the second from the southwest corner.

SETTLEMENT.

Esq. Charles Falvey purchased a claim of one William T. Wells in
1836, and occupied it in 1837. This was in what is now the north
half of Sec. 34, in the grove that afterward gave the name to the town.
On the north his nearest neighbor was a Mr. Robinson, six miles dis-
tant in the south part of what is now Marion, who afterward (in 1839)

632 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

sold his claim to David Weltj, Esq. Falvey has resided there almost
continuously since. He owns lands also in Bureau county, a little
south, near Ohio station, and a portion of the time he has resided
there. He is of an active, energetic make-up, and has been identified,
in some phase, with almost every movement in not only the township
of East Grove but the surrounding towns in Lee and Bureau counties.
He enlisted under Thomas Carlin, afterward governor of Illinois, and
served through the Black Hawk war. ISTow in his old age he is with
an only child, a daughter, Mrs. Weldon, on his farm near Ohio station,
his wife having been dead many years. Joseph Smith (familiarly known
as "Dad Joe") settled in 1833 in the grove bearing his name, south-
west of East Grove, some three miles in Bureau county. He was a
guide for Gen. Atkinson's army, and a spy under Zachary Taylor in
the Black Hawk war. H. W. Bogardus was also prominent as a settler
of early date. In 1839 David Welty resided a short time in the north
part of this town, while erecting buildings on a claim he purchased of
a Mr. Robinson, in the south part of what is now Marion. His residence
has been in Marion and Dixon ever since, and will be spoken of in no-
tices of them no doubt. Fenwick Anderson came from Canandaigua,
New York, to Dixon in the fall of 1811, and remained there until 1819,
then came to what is now the S. ^ of Sec. 31 of East Grove. He pur-
chased a claim of Robert Tate. This Mr. Tate was a workman in the plow
shops of John Deere, at Grand Detour. His family, with a son-in-law
by the name of Kyes, worked the claim until Mr. Anderson bought it.
This house, a rude log structure, was for a number of years a stage
depot on the Galena and Peoria road. When he came his nearest
neighbor on the north was 'Squire Falvey, on the east Aaron Kelly. In
1852 he, with S. P. Mcintosh, put up a kiln of 200,000 brick in the
south part of the grove, which when burned proved most excellent,
and from which he built his present residence in 1853. Thomas Shehan
came to Bureau county in 1814, and moved to Sec. 35, in East Grove,
in 1849, buying a claim of one John Kasbier. S. P. Mcintosh came
from Alton, Illinois, at the time of the land sales in Dixon, and pur-
chased the E. ^ of Sec. 36 of East Grove township, and the E. ^ of
Sec. 1 in Ohio township, though he did not occupy it until 1856. John
Downey, A. A. Spooner, John Flynn, M. Coleman, A. Barlow, D.
Sullivan, Henry Hubbell and Samuel Tubbs settled in this town soon
after those formerly mentioned.

In 1842 John W. Harrison, a deputy sheriff from Toronto, Canada,
while on a visit to this region, was murdered by James S. Bell, near
the N. W. corner of Sec. 35. David Welty, then a justice of the peace,
held the preliminary examination on a charge of murder, and committed
him to jail at Dixon, to await his trial in the circuit court, if indicted

EAST GROVE TOWNSHIP. 633

by the grand jury. A bill of indictment was found and returned into
court September 13, 184:2. After motions to quash the indictment
and continue the case to the next term had been denied, a change of
venue was taken, and Judge Thomas C. Browne, then presiding, sent
the case to Whitesides county circuit, where he was tried, convicted of
manslaughter, and sentenced to the Alton penitentiary. After serving
a part of the term of his sentence he escaped from the prison and was
never retaken.

A charter was granted by the legislature of this state to H. W.
Cleveland, who built a tnrnpike in Sec. 3 of this town effecting a cross-
ing over Inlet creek, and a toll-gate was kept at the southern terminus.
This was on the Peoria and Galena stage route. Mr. Cleveland sold
his interest to a Mr. Millard, and his heirs to Charles Crofts. All this
was prior to 1849.

A somewhat detailed account of a murder committed in this town
in 1849 is here given, as it has a connection with the "Banditti of the
Prairie " of those times, and perhaps was the last of their depredations
committed, as so many in this case were implicated and came to their
death that it broke np the gang.

The one giving an account of this murder says : " In the summer of
1849, on a Monday morning, Charles Crofts (reputed to belong to the
gang or band of the 'Banditti') came to Hyra Axtell, and the two
came to my house inquiring if I had seen or heard anything of Crofts'
hired girl. Her name was Salina Montgomery, aged about fifteen
years. JSTeither myself nor family could give any tidings, not having
seen or heard of her for some time. Crofts claimed that she had dis-
appeared without saying anything to the family of her intention of
going away, and what had become of her was a mystery. Axtell took
an opportunity to communicate with me, unobserved by Crofts, and
said he believed there was something wrong in the matterj and that
the neighborhood should be informed and a search made. I agreeing
with his suggestion, we accompanied Crofts to his house (being con-
nected with the toll-gate on the south end of the turnpike) and were
with him about the premises. There were three men mowing not far
from the house, Eli Shaw, and the names of the other two I cannot re-
member, except that the first name of one was Dennis. There was also
in their company one Samuel Perkins, usually called ' Sam Patch,' hav-
ing a rifle with him. After being there some time and having conversa-
tion with them in various phases, Axtell and myself became more fully
convinced that a misdemeanor had been committed. We concluded to
go in different directions and inform the mother of the missing girl,
who resided in Dad Joe Grove, or in that vicinity, and the neighbor-
hood generally. He went west and south, and I north and east, and

634 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

by night near a hundred people had gathered. We searched that night
through the woods and grass, and the next day until noon, and finally
Crofts' house. Crofts had stated that the girl had taken all her clothes
with her. While searching the second story we discovered that one
of the ceiling boards had marks of having been recently moved and re-
placed. We took ofi the board and found the best clothes of the miss-
ing girl, and under them implements for making counterfeit half
dollars. These incidents strengthened the convictions of foul pla3\ A
consultation of the crowd was had, and two (W. B. Stuart and James
Blainsen) were deputed to goto Dixon for a boat witli which to explore
Green river. There was an element of the credulous who sent two
(Samuel Meek, jr., and Patrick McFadden) to consult a fortune-teller.
The search was continued while these committees were gone, but
without success. The committees returned ; the one with a boat and
Nathaniel G. N. Morrill, the owner, and the other reporting that the
fortune-teller said a murder had been committed, and live persons were
implicated, that the one who had committed the overt act had neither
boots on nor was barefooted, that he was ragged, and wore a straw hat,
that the law would never be enforced against any of them, and yet the
public would be satisfied that they were the ones who were concerned
in the matter. Perkins wore moccasins and otherwise answered the
description of the one first spoken of. The search went on. This N.
G. N. Morrill was peculiarly well adapted for working in business like
this. About this time Stuart and Blair, each with a party of men,
went to their respective homes for dinner, and when Blair arrived his
wife informed him that Perkins had been there during the forenoon,
looking pale and haggard, and inquired of her if they had dragged the
lower bayou. She told him she did not know, and he went away
hurriedly. Blair deemed this important tidings, hurried through his
dinner, and came to Stuart's with the information, and on consultation a
complaint w^as made and a warrant was issued by 'Squire Stuart for the
arrest of Perkins, and placed in the hands of Constable Willard and
Richard Meek. Previous to this Perkins had been living in a shanty
in the grove, about half way between Crofts' and the baj^ou. On the
search being instituted, he removed his family and effects to his father-
in-law's, Reuben Bridgman, a little north of the present limits of the
city of Amboy. The constable, vvith his assistants, proceeded to Mr.
Bridgman's and were informed by him that Perkins had taken his rifle
only a short time before and went into the cornfield (of about 30 acres)
to hunt chickens.

More assistants were procured, and the cornfield was surrounded.
By this time it was about ten o'clock at night, with a bright moon.
The family at Mr. Bridgman's were in bed except Perkins' wife. The

(yf,a,%lirct

EAST GECVE TOWNSHIP. 637

old gentleman got up and stated that Perkins had not yet returned
since going into the cornfield in the afternoon. He pointed to a cotton-
wood tree, which he said was in the direction Perkins had taken, that
a little before sunset they heard the report of a gun which they
supposed was a shot at prairie-chickens. Constable Willard, with Richard
Meek, James Keeling, W. B. Stuart, and F. R. Dutcher, went in the
direction of the tree, and a few rods before reaching it they found Per-
kins lying on his back, dead. Notice was given to those around the
field, and a crowd was soon there. Perkins was still grasping his gun
with both hands, and the toe of his moccasined foot was in the guard
on the trigger, the muzzle on his breast. A portion of the skull was
found nearly a rod from the body, the inside powder-burnt. The coro-
ner (Solomon Parker) was sent for, who summoned a jury of inquest.
The}^ investigated the case and rendered the following verdict : " The
undersigned being duly summoned and qualified by the coroner of Lee
county, as a jury of inquest on the dead body of Samuel Perkins, found
dead in the cornfield near Reuben Bridgman's, believe the said Perkins
came to his death by shooting himself with a rifle-gun through the
head." (Signed) " Jessee Hale, foreman ; W. B. Stuart, Richard
Meek, Francis H. Northway, Joseph Farwell, William M. Hopkins,
Samuel Bixby, Elisha Palmer, John C. Church, Ira P. Hale, John
Skinner, R. P. Treadwell. Inlet precinct, August 3, 1849." Mean-
while the search for the missing girl had been going on. This Mr.
Morrill adopted the plan of going down the stream to where it loses
itself as to having a channel by spreading over the swamp, and by
wading upward thoroughly searching every part. It was a dry time
and the water quite low. This plan was followed, and when the
mouth of the little bayou (as the coroner termed it in his report) was
nearly reached, the body was found. The upper part of the face was
bruised as though struck with some heavy substance, and some insist
that a bullet-hole was in the forehead. The excitement ran high, the
male portion of the country for a dozen or more miles in every di-
rection had come out. Coroner Parker was among the number and at
once impaneled a jury of inquest, who took possession of the body
and held their inquest. The following witnesses were examined, as the
records show : Drs. J. B. Gregory, of Dixon, and Harmon Wasson, of
Amboy, as physicians; Samuel Meek, sr., Eli Shaw, John Koons, Hyra
Axtell, I^. G. H. Morrill, Samuel Shaw, Richard Meeks, T. L. Dennis,
Charles Crofts, Sally Perkins, Catharine Shaw, and Lyman Hubbard.
After the examination closed, the following verdict was rendered :
" We, the undersigned, having been summoned and sworn to hold a
jury of inquest on the dead body of Silena Montgomery, found dead
in Inlet creek, in Winnebago precinct, Lee county, and State of Illi-
38

( HISTOKY OF LEE COUNTY.

nois, and having attended to their duty by a faithful examination of the
said body, and by an examination of witnesses in the case and all dili-
gent inquiry they have been able to institute, do report their verdict to
be, that the said Silena Montgomery came to her death by violence, and
that one Samuel Perkins, late of Lee county, was the immediate agent
in procuring her death, as we verily believe." (Signed) " George E. Has-
kell, foreman ; Joseph Gardner, Sabin Trowbridge, I. Means, Alva
Hale, L. D. Wasson, Lewis Clapp, Cyrus Williams, Philip Mowry,
Joseph Lewis, Ozias Wheeler and B. F. Brandon. Winnebago pre-
cinct, August 4, 1849." The circumstances surrounding led to the con-
clusion that Crofts, Eli Shaw, and the two others that w^ere found mow-
ing for Crofts at the commencement of the search, were implicated in

the affair. Warrants were issued, and W. B. Stuart and Cui-tis

were deputed to arrest Crofts and Shaw. They, with Hyra Axtell,
started, and on the way, near Samuel Meek's, they found a team and
lumber wagon, and in it lay Eli Shaw dead. One report is that ho died
from the effects of strychnine and whisky, and that it was found that
he had purchased some of the former at Dixon, of Dr. Gregory, on that
day. From the records in Dixon it is found that a coroner's inquest
was not held until March 1, 1850. As his death occurred so long be-
fore this he was probably buried and exhumed when the inquest was
held. The verdict was as follows : " Yerdict of the coroner's jury, im-
paneled to ascertain how and in what manner the body of Eli Shaw
came to its death. We, the jury in said case, do find that Eli Shaw
came to his death from causes to the jury unknown. Dixon, March 1,
1850." (Signed) " John Dement, foreman ; A. L. Porter, A. H. Eddy, L
Means, N. F. Porter, J. W. Davis, J. M. Cropsy, C. A. Smith, John
Y. Eustace, Thomas H. Ayers, Cyrus Williams, N. G. H. Morrill."

After leaving the body of Shaw in the care of Meeks the three be-
fore mentioned went on to Crofts' house, arriving there at a late hour
of the night. Near the door they found a horse and spring-wagon
and a trunk in the wagon. Crofts was about ready to go away.
Through a rift in the window curtain they saw him load one pistol and
lay it upon the table near him and take up another and commence to
load it. At this jimcture the door was burst open, the loaded pistol
and Crofts grabbed at the same time, and Crofts duly ironed by the
arresting party. The trunk was taken from the wagon, Crofts placed
in it, and Stuart hurriedly drove to Dixon and delivered the prisoner to
the jailor. Crofts' wife and her brother, John Bryant, were in the
house at the time of the arrest but did not attempt to interfere. The
remaining two implicated ones left this vicinity, but were heard of at
Peoria, and the officers having the warrants for their arrest proceeded
there, found and took them in charge. They were ironed and placed

EAST GROVE TOWNSHIP. 639

upon a steamer for Peru, there to take the stage for Dixon. Not long
after leaving Peoria the prisoners, having the privilege of walking
about the boat, watched their opportunity and simultaneously t^rew
themselves overboard and were drowned, the irons upon them facili-
tating to make an effectual taking off in this way. Of the five impli-
cated only Crofts now remained alive. He remained in jail, having
been indicted by the grand jury August 23, 1849, and the case con-
tinued to the next term. His wife visited him occasionally, and a few
days before the term time and shortly after one of these visits the
jailor, calling at the cell, found Crofts with his throat cut and life ex-
tinct; a razor lay by with which the deed was done. The next day a
coroner's inquest was held, which resulted in the following verdict :
' Upon the view of the body of Charles Crofts, now lying dead in the
jail of Lee county, at Dixon, Illinois, we, the jury of inquest duly im-
paneled and sworn diligently to inquire, and a true presentment make,
how, in what manner and by whom or what the body of the said
Charles Crofts, which here lies dead, came to its death, do find that
the said Charles Crofts came to his death by cutting his own throat
with a razor on the afternoon of the 22d November, a.d. 1849, while
confined in the jail of Lee county.' (Signed) 'William W. Heaton,
foreman ; Charles Dement, E. W. Hines, J. B. Brooks, James Benja-
min, A. M. Pratt, P. B. Loveland, James Campbell, Horace Preston,
E. B. Blackman, Gilbert Messer, Elias B, Stiles. Dixon, Lee county,
Illinois, November 23, 1849.' The theory generally held in relation
to this matter, which caused the murder of the girl Selina, is as fol-
lows : Crofts' premises was considered a rendezvous of the banditti of
those times. Crofts owned the turnpike across the Winnebago swamps
.and kept the toll-gate at the south end, it being near the center of
Sec. 3, of East Grove. Several individuals had been known to pass
over the turnpike from the north and. were not heard from afterward,
especially a peddler who had formerly frequented these parts, and it is
supposed this hired girl knew so much of the workings of this ban-
ditti that they concluded it was not safe for her to live, and as ' dead
men tell no tales,' they murdered her. Crofts planned the mode of
proceeding, Perkins was guilty of the overt act, and the other three
helped to secrete the body, so all were, as principals or accessories^
participants in the matter."

640 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

WYOMING TOWNSHIP.

Wyoming, the southeastern township of Lee county, is the con-
gressional T. 37 N., E. 2 E. of the 3d P.M., and is bounded north by
Willow creek, on the east by Paw Paw in De Kalb county, south by
Earlville in La Salle county, and west by Brookljai. In the days of pre-
cincts it formed the south third of Paw Paw precinct, and when set off
and organized as a township in 1850 was named Paw Paw township,
and since the beautiful grove, hereafter described, that gave this name
stands almost wholly in this township, and the post-office is named Paw
Paw Grove, it would seem that this name should have been retained.
But as the township next east chose the same name, it became neces-
sary that one of the contending parties renounce its favorite name. It
is reported, but by no means verified, that when contention began to
wax hot the question was left to be decided by lot, and that the lot
fell on our time-honored Paw Paw of Lee county. And it ma}^ be
thought by some that this ill turn of luck is what has tended to give
to the citizens of Wyoming their proverbial love for w^hatever is straight
and honest and of good report, as opposed to games and " options " of
luck and chance. Be that as it may, it cannot be doubted that the
citizens of township 37 did then, and do to-day, fervently love their pio-
neer name. On the plat of their chief village we read : " Town of Paw
Paw Grove." Two other villages on the township lines are designated
South Paw Paw and East Paw Paw, and naturally the term West Paw
Paw is much used, while the abrupt business man everywhere seems par-
tial to the short old name, and the railroad authorities, in deference to
a prevailing sentiment, so named the station. " But what's in a name,"
gays the poet, and so said the people. No ill-will seems to have been
engendered. The change was ordered here, so at the suggestion of
James Goble, and in deference to the wishes of the many w^ho came
from the beautiful valley of Wyoming, the present name w^as adopted
by the county commissioner's court, Isaac Harding, Warren Badger
and Lorenzo Wood comprising said court, and on May 14, 1851, the
board of supervisors ordered that "the township formerly called Paw
Paw shall hereafter be called Wyoming."

The first settlers located around Paw Paw Grove. This is still
a charming piece of forest. It is some three miles long, and from one
to two miles wide. It lies east of the railroad station and about three-
fourths of it in Wyoming. From its northeast corner Paw Paw creek
runs through it in a southeasterly direction, and after making a junc-
tion with Indian creek empties into the Illinois river. A small tree or
shrub, unknown to many people in other parts of the United States,
east and north, grows freely in this grove and bears a sweet, edible
fruit, somewhat like the banana in flavor, but often larger in size.

WYOMING TOWlSrSHIP. 641

This is the papaw. It was a favorite with the Indians, and gives its
name (somewhat changed in spelling) to a considerable number of
places. When the white settlers first came " the timber," as they
called this tract, contained about two thousand acres. Unlike other
groves, it was free from underbrush. The sugar maple was very
abundant. There were many large black walnut trees, four kinds of
oak, the hickory, and cottonwood, with a few butternuts and syca-
mores. " From one of the maples that grew here," says a well known
physician, " in 1855, I sold considerable lumber and had left enough
wood to supply all the fires of my family for a year." Plums, black-
berries and gooseberries were also plentiful here. On the east side,
near the county line, was an excellent spring, where the water bubbled
up from the bottom, pure, sparkling and abundant, and never freezing
in winter. At the northwest corner was another, in all respects equal
to the former, and with a volume that seemed inexhaustible. It was
the great and constant feeder to Paw Paw creek. These springs were
treasures in those early days when water fit to drink was rarely seen
by travelers in the west. James Goble, who came in 1837, says he has
frequently seen an acre of wagons camped around the latter spring,where
now stands the Oak Grove creamery, supplied by this same spring.
The prairie grass of this region was remarkable in quantity, and equal
to grain in quality, while in the lowlands a rider on horseback could
tie the tall, rank slough-grass together above his head. Yet it was very
healthy and free from ague. When Rev. Caleb Morris was seeking the
most healthful location he learned from the Indians that this was their
favorite resort for raising their papooses. Here then were great
attractions for emigrants, but the tenure of the land was uncertain,
for it was generally believed that this grove was included in Indian
reservations ; and the old chief Wabonsie and his tribe still had their
home within its limits when the whites began to reside here. As is
well known, the Black Hawk war did not close till 1832. It had
raged from Dixon southward, as well as elsewhere, and included this
region. For at Indian creek, not far away, there had been a horrible
massacre, and Wabonsie and his neighbor Shabbona had taken part
in the campaign, though these noble red-men fought on the side of the
whites. For a year later there were disturbances from disaifected
Indians ; hence it was not until midwinter of 1833-4 that any white
men came here and stayed even a short period, so as to make claims upon
the land. It was nearly fifty years ago, yet quite a number of the
early settlers are still living. Reminiscences of frontier life and adven-
ture and the strange contrasts of the old times with the present,
which they describe, have oftentimes a fascinating interest. At one
period there were desperate men here, horse thieves, counterfeiters and

642 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

gamblers, who gave their locality a hard name for a long time, down
to as late as 1860 ; but it is matter of grateful record that those w^ho
gave direction to affairs, the men who have made Wyoming what it is
to-day, were strong, brave, fearless and shrewd. These old people will
soon be gone. By their hearty cooperation in the effort of the histo-
rian they have done a service which all readers will appreciate. Dates
and details are usually dry and tedious ; but the records of the first
things that relate to our own hearthstones are specially valuable in
local annals.

It seems clear that Levi Kelsey was the first to emigrate here. He
is now deceased. But in the later years of his life he resided at Men-
dota, where he was president of the bank. Hon. O. W. Bryant, who
knew him well, speaks in high terms of his kindness, integrity and
capacity for business. His widow^, Mrs. E. S. Kelsey, writes from Men-
dota, August 2, 1881, substantially as follows : Mr. Kelsey had traveled
over most of this state, and was well acquainted with its history. He
was favored with a remarkable memory for dates, places, persons, etc.
He was the first person, with one Joel Griggs, to make a claim and
build a house at Paw Paw Grove, in the winter of 1833-4. But be-
lieving he was on the Indian reservation, and not being able to ascer-
tain the correct boundaries, he abandoned tlie claim, and came to Troy
Grove, I think, in March. I came out west in September 1834, and
remember Mr. David A. Town coming to our house to inquire about
the claim at Paw^ Paw and the chance of being disturbed. Nothing
was said about buying the claim, for I do not believe that Mr. Kelsey
ever thought that he had a right to anything at Paw Paw. I was pres-
ent and heard their conversations. It was in December or January
that my husband went to Paw Paw Grove. Often heard him tell
about it, and of having Indians for neighbors, and of fun with the lat-
ter on occasion of cutting a bee-tree. The Indians induced Griggs to
cut several trees for them, but not finding the right one he became
tired of it; then they tried my husband, who refused to cut any. They
then set their squaws to chopping, who, after several failures, succeeded
in finding plenty of honey. Mr. Kelsey was largely rewarded for his
bravery in refusing to work for them, and pronounced " good shemoka
man "; while Mr. Griggs was "shemoka squaw ishnoba," no good.

There was a prevailing belief shared by prominent citizens, among
whom may be named A. J. Harrington, Esq., and ex-Sheriff James
Goble, that Mr. Kelsey settled here before the Black Hawk war. The
circumstantial evidence on their side seemed almost conclusive, in the
absence of positive proof to the contrary. But Mrs. Kelsey fortifies her
statement by a subsequent letter, and does it so well that doubtless the
gentlemen named, will gracefully allow the lady to hold her posi-

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 643

tion. She writes October Y, 1881 : " I have looked over ray husband's
memorandum book, and also his account of partnership with Joel
Griggs, and find that the date of their going to Paw Paw Grove was
January 20, 1834. I have often heard Mr. Kelsey say that he was the
first settler there. As to his being there in 1829, that is all bosh ; for
he came west in the fall of 1828, peddling clocks, under a twenty
months' engagement. His route was in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louis-
iana, and other southern states. I have an account of his being sick at
Alexandria, and a man dying in the bed beside him. Thence he went
to St. Louis, where he was unwell all winter; then he was at Palmyra,
Illinois, for a time, studying with a physician ; was again in St. Louis,
in ill-health, at the breaking out of the cholera in 1832 ; then engaged
in peddling dry goods and Yankee notions in Illinois, for a St. Louis
firm, and continued so to do till he went to Paw Paw in 1834. Mr.
Kelsey was not in northern Illinois until about the time of the break-
ing out of the war. He would not have gone so far up as the rapids
of the Illinois river, because the country was not settled enough to in-
duce any one to peddle in it."

Tracey Reeve, president of the Citizens' National Bank of Prince-
ton, Illinois, writes July 27, 1881, as follows : " I went to Paw Paw
Grove in May, 1834, with three other men, to locate claims; but
concluded, from the best information we could get, that the grove was
reserved for Indians. We saw no person there, white or Indian. We
camped there over night in some Indian huts. It was very cold for
the time of year, and a terrible storm raged there during the night. I
had quite an adventure in getting from there to Troy Grove, the nearest
settlement, but suppose you will not care to hear about that." An old
neighbor of Mr. Reeve, who had boated down the Mississippi with
him in early days, and who now resides in Wyoming, tells what that
adventure was. After leaving Paw Paw Grove Mr. Reeve came to
a creek, where the water was so high it overflowed some distance
beyond the banks. In attempting to cross his wagon was upset, and
himself thrown headforemost over the dasher. Next morning, vi^hen
about to pay his tavern bill at Troy Grove, he missed his silver money,
about eight dollars. He retraced his course to the scene of the mishap,
found the money, and was about to start again, when he was confronted
by some thirty Indians. They acted as if they would make trouble,
but with his slow team he could not avoid them ; being a man, how-
ever, of great presence of mind, and knowing a few of their words,
he drove boldly up to them, said "Good morning" in Indian lan-
guage, and passed on without hindrance. A moment after there broke
forth from them the loudest laugh he ever heard. They had anticipated
some amusement at his expense. These statements settle some ques-

644 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

tions which have arisen as to priority of residence. And while due
credit is awarded to those who were on the ground before him, the
higher praise must be given to David A. Town, as the first white set-
tler around this grove who stuck w here he located claims. He was
a native of Vermont, emigrated to Marion county, Ohio, and thence
to Paw Paw Grove in the fall of 1834. He is described, by one of his
neighbors who kept tavern in Dixon, as a man of determined will, a
leader in local affairs, capable and square in business. " I have
known him to refuse to sell seed grain for a high price, saying: 'you
can buy it elsewhere ; but I have poor neighbors who cannot get
money to buy. I shall giv^e the seed to them.' " His nephew, Hosea
P. Town, gives below very interesting reminiscences in this connec-
tion : " Uncle David A. Town was the first white man who settled at
Paw Paw Grove. He built his first house on the southeast side of the
grove, just west of the farm now owned by Pierpont Edwards. It was
a log house, 16 x 18 feet, with a door in the east side, one six-lighted
window in the west side, and a big fireplace and chimney in the north
end. This chimney was built outside of the house, so as to give more
room inside. It was made of sticks split out with the fro, and laid
cob-fashion, and then plastered inside and out with mud made from
common clay. The floor of the house was made from boards that were
split from logs cut the length we wanted, and then hewed with a
broad-axe. The roof M'as made of shakes split out with the fro about
three feet long, and four or five inches wide, and then laid double onto
poles placed lengthwise of the house to hold them up, and then another
pole laid on to hold them down, and then another layer of shakes with
the butts to this pole, and then another pole to hold them down, and
so on till the roof was completed." O. P. Johnson, now of Brooklyn,
who rived the shingles, says this house was built by himself and three
others in a day and a half, in ^November 1834. Hosea P. Town con-
tinues : " David A. Town made a claim here, and broke and fenced
twenty acres, and in the fall sowed ten of it with winter wheat. He
then bought half of the ' Ogee section,' owned by Mrs. Job Alcott, a
half-breed French and Indian woman, for $1,000 in silver. He then
left here and went to the north end of the grove, and built his second
house, which John Patrick now owns. "When my father got here, in
December 1835, he took the first house and south half of that claim."
Those who knew this brave pioneer most intimately say of him :
"David A. Town was a square man, a true friend, but a bad enem3\"
Says one: "I have known men to go to him with the money to buy
seed grain, and offer a high price, yet he would refuse to sell it, saying,
' You are able to buy elsewhere ; I have needy neighbors to whom I
must give this.' "

WYOMIIS^G TOWNSHIP. 645

The following picturesque description of the man is by Andrew
Breese : " David A. Town was a remarkable man, known all over this
country. Smart, energetic, jolly,drank a little when away from home,but
not so much as not to know what he was about ; square man ; wanted
to rule; wanted others to come to him for advice; very resolute,
large size, strong, rough man, cock of the walk ; as long as he lived
was for Paw Paw."

There came with David A. Town, in 1834, his wife and four chil-
dren. The latter were named George, Martha, David A., jr., and
Sarah. The father was wont to say of his good wife : " "With all my
faults, Betsey never gave me a cross word." Going with Aunt Roxy
horseback, both on one horse, to make a visit, the former lady pru-
dently carried her shoes in her hand, not wearing any, but meaning ta
put them on just before the end of the journey. Being thrown off
into a slough, holding up her new shoes she congratulated herself:
" There, I have saved my shoes." With such an example, economy
became a cardinal virtue in the community. Mrs. Town was loved
and respected by all who knew her.

A stranger having inquired of David A. Town one day when meet-
ing him for the direction to a certain place, and then taking an oppo-
site course, Town's suspicions were aroused. Pursuing the stranger
on horseback, he overtook him, drew out of him the confession that he
was a counterfeiter, discovered and captured his dies, and the man was
sent to the penitentiary. What Deacon Hal lock said afterward of the
daring and quick wit of two of the leading citizens was true also of
other good men here. " Town and Bryant were a terror to horse
thieves and counterfeiters." The former was an early justice of the
peace, and his appointees, like himself, were incarnations of the terror
of the law. Later, when the township was organized, he was its lirst
supervisor, serving two terms. He died in 1861. He and his wife
were buried in the graveyard half a mile south of Paw Paw. Only
two of his children are now living, David A., jr., a broker at Earlville^
and Sarah, now Mrs. Terry, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The settlement begun by Town was largely augmented the same
fall by the arrival of the Harrises, Butterjfield, Ploss, and Wilcox. All
these belonged to the same general family who emigrated from Michi-
gan in one company, and of whom the Rev. Benoni Harris, then past
three score and ten, was the venerable head. This family, a little col-
ony in numbers, consisted of eight grown-up children, besides Father
Harris and his equally aged wife. The children were Benjamin and
Benoni, Stephen and Joseph, Polly, Thankful, Amanda and Delilah.
Six were married. Polly was the wife of Edward Butterfield, and
these had a son, Solomon. The next two were married to John Ploss

646 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

and John Wilcox. Next year Delilah was married, of which event
more farther on.

Butterfield, while serving in the Black Hawk war, had seen this
locality, and being delighted with its attractive features, resolved to
make it his future home. Returning after the Indians had been van-
quished, he had no difliculty in persuading his relations to emigrate.
Benoni Harris, sr., was a Methodist preacher. Both himself and wife
are buried in Ralph Atherton's garden, at the southeast corner of Paw
Paw Grove. Hers was the first death at the grove. The dwelling
occupied the first winter by these immigrants was a double log cabin
erected on their arrival. Somewhat later a frame house, the first in
all this region, was built by Harris. It may yet be seen, a few rods
west of the original site, on James Ketcham's land. Having been
sawed asunder, a part of it is used for a dwelling, and the rest for a
corn-bin.

In the spring of 1835 Butterfield came up to the west end of the
grove, made a claim on the S.E. J of Sec. 10, and built a cabin near
where Hendrick Roberts is living, in the outskirts of Paw Paw, but
on the south side of the Chicago road. This embraced substantially
tliat part of Paw Paw l3nng east of Flagg and North streets. One
season was all he spent here before returning to the east end of the
grove. This dwelling was an historical one, as the following facts
show : It was the first house ; it was on the first claim ; it was the
home of the first couple married in the township; it was the first store,
and the first house to be burned.

It is a generally accepted tradition that David A. Town was the
original permanent settler of Wyoming township. This belief shows
how easily error becomes perpetuated. His claim to priority is limited
to Paw Paw Grove, at the east end of which he settled, as already
described. He spent the summer of 1835 at that point, where he
fenced twenty acres, and that year sowed the land to fall wheat. Early
the same year he claimed the S.W. ^ of Sec. 11 in this township, and
removed to it with his family, we feel safe in saying, not before the
early autumn. While yet living on the first claim an attempt was
made to jump the second, and a cabin was started ; but Mr. Town,
with his characteristic resolution, expelled the interloper by driving
his team oft" the claim when he was at work. Butterfield sold his
claim, on which was the "Big Spring," now covered by Wheeler's
creamery, and which was then an object of value, for about $20, either
to David or George Town, probably to the former, for whom the latter
occupied it on his marriage and held it. The cabin was south of the
road. In 1837 George Town built a hewed log house north of the
road, but farther west, near Grummond's corner, and, changing his

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 647

location, lived there till 1856, when he moved to Kansas, where he
died in January 1870, leaving his family in good circumstances. His
widow is yet living.

About the time that Butterfield was making the first beginning in
the township, on the present site of Paw Paw village, John Ploss
made a small improvement on the south side of the grove, and in like
manner led the way to the settlement of south Paw Paw. He built
his house in the woods, on the bank of the creek, some forty rods north
of Deacon Hallock's, and fenced five acres of ground, but remained not
later than fall, when he went back to Michigan. Eber St. John bought
the claim. This man had some property, was inoffensive, and too
forceless to keep the best company. In a little while he moved to
Shabbona, where he mysteriously disappeared, and it was supposed that
he had been murdered for his money. His claim embraced the larger
part of South Paw Paw, and was purchased by Deacon Orlando Board-
man.

Isaac or Asahel Balding was one of the first settlers in the town-
ship, having arrived as early as 1835, and located on the Dixon and
Chicago road, midway between the two Paw Paws, where he kept the
first stage-house and tavern. Deacon Hallock's definition of the early
tavern, that " it was a place whei^e blacklegs congregated," has a veri-
table illustration in the history of this one, as related by Hosea Town :
*' Balding sold out to William Rogers, he to Dick Allen, he to John
Simms, who mortgaged the place for $-100, to get his son John out of
jail in Chicago for passing bogus money, and never redeemed it. All
these, except Balding, were regular bandits. The stage stopped at this
house as long as it ran by Paw Paw.'- Simms had the stand in 1840,
and it was the only tavern then at the grove; bat travelers, as was the
custom, put up anywhere. Stages were put on this route, between
Galena and the village of Chicago, in 1834.

Gillett came in 1835, and died the same season of cholera in Chi-
cago. In December of this year came Russell Town, before alluded
to, who resided on the old place, at the east end of the grove, eleven
years, then removed to the William Strader place, two miles west of
Paw Paw. He died in this township December 31, 1867. His widow,
still living in Paw Paw, is the sole surviving representative of those
having families and settling at the grove prior to 1837. They brought
five children : Hosea, Harriet, David, Zerah, and Elizabeth, and four
were subsequently born: Caroline, the first at the grove, April 21,
1836; Oscar, Ellen, and Eliza. Hosea, David, Caroline and Eliza
have always been residents of Wyoming, and to the two former we
owe acknowledgment for reliable pioneer information.

One Algar, settled at Four-Mile Grove, in this township, in 1835

648 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

or 1836. He died not many years after, and his grave, the first at this
grove, is in the highway in front of George Yenerick's, where a tall
cherry stump stands sentry over the hallowed spot.

In 1836 Job Alcott arrived and built a cabin equi-distant between
the two Paw Paws; this and the Butterfield or George Town cabin,
were the only ones on the south side of the Chicago road for many
years. Alcott's was succeeded by the "Hollow House," noted for its
dancing-hall and bar. About 1848 S. P. Rogers opened a country
store in this building. Originally from Ohio, he had married, in Illi-
nois, the Pottawatomie Indian woman Madaline, former wife of Joseph
Ogee, a half-breed. She owned the Ogee reservation, wliich contained
640 acres, and was secured to her by the treaty of Prairie du Chien,
July 29, 1829. About the first conveyances in this county pertained
to this tract. David A. Town purchased the west half, as before stated,
for $1,000. He got 170 rods in width for 160 (best half of bargain).
Later, William Rogers bought the remainder.

The first plat of this section was made by Willard Hastings. It
was never recorded, and by reason of this omission the land could not
be sold for taxes, the collection of which was for a long time precarious
and troublesome. After tedious but patient examination, William
McMahan, county surveyor, discovered the witness trees, marked "O
G," and in 1880 ran out the boundaries, platted the land, and recorded
the plat. The Le Clair reservation, granted to Pierre Le Clair by the
same treaty of Prairie du Chien, was surveyed in 1843 hy Wheeler
Hedges, and by him the survey was also legally recorded. The north
and south road opposite the old Morgan house divided the two reser-
vations, which comprised the greater part of Paw Paw Grove. Charles
Pierce says Samuel J. Best and Augustus Wiley bought the Le Clair
reservation of 640 acres for $2.25 per acre. Wareham or Wiram Gates,
everywhere known as " Bogus" Gates, purchased part of the land from
Wiley.

Charles Morgan and wife and seven children probably came in
1836, from Virginia, and the next year he was keeping tavern half a
mile east of David A. Town's house. William Rogers, already men-
tioned, came in 1836. He was the first postmaster, having his office
near Morgan's tavern. The next post-office was fifteen miles east of
him. He was a man of versatile genius ; had charge of the removal of
the Indians from here to Council Bluffs in 1837; was an officer in the
Mexican war, and afterward sheriff of Sacramento, California.

Henry and Medad Comstock, brothers, and blacksmiths, arrived in
1836. Both were drowned while hunting ducks in Iowa, in 1839 or
1840.

The first weddings were in 1836. On July 4, this year, Samuel

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 649

McDowell, who now came to the southeast side of the grove and made
his home there for a number of years, was married to DeliLah Harris.
This was the first marriage in this part of the country. Among the
invited guests were Shabbona and two other Indians, who expressed
great delight at the honor thus shown them. " After the wedding
the men went into the grove, cut a liberty pole, brought it out on
their shoulders, fastened the flag of our country to it, and raised it ;
when the stars and stripes floated to the breeze there went up such a
shout as never before went up at Paw Paw Grove."* The next wed-
ding was that of George Town and Fidelia Sawyer, December 13,
1836. This was the first in what is now Wyoming. A week later,
December 20, remembered as the remarkably cold day, Levi Carter was
married to the widow Gillett. Rev. Benoni Harris officiated on these
three occasions.

Jacob D. Rogers came in 1837 from Pennsylvania. His claim of 320
acres, mostly, if not wholly, in Sec. 10, was next west of George Town's
claim, and therefore included the west part of the site of Paw Paw. He
was the first to settle out in the prairie, west of the grove, and was ridi-
culed for it. Yet he was a remarkable man. He was very devout, and
heartily respected by all. He became a member of the Anti-Outlaws'
Society, which seems to have been a vigilance committee that sought
to bring big rascals to justice, and possibly one or two to a sudden end.
He was a man of uncommon strength, an exhibition of which was liable
to occur whenever his disgust (not wrath) was excited. At one time,
when everything was brought by teams from Chicago, he was at that
place, and among other things purchased a Jyarrel of salt. He asked the
man with whom he dealt to assist him to load it. The merchant made
some trivial excuse for not doing so, whereupon " Uncle Jake," with the
remark, " Go and soak your head," seized the barrel of salt and put it
over the rear end gate of an old Pennsylvania wagon. At another time
his wagon was standing near the fence across the road from his barn,
wherein were five three-bushel sacks of oats, which he asked the two
hired men to carry to the wagon while the boy hitched up the team.
The men thought the wagon could be driven to the barn. This dis-
gusted him at once, as he thought it smacked of laziness. He threw
one sack on one shoulder, another on the other shoulder, then caused
the men to put two more across them and the fifth still across those two,
making a weight of four hundred and eighty pounds, then addressing
the men said, " If either one of you men is too lazy to walk across the
road I will carry him on top, if the other has ambition enough to put
him there." He then carried the oats to tlie wagon. A stranger to
fear, an inveterate talker, with the profoundest feelings of contempt and

* Hosea Town.

650 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

disgust for his enemies, either real or imaginarj, his tongue was not
infrequently a source of great annoyance to those with whom he became
displeased. On the other hand, whoever succeeded in arousing his
sympathies had a regiment at command. He would hazard anything
in assistance. He was a conductor and his house a station on the
"underground railroad," Disliking drunken school-masters he built a
school-house, hired a teacher, and joined to secure a good school, which
speedily took the pupils from the other. His log house, which was
built in 1837, stood where Mr. Ritchie's now is, on Sec. 10. His
neighbors urged him to open a temperance tavern, but he declined.
He, however, offered to furnish lodging and food to travelers and their
horses for fifty cents a night, because the taverns were then charging
two dollars and a lialf for it. They were compelled to come down to
his prices, and'kept to them for years, and he then turned over to them
the patronage that came to him.

James Goble, afterward sheriff, came with Rogers. Their wives
were sisters. He says : " I have known Mrs. Rogers when a fire
broke out to seize a kettle of water, mount a horse, dash away and put
out the flames." William Jenkins and family came in 1837. He
says " Paw Paw was a strange place then. It seemed to me that every
other man I met was hunting a horse-thief, and you couldn't tell which
was the thief — 'twas usually both." It was at this time that John
Sims appeared, and kept tavern, west of David A. Town's. Sims had
been a circus proprietor. It is said that when drunk he would some-
times kick over the tables loaded with food for guests at his tavern.
Counterfeit money was found afterward by the purchaser of the house
where he had lived.

The Butterfield or George Town cabin now passed into the hands
of Wheeler Hedges, who arrived about this time, Willard Hastings
was afterward in partnership with him, and the two kept tavern,
stage-house, and store. The latter was final owner of the stand, which
was burned down early in May 184:1. He made a claim of the James
Fonda land and erected a cabin ; and he also built twice on the Rob-
erts property in Paw Paw, first in 1841. The second was a frame
house. A good business man, whose chief aim was to make money.
He was killed on the railroad at Earlville and buried at Paw Paw a
few years since.

This year a thousand Indians were encamped for a week at the Big
Spring at the northwest corner of the grove (now near Mr, Wheeler's),
They had come from Indiana in their removal west, and this was the
rendezvous where they were paid off by the government. After re-
ceiving their pay they went to Shabbona Grove and were met by a cir-
cus, which got away as much of their money as it could. The Indians

WrOMING TOWNSHIP. 651

that lived in these parts had ah-eady been removed this year to their
new hunting-grounds in the west. Their burial-ground here was near
the southeast corner of Paw Paw Grove, occupying less than an acre of
open ground. "There were," says William Jenkins, "some twenty of
the dead reposing in a peculiar way. Each body was placed between
two halves of a hollow log, which were supported above the ground
upon posts. Other bodies were buried in the ground. The old chief
Shabbona returned to this vicinity afterward to live, and died 1859.
Durinof the Black Hawk war he learned that the hostile savages were
marching for the white settlements, intending to surprise and massacre
all. At the peril of his life, alone, he sped his pony over the coun-
try, warning every family as he hurried past. Most of them believed
him and escaped. Those, or many of them, who delayed or sought to
defend themselves where they were, perished. Ever after, this old
chief, 'always courteous, a true gentleman,' was gratefully welcomed
in Wyoming and wherever else known. He was distinguished, not
for his eloquence, but for his influence among the tribes and his friend-
ship for the whites. Both races ' had confidence in his truthfulness
and good judgment.' When he visited Washington Gen. Cass intro-
duced him to the crowd which had gathered to meet him, as ' the
greatest Indian of the west and a true friend of the whites.'

Waubonsie, chief of the tribe at Paw Paw Grove, was ever on the
most friendly relations with Shabbona, and the latter and his tribe were
frequent visitors to this place. These two chiefs counseled together
like brothers. Waubonsie is described as having less force and influ-
ence than Shabbona, whose advice he respected and followed. Tlie
trail from Chicago to the large Indian town at Rock Island, still to be
seen at some points, ran past Shabbona Grove and along the south side
of Paw Paw Grove.

In 1838 Pev. Caleb Morris had arrived. It is said that his wife
owned slaves at time of marriage, but he induced her to free them.
With him came his daughter, the widow Nancy Robinson, and her
children, one daughter and six sons. One of the latter, William, was
afterward postmaster. These all located south of the grove. One
Mead came this year. This cabin was the third on the south side of
the Chicago road, near the county line, on a claim purchased from
Benjamin Harris. To Four-Mile Grove came the second settler, Dun-
bar, who died soon after. Deacon Orlando Boardman came in 1840,
from Pennsylvania, and settled 'on a claim purchased from Eber St.
John. "It was through his instrumentality chiefly," says Deacon
Hallock, " that the first Baptist church was built at South Paw Paw.
He had some means, was very benevolent, and made traveling
preachers of every persuasion welcome. He formed an active factor

652 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

in the niKlorground railroad, as did many others round here, but
some were on the opposite side. Charles Morgan told Deacon Board-
man, "whether I am abolitionist or not, my hest snares are.'''' Morgan
had a line span. Deacon Hallock, who also arrived this year, further
informs us that there were then eighteen families encircling Paw Paw
Grove, thirteen of whom were in this township. Of this number, be-
sides those already named, there were White and French Pete. The
same season Bailey Breese came and bought a claim of 160 acres from
William Pogers, including nearly all that on which East Paw Paw is
situated. Mr. Breese's iamily came in May 1841. Among his chil-
dren were Andrew, now a merchant at Earlville; Phebe, now wife of
Dr. Vosbury of the same place, and Yincent, who lives at East Paw
Paw. Mr. Breese was a speculator in real estate in the east, a man of
fine education, public spirited, and very influential in shaping afli'airs at
the grove. Pete May and family came in 1841. He bought from
George Town nearly all the land on which the village of Paw Paw
now stands, but never received a deed. He disappeared mysteriously
About 1851, under such circumstances as to authorize the belief that be
was foully dealt with. In 1879, while removing an old fence on his
former place, some persons found a human body buried beneath it, sup-
posed to be that of May. He was probably the victim of a drunken
quarrel. Hon. O. W. Bryant in 1842 settled at Four-Mile Grove.
Elder Norman Warriner came in 1843, and for twenty years was pas-
tor of a Baptist church. The township and range lines were surveyed
in 1838, but the sections were not run out until the winter of 1842-3.
As soon as the last surve}^ was finished preemptions were promptly
made under the original act of 1841. Hitherto people had held title
only by right of occupancy. A mutual protection society had existed
to prevent claim-jumping, and Samuel McDowell was captain. An
instance is given by Charles Pierce illustrating their treatment of of-
fenders. A settler had given a home and employment to a lad till he
could go out for himself and earn good wages ; but he made an un-
grateful return by jumping one of the two forties which were his
friend's all. Promptly the society met, and the ingrate defiant
mounted a barrel to explain. He mistook his audience. One kick
from the captain sent the barrel over, and others as quickly produced
a rope which indicated its use. He begged mercy and left. This asso-
ciation enforced its laws by effective methods. Claim-jumpers recog-
nized no law but that of force, and it was applied to them in a manner
which, if it did not cure their wickedness, satisfied justice and restored
rights. Moral suasion was first employed, but if the intruder was ob-
durate some convincing proof of the power and settled intent of the
community was given. Ducking was discovered to be useful from a

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 655

temporal standpoint. Tying to a tree blindfolded and administering
a Hogging by others also blindfolded, saved afterclaps in courts of law
and had a practical effect on the man at the tree. But such extreme
resorts were rare.

Later emigrants of prominence may be mentioned in biographical
sketches in tlie following pages. Having named so many of the pio-
neers, it will relieve the narrative and illustrate the times to present
here a few

INCIDENTS.

Taverns were rather plenty on the Chicago and Dixon road, near
Paw Paw Grove, but one of them could not accommodate many guests.
Jacob Wirick kept tavern in this vicinity in early times. An old
codger stopped here two days, and in making up his bed the women
folks noticed a buckskin sack or purse filled with money, which, of
course, was not disturbed, but taken from there by the guest on leav-
ing. He was afterward committed to prison for horse-stealing. Being
sick, he sent for his wife, and told her he had buried a sack of gold
near Paw Paw Grove, beside a fence, and marked the spot by a notched
stake. His wife searched but did not find it. The facts somehow
getting out caused the women at the hotel to recall what they saw, and
to look for the hidden treasure, but in vain. By accident, afterward,
Harris Breese noticed a notched stake near a fence and broke it ofii";
meeting Mr. Hampton, a neighbor, he said : " I have found where that
money was buried, go and help me dig it up"; but he did not believe
there was any there. The two went to the spot, and, still incredulous,
put in their spades and at once turned up about $900 in gold doub-
loons. It was equally divided, and it is said that Hampton invested
his so opportunely in the purchase of land, then especially cheap, that
it was the means of making him wealthy.

In one part of the grove lived a man who was so favored by cir-
cumstances and situation that his neighbors said if he had only been
honest he would have been rich. He did own much land, and had
great chances for trade. But his peculiar dealing had caused him to be
nicknamed " Bogus." He aftirmed afterward that he had never made
or passed counterfeit money, but some of the "stuff" was found near
his residence. In his vicinity there was played the " box " game. Sup-
posing money could be bought at a liberal discount, an applicant would
come for it; a sample box of the "stuff," which was simply good coin
in layers of sand, would be shown, with the remark that the negotia-
tion could be arranged and price paid, but delivery of the base coin
would only be made by its being at the foot of a certain tree at ten
o'clock at night ; but when the buyer came to the rendezvous in the
39

656 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

darkness, confederates of the other party would cry out: " Here he is;
now we'll fix him !" and discharges of firearms and other alarms would
cause the one who came to flee in terror, without getting what he bar-
gained for. It was unfortunate for the good name of "Bogus" that
two horse-thieves, with pi-opertj in possession, had taken shelter on his
premises wiien caught.

In the early days 'Squire David A. Town sent a prisoner to Syca-
more in the custody of Charles Morgan, Dick Allen, and William
Jenkins. One of these trio relates the incident. Recent rains ren-
dered traveling slow and tedious, and draughts on the whisky jug
frequent and heavy. Coming to an impassable slough they found it
necessary to encamp for the night; but to their dismay they found
the jug already emptied. A new supply could only be obtained by
making a circuitous trip around the slough. They felt they could not
pass the night without it, and as the guards were all unwilling to go,
they threatened the prisoner with severe treatment if he should fail to
come back, and sent him alone for the liquor. He returned before
morning, having traveled the tedious ten miles.

Mrs. Roxanna Town, now eighty-two years of age, says : " I have
carded the wool, spun, wove and made all kinds of cloth, linen, cotton
and wool. These old hands have done a great amount of hard work."
Oxen were often the onl}^ team, and "it was nothing unusual to go five
or six miles to church with an ox team, or to get up in the night, hitch
the oxen, and pull the stage out of a slough." For want of a wagon,
James Goble tells us that he placed an inverted table on a pair of
wheels, packed in his family, and treated them to a ride after a team
of oxen. Hosea Town, July 4, soon after he came, drove over to his
father's with a sled and pair of steers, giving his wife the pleasure of
riding in such a rig. David Smith boasts that his brother had a pair
of fast steers that were trotted to a blacksmith's, twenty miles away,
for a plow to be sharpened, and then trotted l)ack the same day. Of
the small returns received for labor a few instances may be given.
Says Hon. O. W. Bryant: "We hauled corn eighty miles to market
in early days, and then sold it for 14 cents a bushel; while for oats we
received 10 cents, and for wheat 40 cents a bushel. We could not
pay any hotel bills out of that money. Provision for man and team
was carried from home, and poor shelter gratefully accepted." Said
another farmer: " One year I raised 500 bushels of wheat, doing all
the work, except exchanging labor for a reaper, with the help of my
wife. She had been tenderly reared in a Massachusetts home, but went
into the field and bound the grain. When the crop was sold we had
left, clear of expenses, only $10 to pay for our toil." It was hard, in
such cases, to make the payments to the government when the land

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 657

came into market, but it was usually done ; and to the children was
thus secured this " goodly heritage."

Deer were formerly numerous here, though they have long since
disappeared. Prairie wolves are still found. A grand hunt was made
for the latter February 9, 1848. A circuit of about twenty-five miles
was enclosed by the sportsmen, but it is reported that only one wolf
was killed, and that by Chief Shabbona. Bat it is said there were
frequent occasions, for a j'car or two, a little earlier than this time,
when honest settlers turned out to hunt worse pests, with good success,
and that was when they pursued horse-thieves. Raids by the latter
caused good people to become minute-men for such emergencies.
In small parties, or even singly, they followed the stolen animal so
soon as the loss was known. The chase was exciting, sometimes
dangerous, whether long or short. The result depended on the courage,
promptness and sagacity of the banters. At Four-Mile Grove, a farmer,
rising early one morning, found a door had been broken through, and
a basket taken containing corn. Calling his son, he said: "It was a
horse-thief who did this, else he would have asked for what he knew
would have been given in welcome, and have waited to feed." The
two men instantly started in pursuit, before the track could be oblit-
erated, and overhauled the rogue at Princeton. He was held in con-
finement, though the only charge that coald be sustained was the
taking of the basket. Bat soon proofs came of his real occupation,
and showed that he w^as just what his captors had suspected.

The "August flood," familiar to all old settlers, began on August
19, 1851. Says John Buchanan : "It rained incessantly three days and
nights, and the sk}'' was in a perfect blaze; many thought the last day
at hand. We did not leave the shanty during the time. Families
could not get provisions. John Brittain's invitation to all was, 'Come
to my potato patch and help yourselves.' New-comers had to subsist
entirely on this article of food." The destruction to grain was im-
mense ; not half a dozen stacks but were a total loss. D. M. Harris
swam his horse three times in reaching Harding, where he found the
creek a quarter of a mile wide.

There are four public burial-places in the township. Willard Hast-
ings gave the ground for the first, which is situated near James Fonda's.
Near Lester Harding's is one; another, called the Baptist, where a
church of that denomination once stood, is situated at South Paw Paw,
and there is the Cottage Hill cemetery, owned by the Presbyterians.
Fully a tenth of the grave-stones in these encampments of the dead are
down, and a large percentage of those standing are in a crazy attitude.
If prostrate humanity is the better typified by fallen marble, then bad
M'orkmanship and careless neglect should for once have credit.

658 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

PATRIOTISM.

Wyoming freely gave its best blood to fight the battles of the
country in the war of the rebellion. Some of the citizens advanced
money to pay bounties, and to reimburse them. In 1865 the township
authorized a special tax of $5,566 to be levied for that purpose. Since
it was so generous, spontaneous, the people have every reason to be
proud of their lo3'alty.

COMPANY K, 75TH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.

The only full command recruited in this township during the re-
bellion was Co. K, 75th reg. 111. Yols.; but many of the members were
from neighboring townships. Dr. George Ryon began raising the com-
pany, but the enrollment was principally done by James H. Thompson
and Berkley G. Barratt in the months of July and August 1862. The
company went into camp at Dixon, where the regiment was organized,
and was mustered into the United States service September 2. Dr.
Ryon was the first captain, but being elected colonel of the 75th he
was succeeded by David M. Roberts. William H. Thompson was first
lieutenant and Isaac L. Hunt second. Following is the roll of enlisted
men :

Berkley G. Barratt, William Nettleton, Walter Y. Simons, John
A. Shoudy, Jonathan N. Hyde, James H. Thompson, Joshua O.Wills,
Merritt Miller, Orlando B. Jones, William M. Atherton, J. De Witt
Abrams, Oscar M. Town, Frederick P. Mason, Joseph W. Agler, John
E. Taylor, Ira W. Baker, George H. Baisley, George Beemer, Charles
Carmer, William A. Conant, John M. Ditts, Frederick Dormoy, Lewis
M. Fairchilds, Edward E. Hallenbeck, James C. Howlett, Joseph N.
Keen, Benjamin Kidney, James Miller, William Miller, J. William
Miller, Sidney B, Radley, John S. Ryon, Lucas B. Schujder, Orrin
Sisco, James E. Taylor, Jacob Turk, John W. linger, John Woodman,
Zora Atherton (killed in battle at Perryville), George A. Brittain
(ditto), Sidney Merriman (killed at Stone River), Francis Mills (killed
in battle), William D. Baisley, William G. Dean, George Dormoy,
Jacob D. Fuller, Benjamin S. Kipp, Joseph Miller, Silas Pringle,
Fletcher Yickery, Menzo Coffin, James Hall, Franklin Harkins, J.
Pondexter, Frank Atherton, John A. Hunt, Edward J. Rice, Stephen
A. Farr, Eben Backus, Lawson Bell, John L. Baisley, Charles Blakes-
ley, William H. Christie, Francis M. Case, Hiram E. Fuller, Orin J.
Finlay, Hiram Henry, Nathan Hallock, Moses Hannon, Chauncey
Miller, Simon K. McErn, Henry Merwine, Edward Prentice, Benja-
min Radley, Charles Sutton, Theodore Spencer, Jacob Smuck, John
Agler, John A. Barratt, Andrew E. Fuller, Samuel T. Foresman,
■ Charles H. Golding, Jacob Gruse, George W. Hall, Philip Hackett,

WYOMIlSrG TOWNSHIP. 659

Christopher C. Hodges, Charles H. Kelly, William Mclntyre, Harvey
A. Morris, Edgar A. Madison, Avery Merriraan, Daniel Reams, Ed-
ward A. Steele, Tiiomas P. Steele, Seymonr Warren.

In this list all from William D. Baisley to Fletcher Yickery,
inclusive, died in the service. From Frank Atherton to Jacob Smuck,
all were discharged. From John Agler to Seymour Warren, all were
transferred on the muster-out of the regiment, most of them being
recruits whose terms had not expired. The first reunion of these vet-
erans was held at South Paw Paw, September 27, 1881, and a perma-
nent organization was formed having for its objects the renewal of
acquaintances, by having an annual banquet and social gathering, and
the cherishing of fraternal respect by attending in a body the funeral
of any member. In a notice of this gathering the Paw Paw " Herald "
said : This gallant company of volunteers was mustered into the
service and left Paw Paw with eighty-six men, joining the 75th regi-
ment at Dixon. Their first engagement, in which they were placed
foremost in the ranks, was the dreadful battle of Perryville. Here
thirty-three of their number were killed, wounded and made prisoners.
This conflict annihilated fifty per cent of their number, and cut them
fearfully. Their last battle was at Nashville, after which only twenty-
seven of the brave eighty-six answered to roll-call and were honorably
discharged. They took active part in a great many of the leading
battles of the bloody rebellion, doing valiant honor in the cause. We
would like to give a full account of their long and wearisome " tramp "
through the wilderness, supporting the tattered flag which they yet
preserve in memory of the blood sacrificed and their dead comrades
whose graves are by the wayside, but space forbids.

TRAGEDIES.

On March 12, 1879, William E. Rosette, living at East Paw Paw,
being incited by jealous}^, made a murderous assault upon his wife. For
several years he cherished purely imaginary suspicions against her
fidelity, until this black distrust developed in his bosom a viper that
poisoned his whole life. He no doubt became a monomaniac ; his
conduct toward his wife was for a long time violent, and indicated his
disposition, as he had declared it to be his intention, to murder her.
They had ceased to share the same couch, and her fears had become so
marked that on retiring at night she never failed to bolt her door and
stand the axe at her bedside. At the time described he attacked her
with a potato-fork, striking her upon the head and inflicting bloody
wounds. Her screams brought the daughter, who interfered and pre-
vented further blows. His victim's sinking to the floor impressed him

660 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

with the belief that he had accomplished his work, and dashing out of
doors, across a field to a well, he ended his own life by drowning.

In 1863 the city marshal of Mendota, accompanied by Daniel
Mizenbangh, William Mizenbaugh, and another man, called upon
John Brittain in the night, and asked for assistance from him and his
two sons, John and William, to arrest two horse-thieves named Horton
and Raymond, who were making for Paw Paw in a buggy with three
stolen horses tied behind. The Brittains joined the pursuing party
with some reluctance, but having consented, and started upon the
track, they did good service from that moment in trying to bring the
rascals to justice. These passed Brittain's place driving rapidly, and
were followed by the officer and his posse, who passed them near
Ilosea Town's. The marshal, Mizenbaugh, and the senior Brittain
jumped from their carriage and faced the fugitives, and the oflicer
commanded them to halt. At that instant Ilorton drew a w^eapon
and shot at Brittain, the ball passing through his hat. Several shots
were exchanged in quick succession, and the firing continued until
Fonda's place was reached, when the outlaws passed and their route
was lost at the four corners. Surmising that they had gone in the di-
rection of Paw Paw, the road leading to the town was taken and the
team was overhauled at the bridge near the creamery, where it had run
astride a sapling. Horton was found in a dying condition. Raymond
had fled and has never more been seen in these parts. Horton was heard
to cry out at the begiiming of the encounter, and it is supposed that
it was at that time he received the fatal missile in his body. The elder
Brittain and his son William delivered themselves up to the law, re-
ceived an examination before 'Squire Connell, of Paw Paw, and were
discharged.

Some time after the homicide a woman named Hames, from Wis-
consin, appeared and claimed the horses. In the fall the father pre-
sented himself to the grand jury at Dixon, with complaint against
himself, but no bill was found. He was taken ill at the house of a
friend and died suddenly.

In the autumn of 1866 an aftray, attended with fatal result,
occurred on the Renssalaer Baker farm between William A. Conant
and his father, Elihu C. Conant, on one side, and William Barber
and his wife, principals, assisted by Christoplier Srygley and Roderick
Kavanaugh, on the other. Barber and his wife were from Canada,
and about the time of harvest had come into the neighborhood. E. C.
Conant had purchased the Barker farm the spring before, and sold the
south half to his son William, and rented him the other, on which the
buildings were located. Not long before the occurrence which we are
about to relate took place, the senior Conant rented the house to the

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 661

widow Kavanangh without the consent and against the remonstrance
of liis son, who had sole right to the premises. The father was a
quick-tempered, excitable man, and had fallen into a passion when
William mentioned the subject ; and to keep peace with him the lat-
ter made no further protest, except to the widow, who was too anxious
to occupy the premises to give heed to his objections when supported
by his father's pretentions. Barber wanted to rent the eighty to which
the buildings belonged, and the old man Conant promised the land to
him in case he should not sell it. Meanwhile Barber and his wife
obtained board" with Mrs. Kavanangh, and William Conant, as had
been some time contemplated, bought the premises. But Barber, who
was a self-willed, violent, desperate fellow, formed a resolution to
occupy and retain the farm, though he had not completed a bargain and
could not get lawful possession. It should be said that terms had
been agreed on, and E. C. Conant went to 'Squire O. W. Bryant to
have the lease drawn according to arrangement with Barber, but the
latter failed to meet him there, and then the farm was sold. Barber,
without a shadow of right, began fall plowing, and William Conant
having now bargained for the land, sought to foi-bid his continuing the
work; but Barber seemed to avoid him, and before much was done the
plowing was interrupted. Conant put two teams to work, and Barber
came to the field and ordered him to take them awa}^, which was not
heeded, and then the Conants went to Paw Paw and the conveyance
was executed. This was on the 13th of jSTovember. Next day old
man Conant served a notice on the widow to vacate, and the following
day his son gave a similar notice. Barber and his wife were not there,
and so on the morning of the 19th he called with the same paper, tak-
ing along his hired man, Gordon Sanford, for a witness. Barber was
away at work, but his wife was at the house, and she improved the
occasion to let tall upon Conant a shower of hot words with threats of
violence. By previous agreement he and his father were to go together
to the woods that day, and as the latter had not yet come along he
thought to use the time while waitng in removing collections from
around the stable to make ready for tearing it down. While thus em-
ploj^ed Mrs. Barber came and ordered him off, and after some angry
conversation made an effort to take the pitchfork from him ; but failing
in this pushed him several times, then stood in his way as often as he
changed places, and at last kicked him. Unable to accomplish any-
thing, she started off threatening to bring those who could drive him
away, and went directly for her husband. Convinced by report and
observation that he was a reckless, lawlessjnan, and believing that if
he came he would be armed and would attempt to frighten him from
the premises, Conant thought that if he himself were not found at a

662 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

disadvantage, but remained firm and collected, that the matter would
end by his holding his ground ; so he went across the road to his house
and got his revolver, one which he had carried in the army, still not
expecting that Barber would come. His two men, Gordon Sanford
and Frank Adams, were plowing not far from the stable, and he
directed them to leave their teams and join him, in case anybody
should come, to hear all that might be said, but not to take part in a
fracas if there should be one. He discharged the revolver once to be
sure it was in good order and fit for use providing it should be neces-
sary to employ it in self-defense.

In a little while Mrs. Barber and Srygley came in sight, and Conant
then sent his men to their work, saying that Barber was not with
them and there would be no trouble. Srygley was having dealings
with Barber, and had accommodated him with a team to do plowing
both on the Baker place and a piece of ground he had rented from old
man Conant on the old homestead. The elder Conant now arrived,
and the son sent him across to his house with the double purpose of
waiting till he should haul off the lumber which he had taken from
the stable, and to get him away from the scene of the excitement.
William Conant drove into the yard where the lumber was piled, and
at that moment Barber, and Roderick Kavanaugh, the widow's son,
came, running their horses. The latter dismounted and hitched, but
Barber commenced an onslaught of vile and insulting language, order-
ing Conant's hands, who were now on the spot, to depart the premises,
and at the same time attempted to ride over Conant. The latter seized
the horse by the bridle, and displayed his revolver. The senior
Conant, Mrs. Barber, and Srygley, all made their appearance on the
scene at this juncture. The former was verj^ much excited and de-
manded profanely to know what they were all doing there, and telling
them that the}^ had no business on the place. The woman had a club
in her hands which she brandished at old man Conant, declaring herself
"enough for him." They bandied abuse a moment, when she struck
him on the head and arms with the cudgel, crying she would kill him.
He shouted to the men to take her off", as he did not want to receive or
return blows. Srygley dragged her 'away a few steps, and Barber
ordered her to go to the house. The old man following them and
talking excitedly, was turned upon by Barber, who grasped him by the
collar, pressed his head against a wagon wheel and drew back his right
hand to strike, when the son instantly cocked his revolver and com-
manded Barber to let his father go, and he did so. Barber now directed
his attention to the latter, and a talk and quarrel of some length ensued,
when Mrs. Barber stole up and struck his hand, hoping to knock the

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 663

revolver from it, and almost succeeded in thatMesign. With the agility
and ferocity of a tiger Barber at the same instant sprang upon his back,
reached forward and grasped his wrists, hissing with demoniacal rage
that now he would riddle him. The struggle was now for life and was
fought with the desperation of despair. Barber cried out to Kavanaugh,
" I've got him, Rod ; you get the pistol ! " The latter, greatly excited,
shouted, " Kill him ! kill him ! " Conant held onto the weapon with both
hands, and bending forward with the intention of raising Barber clear
of the ground, whirl and throw him, was that instant jumped upon by
Srygley, who threw himself on the struggling man's head and shoulders,
and reached for the revolver. This was kept out of the way of both
assailants. The old man cried out to William to give it to him.
Srygley said, "Give it to me or the old man; give it to me and I'll
see you aint hurt." The old man tried to get it. Kavanaugh got
hold of it, pulled, and fired. The hammer had not been let down
since Conant raised it and ordered Barber to release his father. Upon
the discharge Kavanaugh, frightened, exclaimed with an oath, " Kill
the cuss ! " Barber returned, " Stick to him. Rod ; get the pistol and
shoot the devil ! " Conant having made the mistake of bringing it on
the ground even with the intention only of being on equal terras with
Barber, whom he supposed would be armed if he should come, had no
recourse now in the anger and excitement of the moment but to keep
it at all cost in his own hands. In the unequal contest his strength
was giving out, and he called to Gordon San ford for assistance, but the
latter only stood and looked on. Then the old man Conant called him
several times, but he did not respond with help. Believing that the
critical issue was at hand the father exclaimed, " Shoot them, Bill ; if
you don't they'll kill you. If you are afraid to do it give me the pistol
and I'll do it." At this point the defendant was thrown upon his hands
and knees, and then for the first time he freed his wrists from Barber's
vice-like grip. His father tried again to get the revolver, but was
pushed away by Kavanaugh, who also repeated the same attempt,
Conant managed to get up with both Barber and Srj'gley on him.
The three men now increased their exertions and all began tugging at
the revolver. In pulling his hands apart they cocked it; Conant saw
what was done, and knowing it was only a question of time when he
should be overpowered and murdered on the spot, the instincts of
self-preservation asserted themselves for the first time at this stage in
his secret thought, and he decided to save his own life. Just then the
woman struck at his head with a club, but dodging, the blow was
received on his own and Srygley's shoulders. The old man began
pulling at the latter who held on to the defendant, and when at last

664 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

his hold was broken William's arms involuntarily went with sudden
force to the left; the muzzle struck Barber in the side and Conant
fired. The poor man clasped his sides, exclaiming, " Oh God ! I'm
shot ! " Srvgley and Kavanaugh rushed at Conant, but were kept at
bay with the cocked weapon ; the infuriated woman, bitter and venge-
ful to the last, finished the melancholy affair which she had begun by
hurling first her clnb and then a pole at the old man. Srygley assisted
Barber into the house, Kavanaugh went for a doctor, and Conant
and his men loaded up the lumber. Then the Conants went to Paw
Paw and stated the facts to John M. Derr, justice of the peace. Ex-
citement ran high and they were advised to waive examination, which
they did. Barber lingered nine days and died. They obtained a
change of venue to Whitesides county and were tried at Morrison at
the October term 1867. The father was sentenced to six years' impris-
onment and the son to eight. Judgment was obtained for $5,000 to
be paid to his widow ; a woman was brought from Canada who proved
to be his widow, and she released the judgment. William Conant
served two years and nine months and was pardoned, and his father
four years and four months, when he also was released through execu-
tive clemency.

SCHOOLS.

Among the early immigrants the schoolmaster came, and his call-
ing made him welcome. At first, school was taught in a log house on
the north side of Paw Paw Grove, on Dixon road, probably. A peda-
gogue who wielded the birch for several seasons here, and whose
checkered life is still the topic of talk in many family circles, as occa-
sion recalls it to memory, deserves a brief notice. Born in Ireland,
after living for a time in an eastern state, he left his family, and soon
after his arrival here was engaged as the teacher. In many respects it
seemed fortunate for the settlement. He was not only a man of con-
siderable learning, well-read in literature, but he had also some poetical
genius, and was so well versed in law that he could plead successfully
a desperate case and win it before a backwoods jury. If in anything
he was perfect, he would say sometimes, it was his ability to impart a
" correct knowledge of the English language." He could quote Byron,
Burns and Shakespeare by the hour, and made it his boast that no one
could name a purely English word that he could not define. His stu-
dents invariably mention his remarkable gift for teaching. Unfortu-
nately he had a consuming appetite for whisky. If not intoxicated in
school hours, he often was at other times. At length a neighbor, who
had been his boon companion in many a carousal, mysteriously disap-
peared, and a terrible suspicion rested upon the school-teacher. If he

wroMiisra township. 665

*

had stained his hands with crime it was done in a drunken craze.
Years afterward a body was found, believed to be the missing man,
under circumstances which strengthened tlie suspicion ; but it was too
late to call the perpetrator to account. The old schoolmaster's bad
habits had wrought retribution. Grown old, without friends here, and
sad, he appealed to relatives in the east. His daughters had become
wealthy by marriage, and they bade the messenger bring back this an-
swer : " Father shall have a good home with us if he will come ; the
best of clothes, plenty of money, and nothing to do, if he please; lov-
ing hands will minister to him in sickness ; — but there is one condition
— he cannot come to disgrace us by getting drunk." When told this
the old pedagogue wept. He reflected. Finally he said : " I cannot
give up the drink."

The first school was started as early as 1836 in a "little pole school-
house" not more than 12 X 12, built expressly for the purpose in the woods
on the Meade farm. Emily Giles, from Fox River, taught for $1 a week
and boarded around. All the early schools were supported by sub-
scription. For several years vacated cabins and private houses were
used on the Chicago road and at South Paw Paw ; we hear of one at
Fonda's corner, another near Wheeler's creamery, and very likely there
were still others. Of the early teachers we can name but few : Adams,
Robert Walker, Willard Hastings, Deacon Boardman, Walter Hyde,
Basswood, Mary Harding, Mrs. Amasa Harrington, Elisha A. Stanton,
and Mrs. Andrew Breese before marriage. The latter taught in the
"little pole cabin," and also the "section-line school." Walker, who
came here with May and Breese in 1841, taught in the Comstock
brothers' blacksmith-shop, and kept up his school with more or less
regularity until about 1816, but probably not all the time in the same
place. He is spoken of as a capital teacher, but large acquirements
and excellent capabilities are often yoked to crying vices, and the pity
is that this was true in his case. But Uncle Bobby's grape-vine swing,
the whippings caught for the sly swings in school-hours, and the quaint,
doggerel verses he composed on these themes are fresh and withal
pleasing recollections to citizens who were then his pupils. The first
frame school-building in the township was built as early as 181:6, near
the location of the creamery, in Paw Paw. About 1818 the country
hereabouts was divided into districts, and about 1860 the school in dis-
trict No. 1, South Paw Paw, was graded, but the one in No. 5 (Paw Paw)
is now the only one with a graded course of study. The township
contains ten districts, with ordinary school-houses, around which shade-
trees, and upon which window-blinds, are generally conspicuous for their
absence. The number of children of school age are 434, of whom 354

666 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

are enrolled. The principal of the township fund is $1,730; value of
school property, $6,550; and the tax levy for 1880 was $2,342.79.
John Colvill is present treasurer.

PIONEER PREACHERS.

With the earliest settlers came the open Bible. As early as the
winter of 1831:-5, or the spring of 1835, the venerable Benoni Plarris
would preach occasionally in his son's cabin, where he lived, and the
word would be listened to with an appreciation hardly known in these
later days. In 1839 came also the aged Father Morris, whose voice
would be heard in the cabins of the settlers. Circuit preachers began
to come about this time, among the first of whom were elders White,
Lumery, Alonzo Carter, Peter Cartwright, and Batchelder, all of
whom were Methodists. As the circuits were very large the appoint-
ments would be some three months apart. The early Baptist preach-
ers were elders Carpenter, Charles Harding, and Norman Warriner.

POST-OFFICE.

It is said that a star mail route was established here in 1837, and
that William Rogers was the first postmaster. Before an office was
obtained for this point the nearest was at Somonauk, fifteen miles east.
Isaac Robinson was postmaster as early as 1838 or 1839; in 1841 Wil-
lard Hastings, who was keeping store and tavern, carried the mail
between Paw Paw and Princeton, going by way of Four-Mile Grove.
Hiram Wood was the incumbent of the office from 1845 to 1849, when
William H. Robinson took it till 1853, and then Wood again. He
was next succeeded, in 1857, by James Simons, and he, in 1861, by
John Colvill, who has held it continuously since. The latter became
deputy under Robinson in 1850, and, with the exception of two years,
was connected with the office until his appointment. J. D. Rogers
was an early post carrier. At one time being set upon by fourteen
drunken men, who insisted on examining the mail, he made some
remarks to them which brought a return of bricks and billets, but the
smart animal which he rode bore him out of bad company without loss
of anything but temper.

We condense a few rambling facts of curious interest. In the early
settlement " The Big Field," as it was called, was established by com-
mon agreement for the protection of crops, no one being allowed to
turn stock upon the area until a specified time. It extended on the
north to the road running along the south side of Smith's and Allen's
groves, east to the county line, south to the Chicago road, and west to
Jacob Epla's. We have no knowledge how long it was maintained.

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 66T

The three cottonwoods on the Ritchie place, measuring nearly four
feet in diameter, were planted by the hand of E-hoda E-ogers in 1838.
The one at Grummond's corner was set out by George Town in 1840,
and those in front of Amos Siglin's by A. J. Harrington a few years
later. The half mile row of maples standing Lester Harding planted
in 1847. The same year he brought a lot of cottonwoods from Viola
township, a distance of six miles, on his back, and set them out on
land which he sold the next 3'ear to Lord Jones, who has since built a
barn from them, and still has a large grove left. The large and beau-
tiful grove on the Earlville road, owned by Deacon Israel Hallock,
was planted by him at two different dates, the hard maples about
1850, and the soft maples some twelve years afterward. It is partly
inclosed with a border of stately cedars and tamaracks. The first
hedge raised in Wyoming township, if not in Lee county, stands on
the west line of Sec. 21, on the Morton Girton farm, and was grown
by Ira Baker. He found 13,000 osage plants, where some discouraged
peddler, no doubt, had thrown them away, and put them to grow in
that place.

ORGANIZATION AND STATISTICS.

The township was organized in 1850, under the name of Paw Paw.
The first meeting of citizens to elect officers was at school-house No.
5, April 2. The whole number of votes cast was one hundred and
thirteen. David A. Town was chosen supervisor and John Colville
town clerk. The name of the town, as before mentioned, was soon
after changed to Wyoming. The honor of the highest township office
has been conferred upon only eight difierent persons in the long
period of thirty years.

The population of Wyoming in 1870 was 1,280, and by the last
census 1,453. Not a colored man resided in the township at either
date. The assessed valuation in 1880 was as follows: Real estate,
$550,893 ; personal property, $114,679. The township contains 165
farms, some of them of large size. The latest and best agricultural
machinery is in use. The soil is a rich, deep, black loam ; the sub-
stratum usually gravel, but sometimes clay. The rainfall seems more
abundant and frequent, even in years of drouth, than elsewhere, and
springs are numerous ; hence crops are usually sure. The highest
ground in Wyoming marks the divide between the Illinois and the
Rock rivers. The surface is diversified by ridges, and at almost every
point drainage is easy, often without artificial aid. Ague and malaria
seem not to have been known, or at least not enough to be noticed.
Good health and long life and general comfort and prosperity are more
generally enjoyed here than in most other parts of the west.

668

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

The following is a list of township officers since the county
adopted township organization :

TEAR

VOTE

SUPERVISOR

TOWN CLERK

ASSESSOR

COLLECTOR

1850

113

David A. Town.

John Colvill...

Willard Hastings

Geo. S. Walton

1851

02

"

" . . . .

"

Edwin Ellsworth

18.52

7a

Geo. Ryan

Jas. Simons. . .

Elisha A. Stanton...

Miles S. Simons

1858

8S

Lester Harding .

Miles D.Cass..

Elihu Rogers

Harvey Bills

1854

140

•S Mclntyre. . .

1855

93

"

Harvey Bills

Hiram Wood

1856

150

Hiram Terrj?^. . .

Jno Colvill .

Willard Hastino-s

1857

185

Jno. Colvill

D'dW.Madden

Hiram Wood

1858

225

0. W. J3ryant...

J. M. Derr . . . .

"

S. N. Bunker

1851)

188

Jno. Colvill

L. H. Flagg. . .

"

18(30

197

0. W. Bryant...

"

John A. Hunt

1861

185

Jno. Edwards. . .

"

"

"

1862

214

Geo. Rvan

Wm. McMahan

Stephen N. Bunker

186:j

203

Obed W. Bryant

" ....

Jas. E. Woodbridge .

"

1864

173

Geo. Rvan

"

Stephen A. Tarr

I860

105

"

" ....

Wm. McMalian

L. H. Flagg

1866

210
201

Lester Harding.

"

John Colvill

11

1867

"

Wm. McMahan

B. J. Wheeler

1868

1 82

• I

W. C. Rusiyan

Isaac E. Hunt

Jacob Epla
Isaac Morris

1869

212

Wm. McMahan.

1870

164
151

O.W. Bryant...

'• ..'.

Wm. McMahan

1871

John Harding

1872

20]

"

" ....

"

Rem 'ton Warriner

1878

160

Jno. Edwards. . .

•fno. Agler. . . .

Remington Warriner

Thos. W. Marble

1874

213

L. H. Flagg...

"

"

1875

197

"

"

"

Clark Agler

1876

240

"

'•

«'

1877

246

"

....

Wm. McMahan

John Allen

1878

301

Wm. McMahan.

Henry Potier. .

John Harding

1879

240

"

"

Ira Baker

1880

252

"

'• ....

"

Jas. H. Thompson

1881

283

A. C. Radley..

W. H. Smith

PAW PAW.

The thrift and superiority of this town exceed any conceptions that
might be formed of it from its size. The greatest worth takes the
least room. It contains most of the business and over one-third
of the population of Wyoming, and having no corporate existence is
one of the most orderly, as it is one of the most pleasant, villages in
the state. The larger part of it is upon a tract of twenty-five acres,
purchased by Peter May from George Town in 1841.

Mrs. Yinccnt Breese, daughter of Peter May, narrates that on ar-
rival of her fathei-'s family, just as the journey's end was reached, their
team got stalled in the mire near the spot where the depot now stands,
and that they put up that night at the nearest house, which was George
Town's. This was on May 5, and the smouldering ruins of Hastings'
house and store were still smoking. Town's hewn log house, built in
1837, was the lirst on the site of the village after the historic cabin
built by Edward Butterfield in 1835. May's cabin stood close to the

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 669

present Suttor ^louse, west of Siglin & Potter's brick store, and his
smithy, started m 1842, was on the sonth side of the road, nearly oppo-
site the store.

The Hastings house, formerly on the site of the Roberts dwelling,
was built in May 1841, and was the first frame house both in the vil-
lage and township. About this time Charles Peleher burned brick at
the east end of tlie grove, and Hastings was one of his first and heavi-
est patrons, having erected right away a house which is now clapboarded
and standing at Fonda's corner, the first brick structure in Wyoming.
The brickyard was soon moved to the west end of the grove, and this
circumstance, trifling as it was, seems to have exerted a remote influence
on the future growth of the struggling hamlet. Tlie Peleher land is
now the Wheeler farm ; on it, near the " big spring," was built a frame
house in 1841:. Jacob Epla rented this farm and lived on it in 1845.
The perennial fountain may have suggested the need of the "fount of
knowledge," as near by was now built the flrst frame school-house in
the township.

Amasa Harrington arrived in 1844, bringing his two sons, A. J.
Harrington and H. H. Harrington (the two last of whom reside in the
village to-day), and in 1846 bought the May propert}^ receiving the
deed direct from George Town. In the same year that Harrington
came, Adolphus or Rudolphus Holly built on the south side of the
Chicago road (identical with Main street), opposite George Town's, a
part of the house now owned by Abram Thomas. The next year
Amos Sawyer put up a cabin on the site of the Detamore house. In
1846 George Town moved out of his log cabin into the present Grura-
mond house, which he had just erected. John Colvill and Jacob
Rogers (nicknamed " Prairie " Rogers, for being so eccentric as to
locate out on the prairie in an early day) were in partnership in the
manufacture of shingles by horse-power.

Thus as late as the spring of 1847, when twelve years had elapsed
in the history of this little settlement, it contained but half a dozen
families, and its business was all comprised in the one little smithy and
the shingle mill. After the little grocery burned in 1841 no one had
ventured again in trade. In the absence of stores peddlers had profited,
among whom was William H. Field, who had plied his vocation in
these parts since 1843. On the northeast and south sides of the grove
were settlements fully as pretentious and competitive, unconscious
rivals for the immigration and trade of a world.

But now came an influx of population and improvements cheering
to this community. Jedediah Foster and his son Dwight located on
the Ira Baker corner in 1847. Dr. J. C. Heath, from Somonauk, set-
tled here between 1846 and 1849, and was the earliest located physi-

670 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

cian in the place. In the latter year he was selling drugs, and not long
after erected two buildings on the north side of Main street. He re-
mained a few years, and is now in Texas. .

Field & Robinson began merchandising in a building put np by
them on the east side of Peru street in the autumn of 1848, the one
now standing next north of Squire Harding's residence. The}' dissolved
in a year or two and Field erected the Mayor building, now a harness
shop.

Charles Pelcher erected four brick houses in the next two or three
years : one was on the Hendershot corner (torn away in 1880) ; an-
other was the Field house, begun in 1849 for Willard Hastings ; and
two for himself — one on the Wheeler place, still in use, and the other
the old Detamore house, in 1851.

Meanwhile various industries had been established. Mechanics
moved in. Blacksmiths had been the first to put up shops; they did a
flourishing business. The Walton brothers lived just south of the cor-
ner of Main and Peru streets, on the west side, and Sylvester Smith,
shoemaker, next below. On the opposite side William Field, in 1849,
built the main part of 'Squire Harding's house, the lirst floor of which
Eri Butler afterward used for a wagon shop.

In 1849 Isaac Morris came to the place and began shoemaking. He
has worked at his trade until now, Harris D. Merwine arrived the
same time, and the next year set up in the wagon-making business in
the western part of the village.

Erastus Gates, school-teacher, at this time owned lots on the west
corner of Peru and Main streets. John Allen, carpenter, afterward
owned property there which his famil}' occupied many years. He sold
the last of this ground in 1880 and moved his house to East avenue.

Not far from 1850 a blacksmith shop was built by Alonzo Osborn,
and another by James S^nnonds, both on the south side of Main street.
Symonds did a large business manufacturing wagons and plows, keep-
ing as many as five forges at work. William Cole, Thomas Webster,
Bunker, Leonard Bell and Maj. Morse are some of the smiths who
have waked the echoes of the anvil here in times past. But probably
the most distinguished was 'Squire L. H. Flagg, an early settler, who
was engaged at his trade several years, connected with different travel-
ing troupes, and by the partiality of his fellow citizens was contin-
uously in township office, holding various positions. He was a man of
remarkable frame, weighed over 300 pounds; was a rare vocalist, and
as such established a flattering reputation. He was called the "lion
bass," and his voice is said to have rivaled the depth of distant thunder
and the pureness of the ^Eolian harp.

Returning to the first merchants we find that John Colviil was

^a^^-f^

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 673

the leading tradesman after 1850. In 1862 he built tlie FLigg & Baker
clotliing store, and in the winter of 1872-3 the Colvill or post-office
building. Westcott Field sold out to I. K. Miller, who was succeeded
in 1854 by Sears & Howlett. This firm was in trade till about 1856,
when the senior member ran awav, leaving Howlett to pay the debts,
amounting to $8,000. Stephens & Lawton followed them a short time,
and in the fall of 1856 sold their stock to Cone & Madden, who oc-
cupied the drng building. Madden bought out Cone and then sold to
Hiram Fnller, Mark Averill sold goods in the place prior to most of
those named. A chronicler tells also when the first saloon was here,
but it little matters.

Andrew Breese opened a dry-goods store in 1852, and the next
year Wilcox & Beck a cooperative establishment. These were in busi-
ness a few years. In 1858 Jacob Hendershot began in the grocery
business in the West building and continued in it till 1873; he then
erected on the south side the first brick business house ever in Paw
Paw, and added a stock of dry goods. His building consists of two
stories and a basement. In 1880 he erected an elegant brick residence
on the southeast corner of Main and Peru streets, where he had lived
twenty yeai's.

In 1860 William Hazel started the first harness shop. In 1865
William Mayor engaged in the same business on the south side; two
years after his son, J. W. Maj^or, took charge of it for him, and in 1869
succeeded as proprietor. John Harding commenced trading in 1865,
in partnership with John Colvill, and since 1872 has been alone in
business. William Merrill began selling goods in 1S75 in the firm of
William Merrill & Co., and the next year built the Centennial brick
building, which he still occupies.

On July 7, 1872, Lester Potter, just commencing in business here,
received the first shipment of coal and lumber ever brought to Paw
Paw by rail transportation. He was a pai-fner in the erection, in 1880,
of the Siglin & Potter double brick building, which occupies nearly
the identical spot on which Peter May raised his rade cabin. Tile
Wheeler brick store was erected by George W. Lindsey in 1877.
Reuben Hall built his large double brick building in 1880, and II. M.
Wilson also ei'ected a two-story brick structure on the southwest corner
of Main and Peru streets. A man named Skoyles built the fiouring-
mill about 1876.

The Oak Grove creamery and cheese factor}^ 30x40, with an
addition 20x50, owuied by B. J. Wheeler, was erected by him in 1880,
and the manufacture of dairy products was begun the present season.
On the first floor are four rooms ; one contains an engine of twelve-
horse power; one is the creamery; another is used for making and
40

674 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

pressing, and the last contains the springs. These send up water six
feet above the surface in such quantity that a pump throwing sixty
gallons per minute does not exhaust the supply. The second floor is
divided into apartuients for storing. The factory has a capacit}^ for
15,000 pounds of milk per day, and the quality of the butter and cheese
produced here compares most favorably with the products of older
estal)lishments.

Paw Paw contains two hotels for tlie accommodation of" the public.
The Detamore house has an interesting history and a well established
reputation. The old brick, 16x22, was built in 1851, and two years
later an addition 28x36 was made. In 1871 the flrst part was torn
away and replaced by another, 20x30, giving the edifice a home-like
appearance and an air of repose and comfort. Before it was remodeled,
Union Hall, in which Corinthian Lodge held meetings many years, was
in the second story. This house has an ancient reputation for having
been run on temperance principles.

The Paw Paw house, sometimes called the West house, was built
by Barber, Bull & Hendcrshot in 1857. It is a two-story frame, and
stands next east of the Detamore house. Anchor Lodge met in Wash-
ington Hall in this house for severaf years.

The princi])al business men in the town, not before mentioned, are
H. H. Harrington, J. H. Thompson, Alexander Field, W. A. Pratt, S.
C. Mitchell, W. H. Barringer, Guttin, A. R. Harp, S. A. Abbott,
Marshal Reams, Henry Lewis, and John Rosenberger, station agent.
Others have been in business here from time to time; but tliis topic is
already too much extended.

For twenty-five years prior to 18Y3 Paw Paw could support but
two stores, and each had but a small trade. The farmers would go
where the railroad was, and to keep their patronage at home a railroad
must needs come here. Those who feared that the cost of the road
would be a burden are agreeably disappointed. It was harder for
farmers to haul 100 bushels of corn to Earlville in ante-railroad times
than now to deliver 250 at Paw Paw. Besides, when they went to
Earlville to carry products and procure supplies a day's time was con-
sumed. Now the market is so near every man's door that he can do
his trading in the evening. But the rapid development of Paw Paw
is most conclusive evidence in this matter. In 1871 the lots and build-
ings together, in this village, were assessed at only $3,809. Now they
pay taxes on a valuation of over $60,000. Ten years ago the two
stores of much importance carried, the one a stock valued at $550 and
the other $250. Now there are at least a dozen prosperous concerns
in trade here, and a single firm carries a stock worth over $5,000, which
it must frequently replenish to meet its brisk trade. New buildings

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 675

are yearly erected, some of them fine business blocks. Hotels have
increased. Two good newspapers are established. Of course the tax
for the railroad is more than met by the increase of wealth.

In recent j'ears an extensive trade in butter has been established,
and so excellent a reputation has been made for the ])roduct shipped
from Paw Paw that the brand of the dealers here is much sought after
by dealers abroad. To the excellent pasturage in the vicinity, and the
intelligent and painstaking care in the different stages of making,
keeping and shipping, is due the superior quality of the butter sent
from here. In 1873 the number of packages invoiced at this station
was 875, and in 1880 it had increased to 4,550, aggregating about
227,000 pounds. A single firm handled in one year over $23,000 worth.

The Paw Paw Grove post-office was made a money order office
July 1, 1875. For the quarter ended September 30 of that year the
number of orders issued was 111, amounting to $1,802.31. For the
quarter ended September 30, 1881, there were 357 orders, the cash
amount of which was $4,805.14.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first number of the Paw Paw "Herald" appeared November
23, 1877. R. H. Ruggles, of Mendota, owned the office and was first ed-
itor. In January, 1878, E. G. Cass and J. B. Gardner took control of the
paper as publishers, and on February 22 were succeeded b}^ the present
proprietor, W. M. Geddes, who shortly after bought the proj^erty from
Ruggles. Mr. Geddes' ownership has extended from its early infancy,
when its patrons numbered fewer than a hundred. He came to Paw Paw
at the age of twenty-one, an entire stranger ; but brought with him the
elements of success acquired in a diligent apprenticeship to his trade. As
a result of his industry and good business and editorial management
the " Herald " has attained a circulation hy which it is self-sustaining
and remunerative; and there goes out from the office every week, in
addition to its own issue, the Amboy "News." In the past the
Shabbona " Record " and the East Paw Paw " Clarion," the latter in
the interest of the seminary at that place, have been published by Mr,
Geddes. The "Herald" supports republican political principles.

On March 21, 1878, the first number of the "Lee County Times,"
a democratic paper, was issued by E. G. Cass and J. B. Gardner, at
Paw Paw. Tliey started also about the same time the Compton
" Record," and in May the Lee " Monitor." In August Mr. Gardner
retired from the partnership, and since that date Mr. Cass has con-
tinued the business with growing success and popularit3^ In April,
1880, he began the publication of a paper at Earlville called the
" Leader." Mr. Cass spent seven years at the case in the office of the

676 HISTOKY OF LEE COUNTY.

" Sun and Journal " at Dixon, and located in this village in the pub-
lisiiing business when but nineteen years old. He has made the
"Times" a live paper and attracted to his support a paying subscrip-
tion. Both these offices have well-furnished job departments.

CHURCHES.

To Deacon Israel F. Hallock and wife we are indebted for the very
full history of the Paw Paw Baptist church. It was organized at the
house of Deacon Orlando Boardman at South Paw Paw, in February
1841. There were present Elder Burton Carpenter, delegate from
the Dixon charge; Elder Iladley, from the Lamoille; and Elder
Thos. Powell, from the Vermilion. Elder Carpenter preached the
organization sermon, and Elder Powell the second sermon, the text
of the latter being these appropriate words : " By whom shall Jacob
arise ? for he is small." Of the thirteen members that composed that
organization live ai'e still living, but all have moved away save Mrs.
Deacon Hallock. Elder Carpenter, being one of the constituent mem-
bers, preached to the charge about two months, and was succeeded by
Elder Charles Harding, who was the first regular installed pastor. He
resided at Indian Creek, and his stations were Ottawa, Dayton precinct,
Paw Paw Grove, and Indian Creek. While on this work, in 18i3, he
was suddenly stricken down and died, in his thirty-second year. The
" Northwestern Baptist," in an obitnar}^ notice, says : " His style and
manner of address were after the model of Baxter, . . . by his decease
• a great chasm is made." The Pcv. Norman Warriner was the second
pastor, his labors continuing twenty years. In the next decade the
charge was served by the Revs. J. D. Pullis, G. W. Scott, G. B.
Pcrrit, and Wm. Sturgeon. The present pastor, the Pev. II. R.
Hicks, came in 1874. During his ministry one-third of the present
membership were baptized. Early in Elder Warriner's pastorate a
house of worship, 21x36, was erected at South Paw Paw, Deacon
Orlando Boardman contributing the greater part, and living to con-
tribute liberally to a second one, erected just at the close of Warriner's
pastorate. Size of latter about 3Gx GO. This was dedicated in 1864
and moved to Paw Paw in 1873, where remodeled. It is truly a
pleasant place of worship. Membership per report of 1880, 120.

About 1870 the Presbyterians of Paw Paw began holding meetings
in the school-house, the Rev. Alexander S. Peck, of the Wyoming
church at Cottage Hill, preaching for them regularly every two weeks.
A committee consisting of the Revs. John Eustic, Alexander S. Peck,
and Robert Hays, appointed by the Ottawa Presbytery to organize a
church at Paw Paw, were called to meet for that purpose on the 26th
of May, 1873. Only the first two were present. Those who took part

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 677

in the organization and were the first members were Miss Sarah A.
Wilson, Andrew J. Fuller, Susan C. Fuller, Jane Nettleton, Jane
Balentine, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Cole, Henry Cole, and Jane Howell.
Andrew C. Radley and Andrew J. Fuller were elected ciders, and
Jacob Ilendershot, A. C. Radley and A. J. Fuller trustees. The
Rev. Alexander S. Peck was the first preacher. In 1875 this society
built their present beautiful little church on East avenue, at a cost of
$1,900. The funds were raised by subscription, and when the house
was completed in the autunm no specter of debt hung over it to trouble
the free course of the truth and the thoughts of the worshipers. The
Rev. .Dr. Gibson, of Chicago, delivered the dedicatory sermon. The
Rev. Peck supplied the pulpit until the close of the year 187G, and the
Rev. McFarland and others from that date to April 1878. The Rev.
George D. McCulloch was then ordained, and installed pastor of this
church, and remained in charge until July 1881. Whole number of
members since the organization, 57; number received by letter, 11 ;
deceased, 3 ; present membership, 44.

In the year 1869 Elder Lazenby, of Paw Paw circuit, preached at
the school-house. About 1870 a class of five members was formed ;
these were James Fonda, Jane E. Fonda, Sarah E. Swarthout, Edward
Patrick, Harriet Patrick. That winter many more joined. In 1875,
under the labors of Rev. Pomeroy, the Methodist Episcopal church
was erected. Paw Paw, as a separate charge in the Rock River con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal church, was organized in October
1S79. Previous to that time it had stood in connection with Paw
Paw circuit, with preaching once in two weeks. When organized into
a charge there remained an indebtedness on the church of $440. With-
in the last two years that amount has been paid, together with a float-
ing debt of $250 ; besides a good parsonage has been bought and paid
for in full. The church has eighty members, and is in a good, healthy
working state. Rev. B. Close, the only pastor since this became a
station, is now entering upon his third year. His generous labors in
behalf of this church will long be a theme of pleasing retrospection.

In 1857, under the efibrts of John Fleming, a missionary pastor
from Earlville, was organized the Wyoming (now Cottage Hill) Pres-
byterian Society, with the following eight members : Barton Bisbee,
Joseph Blee, William Winter, Sally G. Bisbee, Euphremia Blee, Mrs.
Wm. Winter, Mrs. Wm. Sproul, James Sproul. Mr. Fleming con-
tinued to preach here once in two weeks. Meetings were held in the
school-house now known as the Cottage Hill school-house. In 1858
or 1859 a building was erected, about 20x40, costing some $200,
which was paid by subscription. Rev. Mr. Fleming and Rev. John
Eustic were present. In 1863, this being too small it was sold to

678 HISTORY OF LEE COUJ^TY.

Joseph Blee, and is now owned by his son, Jaraes Blee, and used for
a granary, and a larger church was built a little north of where the
other one stood. This is about 36x60, with a steeple probably eighty
feet high ; cost, $2,200. This was remodeled in 1881. Preaching
was by difierent ones, but no one settled as pastor till about 1870,
when Alexander Peck was duly installed. He served seven years.
'Rev. McFarland succeeded for one year. In 1878 Rev. George D.
McCulloch, pastor at Paw Paw Grove, became the supply at Cottage
Hill, and continued three years. James McDowell and Wm. McCard
are elders. As showing tiie simplicity of these times, Mrs. Barton
Bisbee tells that when she and her husband came in 1856 they were
right from fashionable New England, just married, and of course on
Sunday she came out dressed in her best. What was her surprise and
chagrin to see the pastor enter dressed in blue jeans, and bare-footed.
She says, "How I longed to get out of sight." That white dress did
not appear again till it had been dj'ed, and all her finery was treated as
superfluous. Probably that preacher's dress was fully as elFective as
his address,

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

The first Sunday-school at the Grove was itistituted by the Rev.
Benoni Harris in the little Mead school-house, the second one at the
Robert Walker school-house, and the third in the new frame school-
house near the "big spring." About this time was held the first
Sunday-school picnic at the Grove; two schools represented. Paw Paw
and Four-mile Grove ; James Goble, marshal of the day, and Eldei' O. W.
Bryant, orator. After the erection of the present school building at
Paw Paw a Sunday-school was organized in the upper room, with
Reuben B. Johnson, now of Aurora, as superintendent; Jacob Hen-
dershot, secretary, and H. H. Hamilton, librarian. This had a large
attendance for many years. It was a union school, kept up only in
the summer season. When the different churches in the village were
built and they organized their own separate schools, this one, of course,
was discontinued. The Baptist society, being the first here, drew ofl^
its members ; then followed tiie Presbyterians, taking away some, and
lastly the Methodists. So the several churches now have schools
maintained the year round.

FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.

In a community where the rude rabble and "cup convivial" are
unknown, it is but natural that there should be fervently fostered those
higher types of civilization, those beautiful groupings in the panorama
of life, where kindred hearts are banded together to aid the needy,
comfort the distressed, strengthen bonds of friendship, and promote

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 679

general good. In Wyoming societies thrive, but saloons die; farmers,
mechanics and merchants prosper, while the lawyer, justice and sheriff
find little to do, and the calaboose is unknown.

Corinthian Lodge, No. 205, A. F. and A.M., was instituted at West
Paw Paw, August 14, 1856, under a dispensation granted by the grand
master, W. B. Herriek. Elias Mott was named as W.M. ; J. C. Heath,
S.W. ; D. W. Madden, J.W. ; Henry Rosencrans was appointed Secre-
tary; Jedediah Foster, Treasurer; C. M. Cheeney, S.D. ; George
Wirick, J.D., and J. O. Crooker, Tyler. The charter was granted
October 7, 1856, and the above-named persons, J. O. Crooker excepted,
were the charter members. The present membership is sixty-one, and
the officers are T. D. Palmer, M.D., W.M. ; George Kelly, S.W. ;
Jacob Hendershot, J.W. ; T. H. Stetler, M.D., Secretary ; S. C. Mitch-
ell, Treasurer; W. L. Nicholson, S.D.; W. S. Tingling, J.D. ; Rev. O.
W. Bryant, Chaplain ; E. G. Cass, S.S. ; Robert Ritchie, J.S. ; Will-
iam Mayor, Tiler. The lodge is in a vei"y fiourisiiing condition. Its
work can hardl}' be excelled. It meets regularly on the first Thursday
evening on or before the full moon of each month. Jedediah Foster,
the founder of this lodge, was at the date of his death the oldest Mason
in the state, having been a member of the order sixty-seven years. He
was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts, August 5, 1780, and died De-
cember 21, 1869. Corinthian Lodge has erected a handsome monument
to his memory.

Veeder Conclave, No. 11, Kights of the Red Cross of Rome and
Constantine, was instituted March 20, 1877, by Inspector General
Dr. J. J. French, with the following charter members: T. D. Palmer,
M.D., J. W. Swisher, Evan Thomas, B. G. Barratt, George Kelly, S.
C. Mitchel, W. L. Nicholson, T. Doty, William McMahan, Asahel
Prentice, Adam Miller. The first officers were Sir Knights T. D.
Palmer, M.D., Sovereign ; J. W. Swisher, Viceroy ; Evan Thomas,
Recorder; B. G. Barratt, Senior General ; George Kelly, Junior Gen-
eral ; S. C. Mitchel, High Prelate ; W. L. Nicholson, Prefect, and
Thomas Doty, Herald. The present officers are Sir Knights T. D.
Palmer, M.D., Sovereign ; George Kelly, Viceroy ; Theodore Doty,
Senior General ; J. H. Blee, Junior General ; Asahel Prentice, High
Prelate; D. B. Pratt, Treasurer; S. C. Mitchel, Recorder; W. L.
Nicholson, Prefect; W. C. Holden, Herald; William McMahan,
Standard Bearer; John K. Mannon, Sentinel. Regular meetings on
the first evening before full moon, and two weeks thereafter in each
month.

Anchor Lodge, No. 510, I.O.O.F., was instituted April 16, 1873,
by Anderson C. Radley, Acting Grand Master. The charter members
were John Patrick, G. W. Lindsej^, jr., Alexander Field, B. J.

680 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Wlicolor, and Jacob Epla. First officers: Alexander Field, Noble
Grand ; B. J. "Wliccler, Vice Grand ; G. W. Lindsey, jr., Recording
Secretary; J.Patrick, Treasurer; Jacob Epla, Permanent Secretary.
This lodge meets regularly on Wednesday of each week. It has a mem-
bership of sixty-five, and one of the best furnished halls in the county.
Its present officers are Henry Potter, Noble Grand ; William Siglin,
Vice Grand ; J. Rosen bei'ger, Secretary ; R. S. Near, Permanent Sec-
retary ; W. A. Pratt, Treasurer; J. Wood, Grand Warden ; R. M. Yal-
cntine, Gi'and Sci'ibe ; J. Kctchum, Grand Treasurer; C. Perr}^ Grand
Master; Joseph Radley, Grand Chaplain ; J. W. Mayor, representative
to Grand Lodge.

Paw Paw Encampment, No. 52, I.O.O.F. This advanced branch
of the order was originally at Earlville, and instituted there July 22,
18G3, nndcr the name of Earl Encampment, by E. Y. Griggs, of
Ottawa, Deputy Gi'and Patriarch. The following were the charter
members: D. M. Vosburgh, C. P. Moore, John Patrick, T. M. Rob-
inson, Jolin B. Luce, Cornelius Ragan, and David Lewis. The iirst
officers were II. P. Moore, Chief Patriarch ; John Patrick, High
Pi-iest ; T. M. Robinson, Senior Warden ; Willard Robinson, Junior
Warden ; John B. Luce, Scribe. Its history comprises the loss of
records and other property by a disastrous fire, and subsequent remov-
als to East Paw Paw and Paw Paw. Its first meeting in Paw Paw
was March 10, 1879. Its present membership numbers forty-two, and
its officers are J. W. Mayor, Chief Patriarch ; W. M. Geddes, High
Priest; J. H. Sprague, Senior Warden ; James A.Warren, Junior
Warden; D. R. McLaughlin, Scribe ; William Siglin, Treasurer ; M.
W. Goble, representative to Grand Encampment. Regular meetings
Monday evening on or before full moon, and two weeks thereafter.

The social habits of a community are of the first importance, for on
these all else of value depends. In no single fact of the history of
Wyoming is there so much of gratifying significance as that for twenty
3'ears no person has been licensed to sell ardent spirits, and for ten
years strong beer has been prohibited. Pauper expenses are only
about $100 a year. Public order and decency have not to be main-
tained by standing effort; they are voluntary results. As such they
point to what is above shoddy pretense, the really high character of
the inhabitants. Organization and sumptuary labors have aided in
the growth of the temperance sentiment. Societies are formed ; they
flourish and decay, but the eternal good they represent, and in some
measure work out, never dies.

Three lodges of the I.O.G.T. have been established in Paw Paw.
Empire Lodge was organized in the spring of 1860, but in the snmraer
of the following year was moved to south Paw Paw. In October,

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 681

1865, Anchor Lodge was instituted, but the next summer it suspended.
Advance Lodge, No. 104-, dates from April 5, 1877. . The charter mem-
bers numbered about 35 persons, including some of the most useful
and prominent in the place, among whom were Rev, J. Ilartman and
wife, II. II. Harrington and wife, G. II. Gates and wife, Louisa and
Addie Fields, Cornelia Goodyear, S. J. Pearsol and wife, and D. B.
Mason. Meetings were held in Harrington's Ilall until suspended
July 26, 1879. In all these lodges Mr. Harrington was deputy. Be-
sides himself, Mr. and Mrs. Fields, their daughter Addie, and Mrs.
Sarah Swarthout, were earnest workers.

The "Dare to Do Right" blue-ribbon club was organized in Feb-
ruary 1878. A public meeting was held in the Methodist cliurch
Sunday evening, the 3d, when 88 persons tied on the red and white
ribbon. A week later the organization was efiected, and Josiah Mor-
ris was elected president, Teal Swarthout secretary, Mrs. Dr. Palmer
treasurer, and S. A. Abbott, J. Fonda, and S. C. Agler, executive com-
mittee.

The Wyoming Horse-Thief Protective Association was organized
in the summer of 1862, having for its object the security of its mem-
bers against horse-stealing, and it has so •well answered its purpose
that not one has since lost an animal by theft. The twenty-three
original members were some of the foremost citizens of this and Wil-
lov,^ Creek townships. The first officers were Ira Baker, president ;
J. M. Blee, vice-president; Hiram Terry, secretary; John Edwards,
treasurer, and J. C. Heath, agent. Present officers: S. II. Uline,
president; Jacob Epla, vice-president; F. E. Rogers, secretary and
marshal, and B. J. AVheeler, treasurer.

Wyoming Grange, No. 360, of the order of Patrons of Husbandry,
was organized April 10, 1873. Many of the solid men of the surround-
ing country were members, and during its existence of one year the
average enrollment was about twenty-five.

PHYSICIANS.

While J. C. Heath, as we have stated elsewhere, was the first at
Paw Paw, the pioneer resident practitioner of Wyoming was Geo. S.
Hunt. His professional services in this region began in the spring of
1844. His residence was at South Paw Paw and his practice extended
to every settlement within reach.

Henry Hudson and Jas. Goble Boardman were successors at South
Paw Paw. The latter is now making an enviable reputation at Brad-
ford.

At an early day came A. S. Mclntyre, whose services are remem-
bered. Dr. George Ryan deserves more than a passing notice. He

682 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

located in practice at Paw Paw in 1850, was admitted to the bar to
practice as an attorne}^ in 1858 ; in 1860 was elected by the republicans
of the count}' to represent them in the general assembl_y ; recruited
part of Co. K, 75th 111. Vols., in 1862, and was first colonel of that
regiment; in 1866 was again sent to the legislature by the republicans
of his county; in 1869 removed to Amboy, where he still resides.
W. T. Sherwood, Thos. Fish and M. H. Everett are remembered by
their many friends. Dr. Everett is now at Troy Grove, and is said to
be something of a naturalist. Practicing with Dr. Fish at East Paw
Paw in 1871 was a young man fresh from college, J. Oliver Stanton.
Born and brought up in Paw Paw, the only son of Elisha and Sarah
Stanton, a patriot soldier, a graduate at Rush Medical College in the
class of 1871, this young man of promise was cut down just as his am-
bitions anticipations were beginning to open up as realities. He lo-
cated at Dennison, Iowa, and died in October 1874, at Laramie City,
Wyoming Territory, where he had gone hoping for benefit from the
mountain air. James H. Braifet, Thomas D. Palmer and Thomas
Stetler are now the resident practitioners. So efficient are their ser-
vices that anyone from abroad is seldom, if ever, seen in this region.
Dr. Braff'et has practiced here and in the immediate vicinity since
1856. Dr. Palmer located here in 1867, and Dr. Stetler in 1876. Both
of the latter were in the drug business in Paw Paw for several years.

Jacob Wheeler, who came and settled here in 1848, bought from
George Town the tract of ground on which a part of the village is laid
out. In 1864 the remainder of the Town property was sold to the
Grummonds, and on this purchase the two Grummond additions were
platted.

The original survey of Paw Paw was defective and never recorded,
and the result was serious uncertainties and einbarassments in the mat-
ter of partition lines. Some years ago, before the construction of the
railroad, all persons having brought forward their deeds and consented
to abide by his work, William McMahan re-surveyed the plat and
established the rights of each.

By the tenth census the village had a population of 504. The
subjoined statements from two of the most sagacious business men of
Paw Paw form a fitting conclusion to this topic.

" The railroads coming here in 1872 was the prime cause of the
town's start to grow. The prices paid for butter and other products
of the farm have added materially to the growth of the town. Many
old settlers who have become a little forehanded have sold or rented
and moved here on account of the school and churches. We have a
very good school, Vidiich is presided over by three teachers; also three
churches in good condition, out of debt, and with strong membership.

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 683

Another reason which I give for the prosperity of the town is that we
are not cursed with many hard drinkers, having never, during the ten
years hist past, allowed intoxicating drinks of an}^ kind to be sold
within our borders, having learned that where saloons go up church
steeples must come down. The town has been self-sustaining, never
having been incorporated. We govern ourselves accordingly, without
selling fire-water to pay expenses incurred in running the town. These
are sufficient reasons why the town has met with such success."

"I would attribute the thrift and prosperity of this place to the ex-
cellent farming country by which it is surrounded, and more particu-
larly to the class of inhabitants, they being almost exclusively eastern
people."

AN AMERICAN ELEPHANT.

The following account of this animal, believed to be an American
elephant, is taken from the " Paw^ Paw Herald" of August 22, 1880:

" Mr. L. W. Bidwell, in the employ of George Lindsey, was exca-
vating a slough near Lindsey's residence, with the intention of making
an ice-pond to be overflowed in winter, when, at a depth of four feet, he
struck a peculiar soil, which it is supposed at one time constituted a
bed of quicksand. In removing this his shovel struck some hard sub-
stance, at the time considered a log of wood ; what was his surprise
when, as he pried, a large piece of hip-bone, thirteen inches across, was
first removed. This excited his curiosity, and another equally as large
a specimen was removed. With these he proceeded to interview Dr.
Bralfet on the importance of the 'find,' and what precaution to observe
in its removal. It was evidently a carcass of some mastodon, and the
doctor and Mr. Bidwell proceeded next morning to investigate. Mean-
time the news spread, and the inquisitive multitude began to flock to
the resurrection, and a dozen anxious hands were soon busily at work
removing the earth. The first portion removed was the upper joint of
the hind leg or hip-bone, which measured four feet four inches in
length and was found to be twenty-one inches in circumference at the
knee-pan, from there to the ankle-joint three feet two inches. The
foot was in such a state of decomposition that it could not be removed,
but was observed to be about ten or twelve inches high, resembling a
bear's foot, and twenty inches long. This would make the hind leg
eight to nine feet long. One of the legs was preserved by
splintering, and can be seen by calling on Mr. Bidwell. The back-
bone and ribs were uncovered and found to be of an enormous size,
some of the ribs measuring six inches in circumference. The head,
which was thrown in such a position as to show that the animal had
died in a struggle, was found to be nearly three feet in length ; the
lower jaw figured up twenty-six inches. In this were two huge

684 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

teeth, one measuring twent3'-one inches in circumference, and weiglicd
nine pounds, the other two inches smaller. The larger one is now in
Mr. Lindsey's possession. No upper teeth nor tusks were found. Then
came the upper part of the head with an eye-socket as lai'ge as a tea-
cup, and brains enough till a bushel basket. The balance of the mon-
ster only formed an outline for measurement, being so badly decom-
posed as to make it impossible to retain in good shape anything but
the fore legs, which were found to be a trifle longer than those before
described. Upon actual measurement, we are told its length is twenty-
two and a half feet, and in height would stand between fifteen and six-
teen feet, and was undoubtedly covered with a thin coat of liair, as
upon the skeleton were found streaks and mossy fibers. It is a matter
of conjecture to what species of the mastodon this prehistoric specimen
belongs, but it would have offered a valuable addition to the work of
scientists and zoologists if it could have been preserved as found."

These are the remains of an American elephant, and are more rare
than those of the mastodon. The monstrous animal, when living, had
evidently been mired in the quicksand bed of the slough. A better
idea of his immense size may be formed by comparison with large
animals of the present day. Elephants in Asia or Africa, where only
they are found now in native state, are about ten feet high, flftecn or
sixteen feet long, and weigh from three to five tons each, when full
grown. But the elephant whose bones were here exhumed, when he
roamed over these prairies, long ages ago, was twenty-two feet long,
and sixteen feet high, according to the estimates of Dr. M. II. Everett,
of Troy Grove, and his brother, who made a long and careful investi-
gation. The animal's foot was twenty inches long, and as large as a
kerosene barrel. When alive it probably fed chiefly on grass.

EAST PAW PAW.

William Rogers was the first settler and built the first house, which
was used for a hotel. The date of his arrival is not definitely known,
but it was not later, probably, than 1836. He was endowed with
great bodily strength, and had a fondness for gambling, which he grati-
fied without restraint. He obtained a large part of the Ogee reserva-
tion and sold it out piecemeal. From here he went to Dixon, was
proprietor of the Western Hotel some time, and finally drifted to Cali-
fornia. He was everywhere known, particularly on the river between
here and New Orleans, being a man of inuch energy and practical
experience. His reappearance in these parts recently is mentioned.
In 1877 John Wentworth and other old residents of Chicago got up a
banquet for Rogers. He died a year or two ago.

Charles Morgan, from Virginia, settled just west of here, on land

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 685

now owned by Mrs. Criswell, as early as 1836. His notable character-
istic was his great physical strength, he being accounted the most
powerful man in all this country. He lived here till about 1850.
One Mead, whose given name is lost, came in 1838, located in the
grove south of this village, and took a claim reaching to the county
line on the east, and to the Chicago road on the north, on which the
site of the town partly is. Job Alcott, who came in 1836, had his im-
provement adjoining Morgan on the east ; in a few years he sold to a
man named Mussulman, who built the Hollow House.

Bailey Breese emigrated from Morristown, New Jersey, in the fall
of 1840, bought a quartei-section next the county line, and north of the
Chicago road, from William Bogers, and the following summer, being
joined by his family, began to improve it. A part of the village was
afterward platted on his land, and his house, built where Mrs. Eliza-
beth Rosette lives, was the second on the site of East Paw Paw. At
a subsequent time, having $400 in ready cash, a tender of foi'ty acres of
land lying on Lake street, in Chicago, near the "Bull's Head" tavern,
where all the drovers put up in that day, was made him for this sum
of money. He got two weeks' refusal and came home. Bogers, want-
ing to sell, persuaded Breese to buy more land from him, and the
money was invested at East Paw Paw; showing how this dull little
village of to-day — at one time, by the way, a stirring, thriving place
— was once, and not many years ago, to be preferred to a city in many
respects now the most marvelous in the history of the world. Mr.
Breese was a cousin to Sidney Breese, once senator from this state,
and afterward member of the supreme bench. With a robust consti-
tution, not a gray hair, not a tooth missrng, and eyesight unimpaired,
he was a type of health. He was an active business man all his life,
and his public-spirited usefulness raised his character and memory high
in popular judgment. He died in 1859 at the ripe age of seventy-
seven.

Jacob Wirick came about 1842 or 1843 and bought out William
Rogers ; a tavern was on the place and he M-as landlord there awhile.
Later we find him living over the county line in the present southeast
quarter of the village. Wirick was converted to Mormonism in Ohio;
removed to Nauvoo, Illinois, and thence with his brethren of the faith
to Missouri, where, after successive removals and hardships, he became
dispossessed of most of his property, of which he had a competency.
To escape the wandering condition of his sect, and the persecutions
which chased it like avenging fate, he sought his individual fortune, as
many of the "saints" did, b}'- dispersing themselves in all directions,
and came to this place, where he became well off again, and died just
before the war.

686 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

. Wiram Gates arrived in 1845, bought out Meade, and lived where
Charles Pierce, who came the same year, now does. lie was a cele-
brated character, familiarly called "Bogus" Gates, from a kind of
money unknown to the law elsewhere than in its penal provisions.
Gates denied ever having handled counterfeit coin, but in the face of
people's observations his denial was a travesty on truth. He had been
a circus proprietor, and in such capacity became educated in the crook-
edness of the world. There is no doubt that he entertained and assisted
the numerous horse-thieves who regularly pursued their occupation.
Gates owned a good deal of property, at one time about 600 acres of
land, and people said if he had been honest he would have become
wealthy; but while setting traps for others, by a piece of sarcastic
justice he was himself trapped. Gates built finely, even lavishly, for
the time and place; lie had so many costly buildings that his home
M'as unsalable except at great sacrifice ; suddenly his fine Gothic
residence, erected at a cost of $3,000, burned down ; but he failed to
collect the insurance. He was also a tradesman in East Paw Paw, and
one of his notable operations was the bringing from New York of a
stock of goods selected and bought on credit for $12,000 by his son,
with the evident intention of defrauding the creditors. The plan did
not succeed. Before the arrival of the goods an agent waited on him
and required him, and another son who had means, to indorse for the
purchasing son. Failing to meet the obligation at maturity, his stock
was seized, he was broken up, and the career of " Bogus " Gates was
practically at an end in this part of the country.

Jacob "VVirick and Baile}^ Breese sold the first village lots, the former
owning east and the latter west of the county line. The first store, a
little west of here, was opened by Charles Howard in 1817; possibly
his brother George had an interest with him. At this period the nearest
trading points abroad were Dixon, Ottawa and La Salle. The Howard
stock of goods was afterward moved to "East Corners" (East Paw
Paw) and sold to Sherborn Gates. In 1849 S. B. Warren bought this
store and associated James Little with him as partner. Near the same
time Wirara Gates, and a tradesman named Davenport, also began
selling goods. A post-oftice was established in 1850, with Andrew
Breese as postmaster. The present incumbent is Henry Yan Riper.
About 1855 the Teachers' Institute and Classical Seminary was erected
with funds subscribed for the purpose. A union church has existed in
the place since 1868. The original pastors were the Rev, Layenbee,
Methodist, and the Rev. Breed, Congregationalist. Rev. Stover, of
the Methodist church, is ministering to the congregation at this time.
He preached in this section of country over thirty years ago. A man
of fine talent.

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 687

Once this was a point wliere a large trade was carried on ; but the
signs of activitj^, abundant years ago, have departed, and the town
gracefully accepts the tate with which the railroads have darkened its
experience. The school is an institution of acknowledged merit, whose
reputation is sufficient to maintain its thrift and usefulness.

Eleazer Darby Le Moyne, now living in the village, and for many
years formerly a traveling temperance lecturer, settled here prior to 1845.

Spartan Lodge, No. 272, I.O.O.F., was organized at East Paw Paw
March 31, 1859, by the deputy grand master, Lee, and worked under
dispensation until cliartered, October 9. The charter members and
first elective officers were H. P. Moore, N.G. ; B. B. Griffith, Y.G. ;
James Lansing, P.S. ; John Clark, T., and E. D. Wilcox. At the
date of organization Lanson Hubbell and William Rosette were ad-
mitted by card, and D. R. Fuller, John Patrick and John Mickly
were initiated. For a number of years the lodge was located on the
other side of the county line, but consent having been obtained it was
moved into Lee county. Its history, like that of most fraternal oi'gan-
izations, is checkered with trials; but it has done a beneficent work,
and is the veteran parent of five other lodges, namely : Shabbona, of
Earlville; Anchor, of Paw Paw; Fidelia, of Steward; Fertile, of
Shabbona, and Triumph, of Malugin's Grove. The first three are alive
and prosperously at work. Spartan lodge is in a flourishing condition,
with a membership of forty-one. The present elective officers are
George Firkins, N.G.; Elmer Day, Y.G. ; Nelson Morris, R.S. ; James
Ketchum, P.S. ; Oren Marble, T., and Benjamin Frantz, C.

SOUTH PAW PAW.

This hamlet is pleasantly situated on the county line at the south
side of Paw Paw Grove and lies partly in both counties. It contains
a school-house, Methodist church, 'creamery, cemetery, and about a
dozen private houses. The first settler here was John Ploss, in the
spring of 1835. Eber St. John bought his claim and then sold it to
Deacon Orlando Boardman, who arrived in 1840. Deacon Israel Hal-
lock came the same year, and has lived on his present homestead since
that lime. The former, now dead, was prominent in organizing the
Baptist society, and in erecting the church which once stood here, and
was afterward removed to Paw Paw. Ralph Atherton, originally from
Massachusetts, but later from Pennsylvania, came to this place in 1844,
and is still living here. He was a fancy craftsman of the awl and last,
and gladly received by the misses and others whose aspirations began
to demand something: more tasteful than " cowhides." Dr. Geoi"o;e

CD O

S. Hunt, the first regular physician at the grove and in Wj^oming
townshi]^ located here in practice in the spring of 1844. Deacon

688 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Daniel Pine, now in his ninety-fourth year, came in 18-15, and settled
on the Bacon farm. David R. Town, native of Waterbury, Vermont,
moved with his father, Russell Town, to Ohio at the age of five, and
in 1S35, when ten years old, came to Paw Paw Grove. He went from
here across the plains in the government service in the spring of 1848.
Timothy Goble came here is 1813 from the Wyoming valley, in Penn-
sylvania, where the rest of the family of that name had lived, and
located on the connt_yline where Mott Goble resides. For some years
he has been at this place. In 1847 the parents, Ezekiel and Margaret,
moved fi-om the cast, and have since died. Years ago a graded
school was here, at which many of the people now residing around
were educated, and of which they speak in most commendatory terms.
Edward Butterfield, the original settler of Wyoming township, and his
wife, Polly, are buried in the cemetery at this place. The Rev. Nor-
man Warriner, pioneer Baptist preacher, is also interred here.

As near as can be ascertained it was in the year 1838 when the
Rev. Caleb Morris, Nancy, Caleb and Isachar Robinson, Betsey and
Lydia Town, organized a Methodist class here, and named it the Paw
Paw class. Caleb Robinson was appointed leader and steward and
acted in these ca])acitics till 1858, when he moved away and was suc-
ceeded by Samuel A. Abbott. Although the number of paying mem-
bers for several years did not exceed five, yet it has had regular
preaching once in two weeks, and since 1878 every Sabbath. The
chui'ch edifice was erected in the year 1807. It is about 36x60, sur-
mounted by an eighty-foot spire, and is a neat and commodious house
of worship.

The South Paw Paw Union Sabbath-school was organized in the
school-house at that place in 1843, with C. M. Dickinson as superin-
tendent. When the Baptist chui'ch was moved to Paw Paw the school
was ti-ansferi'cd from that house to the Methodist.

Fi'iendsliip Grange, No. 143, was organized at South Paw Paw,
where it continues to hold its meetings, in April 1873. The charter
members were J. W. Chirk, F. B. Ilallock, G. Wirick, W. Campbell,
D. C. Iloag, II. Butterfield, II. Burch, B. J. AVarren,' D. Chapman, J.
G. Jones, Robert Hampton, W. P. Hampton, S. Butterfield, J. E.
Ketchum, and W. Atherton. Robert Hampton and D. C. Iloag were
the first master and secretary respectively. Present membership,
twenty-five.

Sunny side Lodge of Good Templars was instituted at South Paw
Paw in April 1877. Prominent members were Orlando Boardman
and wife, Mrs. Louisa Hunt, D. C. Iloag, Solomon Butterfield, Edward
Butterfield, Charles Ketchum, and Harry Warren. Augustus Ricker
was lodge deput3^ Meetings have not been held the present year.

^

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 691

On the petition of thirty-four legal voters and tax-payers of Wyo-
ming, John Harding, clerk of the township, issued a call for a special
town meeting, to be held September 22, 1869, to vote on the question
of the township's subscribing $50,000 to the capital stock of the Chi-
cago & Rock River Railroad Company. The conditions were that the
bonds, if authorized, should not be issued or draw interest or be deliv-
ered until the road should be completed through the township, and
eai's running over it ; that the road should be constructed within 100
rods of the main street of Paw Paw, and a depot located within the
same distance of the village, and that on the delivery of the bonds to
the company the township should receive in exchange a like amount
of stock. At the election 142 votes were cast in favor of the proposi-
tion to 62 against it.

The proposed termini were Calumet and Rock Falls, and the ad-
vantage to be secured was an independent line to connect with the
eastern trunk roads without entering Chicago to pay the arbitrary tolls
and exactions of the warehouse system. The road was not built ac-
cording to the representations made to the people ; instead of extend-
ing it to Calumet it was diverted to Shabbona, where a junction was
formed with the Chicago & Iowa railroad. The deflection in the
course was made at Paw Paw, to which point the line was finished
from the west on Wednesday, June 19, 1872, on which occasion the
citizens banqueted the contractor, Isaac Edwards, and his men in
hearty fashion. The route was at once leased to the Chicago, Burling-
ton & Quincy Railroad Company, and it now forms a part of their
extensive system.

The township officers at first hesitated to issue the bonds, but as it
was apparent that the conditions which the township had made had
been fully complied with, as attested by the record, they at length exe-
cuted the obligation. Fifty bonds of $1,000 each, to run ten years
from July 1, 1871, drawing interest at ten per cent, with the first cou-
pon detached, were delivered. The people were restive under the
injustice of which they were victims, and appealed to the courts to re-
strain collections on this outstanding debt, but without success. In
1880 judgment for two years' unpaid interest on $10,000 held in Cin-
cinnati, amounting to $8,400, was obtained against Wyoming. Upon
maturity of the old bonds the present year new ones to the amount of
$59,000, bearing six per cent interest, were sold to pay them off. In
placing this issue $510 above their face value was realized, being the
accrued interest and nearly one-half of one per cent premium. A plan
of gradual payment was provided for, and the principal and interest
fall due in the amounts and years following : 1882 — principal $500,
amount $4,040 ; 1883— principal $2,000, amount $5,510 ; 1884— prin-
41

692 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

cipal $2,000, amount $5,390 ; 1885— principal $2,000, amount $5,270 ;-
1886— principal $2,000, amount $5,150; 1887— principal $2,000,
amount $5,030; 1888— principal $2,500, amount $5,410; 1889—
principal $2,500, amount $5,260; 1890— principal $3,000, amount
$5,610; 1891— principal $3,000, amount $5,430; 1892— principal
$3,000, amount $5,250; 1893— principal $3,500, amount $5,570;
1894— principal $3,500, amount $5,360; 1895— principal $3,500,
amount $5,150 ; 1896 — principal $4,000, amount $5,410 ; 1897 —
principal $4,000, amount $5,200; 1898 — principal $4,000, amount
$4,960; 1899— principal $4,500, amount $5,220; 1900— principal
$4,500, amount $4,950; 1901— principal $3,000, amount $3,180.
Aggregate amount $102,380.

The Joliet, Rockt'ord & JSTorthern railroad, to be built by the Chi-
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, is under contract and
located between Paw Paw and Sheridan, intersecting the branch of
the latter road at the former place, and is to be extended from Paw
Paw both ways to Joliet and Rockford. Grading, just begun (Octo-
ber 1881) at Paw Paw, is to be rapidly completed between the
present termini.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

John Colvill, postmaster. Paw Paw Grove, is a native of Camp-
bellton, Argyleshire, Scotland. His father and brothers were iron
or hardware dealers, and at the age of twelve our subject showed such
ability for mathematics and accounts that he was placed in the count-
ing-room. A little before majority he emigrated with his brother-in-
law, John Smith, to this country, and for some years made his home
with that family. He made a claim of what is now the Smith Pulver
farm, on the north side of the grove, but without improving it sold to
Matthew Atchinson. For several years he and Jacob Rogers were
making shingles together, and when William H. Robinson started in
business for himself on Peru street Mr. Colvill became his clerk.
About this time, 1850, he took charge of the post-office, and continued
as deputy until the accession of President Lincoln, in 1861, when he
was appointed postmaster. When Mr. Robinson removed his store to
Earlville Mr. Colvill went with him to that place, and excepting his
two years' residence there he has been the incumbent of the post-office
of Paw Paw Grove since his lirst appointment. On his return he went
into trade in the old Robinson stand, and in 1875 sold out his business
to William Merrill & Co., but retained the post-office. In 1863 he
erected the Flagg & Baker clothing store, and in 1872 the Colvill
building. As a business man he has been among the most useful and
best respected in town. For many years he was almost the sole con-

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 693"

veyancer on whom the people relied to draft their papers when trans-
ferring property. At one time he was elected justice of the peace,
but being postmaster was ineligible. He has filled the office of town
clerk, and at different dates that of supervisor, and since 1863 that of
township treasurer ; and all his trusts have been discharged with fidelity
and satisfaction to the public. Mr, Colvill was accidentally deprived
of one eye while in the cradle, and the other has always been affected
with near-sightedness; but notwithstanding his defective sight he has-
been a prudent and extensive reader, and has stored his mind well
from the best current literature. On his table may be found the daily
newspaper, the serai-weekly New York " Tribune," two county papers,
and nearly half a dozen of the leading English magazines, ''Blackwood's"
receiving his preference. At the date of his return from Earlville,,
1854, he contracted marriage with the relict of William Thompson, ta
whom she was united in wedlock Kovember 2, 1840. Her husband
died in 1848, and James Thompson is the only surviving child. Her
maiden name was Nancy Harding, and she was born in Exeter, Lu-
zerne county, Pennsylvania. Her brothers, Lester and Isaac, are lead-
ing men of "Wyoming county, in that state, and the Hon. Garrard
Harding is president judge of Luzerne county. Mrs. Thompson set-
tled in Paw Paw in 1852, and taught school in this vicinity until her
second marriage. She was greatly respected for her success in this
profession, but not more than for her exalted virtues as a woman. The
ceremony of marriage between her and Mr. Colvill took place Septem-
ber 26, 1854. Like her husband she was a great lover of reading, and
in her he had a congenial and estimable companion, whose departure
to rest April 18, 1881, was a loss to kindred and friends which can
never more be supplied. Mr. Colvill's memory is a repository of early
history, upon which, with his kind permission, we have drawn with a
free hand.

William McMahan is the county surveyor and the supervisor of
Wyoming, and resides on his farm, Sec. 27. He was born January 17,.
1829, in Montour county, Pennsylvania. His father's name was Ben-
jamin, and his mother's Esther J. (Brearley). His grandfather was
with the brave Gen. Wayne in the army of the American revolution,,
and served through the whole of that war. William was educated at
Danville Academy, in his native county, and learned surveying. At
the early age of seventeen he taught school in Avinter, did satisfactory
work as a surveyor through the summer, and helped his father in farm-
ing the rest of the year. This course he followed till 1854, when he
came west and taught school at Franklin Grove. The next spring he
went to Minnesota, where for five years he was employed in surveying
for the government, by contract. Returning thence he married Sarah,

694 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

A., daughter of John Clark, of Trnrabull county, Ohio, and the follow-
ing spring thev emigrated to their present home in Wyoming. The
compass was laid away, and he gave his attention to farming, hoping
he would thus be allowed to enjoy life in the companionship of his
family. But competent surveyors were needed ; and when such men
could not be secured, in some cases, unskillful persons ran the lines
wrong and caused trouble. But it was found that when Mr. McMahan
could be induced to set the boundaries they were accurate and sure.
So much confidence came to be reposed in his ability tliat the owners
of different lands at Paw Paw Grove and the village united in select-
ing him to make anew the lines that had been doubtful, agreeing to
abide by his decision. The result was what they anticipated. Besides
Paw Paw, he laid out Compton, Carnahan, Brooklyn, Shaw, Walton,
and Hammon. Finally, in 1867, he was appointed the county sur-
veyor, and has been continued in that service ever since. During his
term as supervisor in 1869, at his suggestion, the county procured a
copy of the government Held notes, which contain the original surveys
of the whole county. This is kept at Dixon ; but Mr. McMahan has
made a duplicate copy of the work, and added to it the accumulated
surveys of Mr. Crawford and himself, so that this body of valuable
records are now conveniently accessible at his office. Five times he
has been elected supervisor, and seven times assessor. He has three
children living: Hattie E., John C. and William B. His J Sec. of
land is furnished with excellent buildings. One item of his crops in
1879 was 176 bushels of clover seed.

Deacon Iskael F. Hallock, farmer. La Clair, with his excellent
wife, are among the few who survive of those who settled in Wyoming
prior to 1841. Mr. Hallock is of the eighth generation from England,
the son of Joseph Hallock, an Orange county farmer, and was born
June 16, 1818. Leaving the Empire State in his seventeenth year, he
spent four years in Pennsylvania. Married Persis P. M. Boardman,
daughter of Deacon Orlando Boardman, in 1839. Li 1840 emigrated
to Illinois, and that fall bought the claim where David Thomas now
lives, on the south side of Paw Paw Grove. Next year he sold this
and took up a prairie claim one mile south of the grove, on the town-
ship line, where to-day, on the Earlville road, may be seen as fine a
grove as eye ever beheld. This grove is of hard and soft maple, partly
fringed with tamarack and cedar. Mr. Hallock set the hard maples
about 1850, and the soft about 1862. On this "Maple Grove Farm"
Mr. and Mrs. Hallock lived thirty-seven years. In 1879 he sold to his
son-in-law, Steven A. Tarr, and moved to the Boardman farm at
""South Side," where they now reside. Mrs. Hallock is one of the
thirteen who organized the Paw Paw Baptist church, in 1841. Mr.

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 695

Hallock was the second member received ; he united in 1842, and wa&
appointed deacon about 1850. They have two children, Mrs. Jane
E. Tarr, on " Maple Grove Farm," and William H., on a farm of his
father's in Stark county. When Mr. and Mrs. Hallock came as pio-
neers, they were six weeks and five days on the road, and besides the
few things brought in their one-horse wagon they had three dollars
left after buying a cow. Now, when forty-one years have elapsed, they
appear to be young in social joys and virtues, and blessed with an
abundance of whatever enters in to complete a successful life.

John Rosenbeeger, station agent of the Rock Falls branch of the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, was born at Hatfield, Mont-
gomery county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 18-16. His parents'
names were David and Elizabeth. His mother died when he wa&
quite young. His early education was limited to attendance at a com-
mon school six months in the year, but he made good use of that. At
the age of fourteen he became a clerk in a produce store in Philadel-
phia. Besides his service here, he assisted his father on his farm at
intervals, and before he was twenty-one had also learned cigar-making.
For several years afterward he worked at his trade in Michigan, Ohio
and Illinois. While residing at Aurora he improved his evenings to
learn telegraphing, and found this knowledge of great use afterward.
He then mastered the details of railroad accounts and management, so
far as he had opportunity, and was employed in railroad work in several
offices, gaining much valuable experience. January 13, 1873, he was
appointed to take charge of this station. In December of that year he
married Miss C. J. Yanhorn, of Paw Paw, formerly of I^orthumber-
land county, Pennsylvania. They have two children, Fay Wilson and
Georgie Floy.

Abner B. Olapp, farmer, lives east of Four-Mile Grove. He was
born at Northampton, Massachusetts, April 13, 1825. His father
was a farmer, and his grandfather, Simeon Clapp, was a soldier in the
revolutionary war. He was not fond of books, and regrets that he did
not study more when a boy. But he was early inured to hard work and
loved it. After he was twenty-one, having no capital, he labored five
seasons in a brick-yard in the warm weather, and in winter worked in
the timber ; believes he earned a dollar with the axe easier than in any
other way, for he was strong and tough. In 1850 he married Miss
Alcimena Hastings, of Westhampton. They emigrated to Wyoming
in the spring of 1854, and bought the eighty acres on which they now
reside. If they had had the money then $800 would have paid for
the farm ; but obliged to run in debt and pay ten per cent interest,.
the original cost was increased by interest to $2,400 before they could
call it their own. The hard work which these two persons did in the

696 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

first years they were here would seem incredible, were it not that the
facts cannot be doubted. AYorking for others in the day-time, and then
in his own field till midnight, in harvest season, and assisted by his
"wife, who was a true helpmeet, if the country had not been more
healthful than many other places they must have broken down. But
when the crops were taken to market prices received only paid the cost
of living while raising them and a few dollars over. Corn, shelled
and hauled to Mendota, eleven miles distant, brought 12 and 14 cents
a bushel. At length, discouraged, Mr. Clapp started for Pike's Peak,
hoping to obtain money enough to repay the loans from friends, and
his wife returned east to work awhile at her trade as a dress-maker.
Mr. Clapp drove 1,100 miles with an ox team, and then met numbers
returning who said there was no chance for a living westward. He
would have persevered, but his companions induced him to return.
He had thus traveled 2,200 miles. His wife met him at their Wyo-
ming home, and the two took up the battle of life with new courage.
He had seen so many worse off than they were that he would not
complain. Pluck and industry won, and prosperous times came. They
have one son, Lewis A.

HoN^. Obed W. Bkyant has a farm of nearly 600 acres at Four
Mile Grove, near Paw Paw, in Wyoming township. Here he has re-
sided for nearly forty years, famous, as a farmer, for his industry and
successful management ; tenderly beloved bj' an ever widening circle
of friends; esteemed by his neighbors far and near for strict integrity,
straightforward dealing, warm-hearted kindness, courage, prompt ac-
tion, and public spirit. He is of Scotch descent on his father's side, a
third cousin of the late William Cullen Brj-ant, the distinguished poet
and editor of ]^ew York, and inherits much of the good common-sense
grit and blunt ways of his sturdy ancestors. With few early advan-
tages from the common schools of sixty years ago, he is mainly a self-
educated man, and has creditably filled many varied positions of honor
and responsibility in the town and count}^, has been a frequent dele-
gate to conventions and often called to preside, and has represented
his district in the legislature. Obed Wilson Br^^ant was the son of
Micah. and Polly (Twichell) Bryant, and was born at New Yineyard,
Maine, March 9, 1815. His great-grandfather, Moses Twichell, was
killed at the battle of Bunker Hill ; his grandfather of the same name
was also in that battle, and served through the revolutionary war, as
did likewise his grandfather Bryant. His parents could not give Obed
much time to go to school, and very little mone}^ to start in life, but
we may be sure they taught him excellent habits ; and when, in 1837,
he emigrated from Maine to Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, he at
once found employment and kind friends. One family there, whose

WYOMiisra TOWNSHIP. 697

acquaintance he then made, befriended liim in many ways, and encour-
aged him to commence a course of stndy and reading which was faith-
fully followed in after years, and qualified him for the many places he
has been called to fill. It is worth while for boys to notice the reason
which induced this Princeton family to take such a kindly interest in
the young man who had come to them an entire stranger: it was
because they found that they " never had any work they wished him to
do but that ]:e was ready to do it and did it as well as he knew how."
In 1839 and 1840 depression of business caused Mr, Bryant to engage on
the public works. It was the hardest kind of labor, but •lie had great
strength and a tough constitution. Within a week he was placed in
charge of a gang of men in a quarry in the Peru Bluffs, and soon after
was promoted to a more responsible position. Here he was required
to keep a record in his books in cubic yards, and knew nothing of the
method ; but after the day's labor was over he set himself to learn,
and before he slept worked out the problem, unaided. Mr. Bryant
was married in 1840, to Lucy Lindsey, and in 1842 moved onto a farm
he had purchased, on which George Yenerick now lives, at Four-Mile
Grove. In 1843 his wife died, and to escape his sorrow he sold his
farm, and with another party engaged in buying flat-boats with car-
goes at points near the Red river, on the Mississippi, and selling them
at New Orleans. Returning the next spring Mr. Bryant bought a
farm near his present residence, but just over the line southward in
La Salle county, where he lived for several years. In 1844 he mar-
ried Sarah, sister of his former wife. At a later period he sold the
land he had bought at government price for S15 an acre, and in 1854
purchased the farm where he now lives. Mr. Bryant has taken an
active interest in public affairs. Besides serving in office in other
places, he has been elected county supervisor here six terms, often a
magistrate, and in 1865 was member of the legislature. Yet he pre-
fers to be known simply as a farmer, never seeking any other position.
^' If you wish me to serve you and are satisfied with my efforts, I shall
submit," he has often said when nominated for office, " but if 3^ou
would please me, leave me on my farm." He has done a good deal of
quiet christian work, preaching acceptably in churches and school-
houses and outlying neighborhoods, and giving largely in proportion
to his means to aid in building churches and endowing educational in-
stitutions, and has helped young men to enjoy at college the advan-
tages that were denied to him. Several of the students whom he has
helped have become ministers, one is a physician. While he will
protest against this brief tribute, which is made up chiefly from the
public records and the statements of fellow-citizens, less could not be
said in justice, and other facts of interest concerning him may be pre-

698 HISTOET OF LEE COUNTY.

sented in another connection in this work, as others had to do with
them. Mr. Bryant has seven children : Wilson C, Mrs. D. L. West,
Wm. Howard, Frank B., Emma M. (Blee), Eva C. (Lewis) and Chas. H.
DexVcon Daniel Pine, South Paw Paw (La Clair the post-office),
in the ninety-fourth year of his age and the thirty-sixth of his resi-
dence in the township of Wyoming, is a man of really remarkable his-
tory. He was born in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, December
21, 1787. His grandfather was an Italian and died in Italy, Subse-
quently due and legal notice was received by Daniel's ftither, Joseph
Pine, that a very valuable island was represented to belong to the
estate of the grandfather in Italy, with the request to prove up a claim
inside of ten years, else it would revert to the government. Dr. Alvin
Bristol, of Rochester, New York, the only heir with means sufficient
and competent for the work, went to Massachusetts, found the records
all straight and adequate, and w^as about to proceed when he sickened
and died. This put an end to the whole matter. Daniel's father was
a clothier. His generosity in becoming surety for others kept the family
poor. Of thirteen children Daniel is supposed to be the only survivor.
In 1803 the family moved to York state, and while passing through
the town of Arlington, Bennington county, Yermont, Daniel, a sprightly
and attractive boy six years old, attracted the attention of the landlord
of the tavern, named Baker. Baker says to Daniel's parents, " I like
the looks of this boy ; would like to have you leave him with me."
The parents being poor and having a number of children, could spare
this one, and left Daniel with Baker on trial for a few months. His
father returning and finding Daniel contented, he indentured him to
Baker till majority. Unfortunately the clause relating to the boy's
schooling was simply that he be taught "to read, write, and cipher,"
which proved altogether indefinite. Daniel's father fully intended the
boy should have at least three months' schooling for years, and took
Baker's word for it, and therefore did not submit it to writing. So in
the tavern, always wanted, summer and winter, the boy grew up,
devoid of even a rudimentary education, Baker promising well each
year for the next, but "next year" never came. At Daniel's majority
he came one hundred miles north to the town of Williston, where one
Horace Allen was teaching school. Daniel went to school to him, saw
his destitution ; his pride did not allow him to take the proper place
to obtain the needed primary instruction. In 1813 Daniel married
this Allen's sister, Luc}^ Allen, who, being an educated girl, became
to Daniel his spelling-book. Being quick of observation, as she told
him letters he memorized the orthography, until in a few years he was
able to do business quite well. So we find him saying to his printer
in 1878, " The diction is correct, but the spelling, I know, is not, and

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 699

I am unable to correct it; please do this for me." In the war of 1812
the subject of this sketch did service at the battle of Plattsburg, and
received a land warrant, the net avails of which was $300, and sixty-
six years later, in 1878, he commenced drawing a pension of $96 a
year by virtue of the recent act of congress. In 1815 he moved to
St. Lawrence county, ISTew York, where he resided till 1834, when he
moved again to Ohio, county of Madison ; thence, in 1845, came to Illi-
nois and settled at South Paw Paw on what is known as the " Bacon
Farm." In 1866 he sold there and moved to his present residence at
South Paw Paw. Mr. Pine has been a member of the Congregational
church over sixty years, and thirty-six years of that time a deacon in
that church, and in all this period his manner of life has been above
reproach. He was a whig at first, and about 1846 identified himself
strongly with the abolitionist party, then with the republican party,
and for years has advocated strongly the legal prohibition ticket as the
only remedy for drunkenness. He has everywhere been active in the
cause of temperance, and his life has ever conformed to his teaching as
an advocate of temperance and righteousness and true holiness of heart
and life. Mr. Pine's natural constitution has been remarkable ; his
general health now is as good as ever. Last year he planted and
tended a half acre of corn, hoeing it three times, and he says, " Oh, yes ;
what a fine crop I had ! " Samples of that corn and those potatoes
have gone to numerous friends in other states. His strength has ever
been beyond his weight. His height is about five feet eleven inches,
and he never weighed over one hundred and sixty-five. He was an
adept at wa-estling. One incident may be worthy of record : When
about eighteen he went into a ring of wrestlers on training day and
floored thirteen, every one of whom were older and heavier than him-
self, and was not thrown at all. When twenty-two, at Williston, at a
similar game, he floored the champion wrestler of the state on each of
the three holds. His faithful wife walked with him over sixty years.
They had eleven children, eight still living, each and all of whom are
active in difi'erent churches. They are Mrs. Perry Stowe, Mrs. Syl-
vester Carter, Mrs. David P. Town, Mrs. E. K. Whitemore, Julia,
Horace, Daniel, and N^athan A. At the ninetieth anniversary of Mr.
Pine's birthday his five daughters all came and gladdened their father's
heart by a munificent gift, which he fully appreciates. Deacon Pine
is to this dnj a remarkably fine penman. His correspondence is very
large. His diction is easy and expressive. In 1858, at the solicitation
of friends, he wrote the history of his religious life, which was pub-
lished in Utica, New York, and in 1878 he wrote and published a
small pamphlet of a religious character.

John Edwards resides at East Paw Paw. For six terms he was

698 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

sented in another connection in this work, as others had to do with
them. Mr. Bryant has seven children : Wilson C, Mrs. D. L. West,
Wni. Howard, Frank B., Emma M. (Blee), Eva C. (Lewis) and Chas. H.
Deacon Daniel Fine, South Paw Paw (La Clair the post-office),
in the ninety-fourth year of his age and the thirty-sixth of his resi-
dence in the township of Wyoming, is a man of really remarkable his-
tory. He was born in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, December
21, 1787. His grandfather was an Italian and died in Italy. Subse-
quently due and legal notice was received by Daniel's father, Joseph
Pine, that a very valuable island was represented to belong to the
estate of the grandfather in Italy, with the request to prove up a claim
inside of ten years, else it would revert to the government. Dr. x\lvin
Bristol, of Rochester, New York, the only heir with means sufficient
and competent for the work, went to Massachusetts, found the records
all straight and adequate, and was about to proceed when he sickened
and died. This put an end to the whole matter. Daniel's father was
a clothier. His generosity in becoming surety for others kept the family
poor. Of thirteen children Daniel is supposed to be the only survivor.
In 1803 the family moved to York state, and while passing through
the town of Arlington, Bennington county, Yermont, Daniel, a sprightly
and attractive boy six years old, attracted the attention of the landlord
of the tavern, named Baker. Baker says to Daniel's parents, " I like
the looks of this boy ; would like to have you leave him with me."
The parents being poor and having a number of children, could spare
this one, and left Daniel with Baker on trial for a few months. His
father returning and finding Daniel contented, he indentured him to
Baker till majority. Unfortunately the clause relating to the boy's
schooling was simply that he be taught " to read, write, and cipher,"
which proved altogether indefinite. Daniel's father fully intended the
boy should have at least three months' schooling for years, and took
Baker's word for it, and therefore did not submit it to writing. So in
the tavern, always wanted, summer and winter, the boy grew up,
devoid of even a rudimentary education, Baker promising well each
year for the next, but "next year" never came. At Daniel's majority
he came one hundred miles north to the town of Williston, where one
Horace Allen was teaching school. Daniel went to school to him, saw
his destitution ; his pride did not allow him to take the proper place
to obtain the needed primary instruction. In 1813 Daniel married
this Allen's sister, Lucy Allen, wdio, being an educated girl, became
to Daniel his spelling-book. Being quick of observation, as she told
him letters he memorized the orthography, until in a few years he was
able to do business quite well. So we find him saying to his printer
in 1878, "The diction is correct, but the spelling, I know, is not, and

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 699

I am unable to correct it ; please do this for me." In the war of 1812
the subject of this sketch did service at the battle of Plattsburg, and
received a land warrant, the net avails of which was $300, and sixty-
six years later, in 1878, he commenced drawing a pension of $96 a
year by virtue of the recent act of congress. In 1815 he moved to
St. Lawrence county, New York, where he resided till 183i, when he
moved again to Ohio, county of Madison ; thence, in 1845, came to Illi-
nois and settled at South Paw Paw on what is known as the "Bacon
Farm." In 1866 he sold there and moved to his present residence at
South Paw Paw. Mr. Pine has been a member of the Congregational
church over sixty years, and thirty-six years of that time a deacon in
that church, and in all this period his manner of life has been above
reproach. He was a whig at first, and about 1846 identified himself
strongly with the abolitionist party, then with the republican party,
and for years has advocated strongly the legal prohibition ticket as the
only remedy for drunkenness. He has everywhere been active in the
cause of temperance, and his life has ever conformed to his teaching as
an advocate of temperance and righteousness and true holiness of heart
and life. Mr. Pine's natural constitution has been remarkable ; his
general health now is as good as ever. Last year he planted and
tended a half acre of corn, hoeing it three times, and he says, " Oh, yes ;
what a line crop I had ! " Samples of that corn and those potatoes
have gone to numerous friends in other states. His strength has ever
been beyond his weight. His height is about five feet eleven inches,
and he never weighed over one hundred and sixty-five. He was an
adept at wa-estling. One incident may be worthy of record : When
about eighteen he went into a ring of wrestlers on training day and
floored thirteen, every one of whom were older and heavier than him-
self, and was not thrown at all. When twenty-two, at Williston, at a
similar game, he floored the champion wrestler of the state on each of
the three holds. His faithful wife walked with him over sixty years.
They had eleven children, eight still living, each and all of whom are
active in different churches. They are Mrs. Perry Stowe, Mrs. Syl-
vester Carter, Mrs. David P. Town, Mrs. E. K. Whitemore, Julia,
Horace, Daniel, and ISTathan A. At the ninetieth anniversary of Mr.
Pine's birthday his five daughters all came and gladdened their father's
heart by a munificent gift, which he fully appreciates. Deacon Pine
is to this day a remarkably fine penman. His correspondence is very
large. His diction is easy and expressive. In 1858, at the solicitation
of friends, he wrote the history of his religious life, which was pub-
lished in Utica, New York, and in 1878 he wrote and published a
small pamphlet of a religious character.

John Edw'Ards resides at East Paw Paw. For six terms he was

700 , HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

elected supervisor of Wjomiiig, and lias served nineteen years as com-
missioner of highways here. He was born in the parish of Locherly,
county of Hampshire, England, ^November 21, 1821. His parents'
names were William and Phebe. They were poor, and labored upon
a farm. His school privileges were quite limited. In 1837 he sailed
for the island of Barbadoes, in the West Indies, where he was two years
in the service of the British government, in the navy yard, and taking
care of naval stores. Thence he went to Canada, where he was still
employed by the government, at Montreal and Quebec. A year and a
half later he came to Syracuse, New York, worked in the county, and in
the spring of 1846 enlisted in the United States army, 5th Inf. His
regiment joined Gen. Worth's division, under Gen. Scott, at Yera Cruz,
in the Mexican war, and was in all the engagements that followed to
the capture of the city of Mexico. A ball from a sharpshooter took
off liis forefinger here. Each man wounded in entering the capital
was presented by Gen. Scott with $10 from his own purse. Mr.
Edwai'ds received his discharge February 22, 1848, with a pension cer-
tificate for §96 a year, and a land warrant. The latter he soon after
located in Wyoming, on Sec 6, In September, 1848, he married Eliza
Ann, daughter of Henry Merwine, of East Paw Paw. They have three
children. Mr. Edwards is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and a worker in the Sunday-school.

Almerson Potter, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, was born October 5,
1847, in Wayne county, Pennsylvania. When he was nine years old
he came with his parents, Lester and Miranda (Andrews) Potter, to
Paw Paw Grove. At- the age of twenty-three he began farming near
Twin Groves, and on January 27, 1870, married Miss Mary E. Bisp-
ham, daughter of William Bispham, of Wyoming township. In the
autumn of 1872 he moved to his father's farm, in Sec. 8 of the same
township, where he still remains. They have live children : AYilliam
Lester, Henry Floyd, Jerusha, Clara, and Effie.

Elisha a. Stanton (deceased) was born in Exeter, Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania, May 28, 1821, brought up a farmer's boy, given good
advantages at Harford Academy, and became a successful teacher.
February 21, 1845, he was married to Sarah Oliver, of the same place,
and on the following May-day set out on their wedding tour, it being
no loss than a thirty-day journey with their own conveyance to Illinois.
Stopping a few days at Harding, they arrived at Paw Paw Grove June
16. Mr, Stanton entered land located about a mile west of Paw Paw,
and in due time received the deed from the government. This land
never changed ownership till 1875. Mr. Stanton died in 1855. Their
only son, J. Oliver Stanton, was in the war of the rebellion, under the
last call, graduated at Posh Medical College in the class of 1871,

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 701

was with Dr. Fish some six months at East Paw Paw in the practice
of medicine, and then located at Dennison, Crawford county, Iowa;
but his health giving way, he went to the mountains in July 1874, and
died at Laramie City, Wyoming Territory, the following October. His
two orphan children are with his mother, also his sister Hattie, the
only surviving child of the subject of this sketch, their residence being
in the village of Paw Paw.

Jesse Beemer, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, son of Henry and Mary
(Spandinberg) Beemer, was born in Sussex county, New York, in
March 1814. In the spring of 1820, a date which Mr. Beemer re-
members with great distinctness owing to the surprising number of
rattlesnakes he saw, removed and settled in Luzerne county, Pennsyl-
vania. In the backwoods schools of that period the privileges for
education were of the slimmest character, but such as they were, Mr.
Beemer improved them. He bought and improved a 100-acre farm.
October 14, 1838, he was married to Hannah, daughter of John W.
Yananken. She was born in 'New Jersey, June 8, 1821. Mr. Beemer
emigrated to Illinois in the fall of 1847, and the next spring purchased
his present farm, on Sec. 6, in this township. The land he bought
was raw prairie, and the whole country was very wild, and on his way
from Peru by way of Four-Mile Grove, to his purchase, he was fol-
lowed most of the time by wolves. Mr. Beemer is an earnest repub-
lican, and during the late war had three sons in the Union army.
George was a volunteer in Co. K, 75th 111. reg., and was severely
wounded in the battle of Perryville. The other sons entered the
service in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Beemer have been the parents of twelve
children, nine of whom are living. Of these seven are married. Two
live in Iowa, two in Nebraska, and all the others in Lee county.

Francis M. Case, farmer and stock raiser, Earlville, Illinois, was a
native of Pennsylvania, born in Wyoming county February 15, 1839.
His father was Chauncy Case, and his mother's maiden name Mary E.
Roberts. In 1845 they emigrated to Lee county, Illinois, and next
year took up the claim now owned and occupied by the subject of this
sketch. This is the S.E. ^ Sec. 35. It will be observed by the reader that
a prairie claim two miles away from any timber at that early day was a
thing almost unheard of, and indicates quite clearly that the claimant
was one w^ho did his own thinking, regardless of the common opinion,
and when we come to consider the value he placed upon an education,
as seen in the advantages and attainments of his children, this view of
him as an independent thinker w^ill be confirmed. Francis attended
school successively at South Paw Paw, East Paw Paw, Lee Centre, and
Clark's Seminary at Aurora. He then taught several seasons, and was
oiFered the position of principal of the Batavia Academy, which ill

702 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

health compelled him to decline. A sister, Hattie, is one of the finest
scholars in the state, having a state certificate ; a brother graduated at
Normal, also at Ann Arbor, and is now a probate judge in Kansas.
As patriotism and intelligence are^ closely allied, we are not surprised
to find the subject of our sketch responding to his country's call. In
1862 he enlisted in Co. K, 75th reg. 111. Inf ; w^as wounded in the ter-
rible encounter at Perryville, and on account of this wound was
discharged in 1863. In 1867 he bought the home farm, built his fine
two-story house, and was married October 10 of that year to Cynthia
J. Clark, daughter of John Clark, of Ogle county. Three children
bless their union : Stella, Harr}" and Charlie. On his excellent farm are
superior buildings, with orchards, hedges and shade-trees to corre-
spond. Mr. Case has always voted for the successful candidate for
president. He and his wife are both members of the Paw Paw Bap-
tist church.

William M. Strader, a portrait of whom is given in this work,
and a leading farmer of Wyoming township, was born in Sussex
county, JSTew Jersey, August 18, 1824. His parents, Henry and Rachel
(Moore) Strader, were in good circumstances, and when he was five
years old they removed to the present county of Wyoming, in Penn-
sylvania, where they continued their occupation of tilling the soil. He
made the most of the advantages for education afforded by the district
schools near his home ; and after, a residence of twenty years in that
place he emigrated to this township in May 1848, and entered the JST.
W. ^ Sec. 6. He completed an unfinished log house, broke and
fenced his land, and purchased 120 acres more on Sec. 31, in Willow
Creek. His marriage to Miss Sarali A. Post, daughter of J. D. Post,
of Lee Centre, and sister to Elder William H. Post, was celebrated
February 22, 1852. Accompanied by his bride he immediately after
started to cross the plains to California, The company, of whom Will-
iam Hopkins, of Temperance Hill, was the captain, had seven wagons
drawn by oxen, and a few saddle-horses. Seven women and about
twenty-one men composed the party. After waiting three weeks at
Iowa City for the grass to start they set out on their long and toilsome
journey of six months. At this time there was a stretch of seventy-five
miles between Iowa City and Council Bluffs unbroken by sign of
human habitation, Shasta, California, was the terminus of the stage
route, and that place was reached September 26. Mr. Strader located
on Trinity river, in Trinity county, where he had a ranch on which
he built a good house and barn, and at which point he operated a ferry,
ahvays known by his own name. His house was the polling-place for
that section of country, which was named " Strader's Precinct." In the
fall of 1853 he disposed of his property, and in the latter part of Jan-

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 703

uarj took the stage for Marysville, en route for " the States." At that
place, on the 27th, he took passage for Sacramento on the steamer
Pearl, carrying 122 persons, including the crew. At this time there
was great rivahy for business and the fare had fallen from $5 to 50
cents. Between this and another boat which left at the same time
there was a race the whole way. When nearing the wharf at Sacra-
mento city, and not more than twent}^ rods from the landing, the Pearl
exploded her boilers, injuring all on board except eight. Mr. Strader,
wife and child bappening to be at that moment in the wash-room,
escaped scalding, and were rescued before that end of the boat went
down. The passage from San Francisco to Panama lasted fifteen days.
This city, though having one of the finest roadsteads in the world, had
no wharf, and the boats which came out three miles to the steamer at
a signal from a gun, to land the passengers, could not, owing to the
tide being out, reach the shore with their prows, and stranded. The
passengers had paid $2 apiece to be put ashore, but were now required
to "come down " with a dollar more to be carried out on men's backs.
Mr. Strader was not a light weight, as he found when his transporter
fell headlong with him in the water and left him to get out at his own
pleasure. Crossing the isthmus, a distance of forty-eight miles, over
the Panama railroad, a crooked, rickety concern, they reached Aspin-
wall, after six hours' travel, but on arrival were detained on the cars
the greater part of a day, waiting for the specie boat, which was de-
layed outside the harbor by the ebbing tide. From New York they
proceeded to Philadelphia, thence to Chicago, and reached Paw Paw
Grove March 25. Mr. Strader bought his homestead from Russell
Town the same season. Mrs. Strader had a second narrow escape from
disaster at the fall of the Dixon bridge. May 4, 1873, having just
crossed before the fatal accident. These parents have had six children:
George C, born in California, died at the age of nineteen ; John, who
died in his ninth year; Mary A., who died in her eighteenth year;
Willis, Edward J. and Harry G. Mr. and Mrs. Strader are both
members of the Paw Paw Baptist church, to which they have belonged
the last seventeen years. Their deceased daughter was a young lady
of unusual personal beauty, bright intellectual promise, and great ex-
cellence of soul. Of her the Rev. H. R. Hicks, her pastor, said : " She
had added to her natural charms, that pearl of great price that most
gracefull}^ adorned her remaining life." Mr. Strader is a man of cheer-
ful and charitable disposition, well known and thoroughly respected.
Under his roof are found hospitality and goodly comfort, due not more
to his large-heartedness than to the smile, and skill, and tender care of
his estimable wife. Mr. Strader recently lost a favorite nephew, who
once lived with him, by a distressing accident on the Marietta &

704 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Northern Georgia railroad, on which he was an engineer. The Ma-
rietta "Journal," in the course of an article extolling his character and
heroic conduct, thus speaks of the manner in which he bravely met
his death : " We say bravely, but we might say heroically, for we have
been told that he said that he saw danger caused by a broken cross-tie,
and could have jumped off and saved himself, but he knew the pas-
sengers would be killed, so he stood to his post, reversed his engine,
and went down the embankment and was immersed in scalding water.
Walking up to the crowd, he asked ' Is any one killed ?' he was told
'JSTo.' ' Thank God !' he exclaimed. Then with perfect coolness he
said, 'I am scalded from head to foot!' although not a quiver of the
lip was exhibited and not an expression of pain, yet strips of skin had
peeled off of his hands, arms, legs and back. Such nerve is seldom
met with. And thus he met death heroicalh^, and lost his own life to
save othei-s. He was a young man of fine physique, splendid mental
endowments, a skillful macliinist, honorable and just in all his dealings,
punctual in keeping his promises, and gentlemanly in his deportment.
Pie was past grand of Cherokee Lodge, a Mason, and a worthj^ citizen.
Although he came to our city a perfect stranger, he made many true,
warm-hearted friends, and was esteemed by our entire people. His
sudden and shocking death is deeply regretted."

JoHx Baker, farmer, stock raiser and dairyman, Paw Paw Grove,
was born in Jersey county, Illinois, October 14, 1846. At an early
age his parents, Ira and Sarah Baker, brought him to Wyoming town-
ship, where they settled and have since made their residence. This
subject obtained a fair education in the district schools, and on Feb-
ruary 7, 1872, married Miss Hannah E. Hunt, only child of Dr. George
S. Hunt, the first regular practitioner in the to\vnship. In the fall he
went to Neosho Falls, Kansas, with a view of purchasing there, but
returned tlie following spring. Next autumn he moved to the Hunt
farm, where he now resides. Purchases by him have enlarged the
homestead to 360 acres. His barn, nearly new, 30x80, was built in
1879; his other buildings, including a good granary, are large and
commodious. His farm is well stocked with implements, neatly culti-
vated, and in his herd are about 110 head of cattle and horses. Louis
Ward and Arthur James are their only children. Mr. Baker is a
member of the Corinthian Lodge, No. 205, A.F. and A.M.

Francis E. Rogers, farmer and dairjnnan. Paw Paw Grove, was
born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1840. He was the
youngest son of Elihu and Bersheba (Styles) Rogers. The lineage of
this family is traced directly back to that grand martyr to principle,
John Rogers, who was hound at the stake. Jacob D. Rogers, who
came to this town in 1837, was a brother to Elihu. The subject of this

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 705

sketch has a fair education and has taught four years in this township.
On March 4, 1865, he enlisted for one year in Co. G, 15th IlL Inf., and
marched from Raleigh to Richmond. On the th.ree-hundred-mile march
from Leavenworth to Fort Kearney and back he drove a team of six lit-
tle yellow Spanish mules, that were just like wild cats. They had to
be choked down and chained before it was possible to harness them.
An officer looking on remarked, " Rogers, you are the only man who
can handle mules without swearing." To hitch the tugs he was
compelled to lie flat down and let their heels fly over his head. These
were wild mustang mules, lassoed, choked down, and hitched up.
His experiences with them were decidedly rich. On April 27, 1866,
he married ISTancy Barratt, daughter of John A. and Rachel E. (Clark)
Barratt. To gratify his father's wish he remained on the home-place,
where the latter died in 1873. Their three children. Belle, Frank, and
Mary E., are all minors. The large cottonwood in the rear of the
house is ten and a half feet in circumference. It was the only living
shrub on the place when his father came, and was left by the cradler
the season before, it being just above the grain. Mr. Rogers is a stal-
wart republican in politics, and past grand of Anchor Lodge, No.
510, I.O.O.F., and secretary of the "Wyoming Horse-Thief Protective
Association.

AvEKY Mereiman, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, was born in Geauga
connty, Ohio, February 2, 1846. His father, born in Pennsylvania in
1812, came to Illinois in 1846, and settled flrst at Shabbona Grove, and
two years later at Paw Paw. A carpenter by trade, he followed the
same till he went to Nebraska, in 1875, where he died in 1878. His
father was married in 1839, to Mary French ; his mother, who died in
1863, leaving five children. When tlie family moved from Shabbona
Grove Avery was but three years old, and remembers seeing Indians
who lived about forty rods from his father's place. In 1864 he en-
listed in Co. K, 75th 111. Inf., and served till the close of the war.
This command was flrst in action at Perryville, and next at Stone
River ; it fought at Chickamauga, served during the Atlanta campaign,
resisted Hood's invasion of Tennessee, and bore a part in the battle of
Nashville and the pursuit of his demoralized forces into Alabama. An
elder brother of the subject of our sketch was killed at Stone River.
On December 23, 1868, Mr. Merriman was married to Josephine Pot-
ter, daughter of Lester and Miranda Potter, and came to his present
farm in the spring of 1869. They have a happy family of five children r
Albert, Levancha, Josie Ellis, Alice Pearl, and Charlie. Mr. Merri-
num is liberal in politics, and a genial and intelligent man.

xVndreW' May, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, is a son of Peter and
Catharine May, who came to Paw Paw, as elsewhere stated, in 1841.

706 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Little did his father think at that early day, when he owned the claim
for the site of nearly all of the present Paw Paw, that the day would
come in his son's time when a single lot of that land would bring
nearly a thousand dollars. Andrew was born in Sussex county, ISTew
York, May 28, 1834, and when seven years of age came to Paw Paw
with his parents, and in 1846 went with them to their new farm at
Malugin's Grove. At twentj^-three years of age, in March 1857, An-
drew started for himself, without a cent of capital, in Viola township,
by bujnng eighty acres raw prairie, all on credit, being allowed six years'
time with interest at ten per cent ; went on it the following spring
and improved and worked it until June 1865, when he sold it for
thirty-five dollars an acre. In March, 1869, he bought 152 acres in
Wyoming township, Sees. 6 and 7, and by hard work and patient indus-
trj^ has acquired a clear title to this farm and also improved it to some
extent. It is now worth $7,500. He has also on hand a good stock of
cattle, horses, and sheep. So much for industry. He has five children:
Thomas, Margaret, John, Edward, and Theodore, all at home. His
youngest brother, Martin H., was born in Paw Paw and died in
Andersonville prison in 1862.

LowREx Sprague, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, was born in Barn-
ston, Lower Canada, August 21, 1828. His parents, Josiah and
Fanny (Stowell) Sprague, with seven children, came to Paw Paw
Grove in the spring of 1841. They rented land of William H. Rob-
inson, now of Earl, and took up the claim adjoining it on the west,
now owned and occupied by their son Lowren. Josiah Sprague was
a veteran of 1812, a, hard-working, straightforward, upright man.
He lived to be eighty-two and had thirteen children. As Lowren was
in his thirteenth year when the family came to Paw Paw Grove, his
school experience is too interesting to omit. Of course he only went
winters. His first teacher was one Adams, who wielded the birch
and rule in a log cabin some twenty rods east of David A. Town's.
His second school was taught by Robert Walker in the same cabin ;
his third by Willard Hastings in his own house at Fonda's corner;
his fourth by one Basswood, in a log cabin where the old Wheeler
house now stands ; his fifth at Deacon O. Boardman's, in a frame
school-house, 18x20, bnilt where William Mayor's house now stands
at South Side. In the spring of 1852 the subject of our sketch was one
of eight or ten who went with Jacob Wheeler to California, Wheeler
furnishing the team, — consisting of oxen and cows, — the rice and
hard-tack, and charging each passenger $100. Sprague was there
about nine years. After his return he was married to Evaline Bowen,
daughter of Daniel Bowen, December 10, 1865. He has a good farm
yielding the best of crops. They have six children, two boys and
four crirls.

^

^

WYo:\ii]srG TOWNSHIP. 709

Deacon Isaac E. Hunt, farmer and stock raiser, Paw Paw Gi'ove,
was a native of Indiana, born in Union count}', November 11, 1819 ;
a son of William H. and Elizabeth (Esteb) Hunt. His parents being
in moderate circumstances, and with a quarter-section in the woods to
clear and till, the boy's schooling was naturally limited, at an eai"ly age,
to the winter seasons. About 1836 his father bought a tract of wild
prairie in La Porte county. Thither the family moved, built a log
house, and here Isaac worked till he was twenty-three, when he pur-
chased a farm for himself in the same county. On February 20, 1844,
he was married to Miss Eliza A. Patterson, of La Porte, Indiana, In
the fall of 1852 he moved to Illinois, and bought the farm that he
still owns and occupies, about one mile south of Paw Paw Grove,
His wife died March 31, 1858, leaving three sons: George, William,
and James. March 10, 1859, he was again married, to Ann Eliza
McBride, daughter of Frederick McBride, of Wyoming township. The
children by his second wife are four: Martha E., Fred P., Mary E.
and Milton K. In April, 1864, George fell from a stack and was
paralyzed. He lingered along till August 1, when he passed away ;
Mary died June 3, 1878; William is a farmer in Nebraska; the
other children are all at home. Deacon Hunt united with the Bap-
tist church in his twentieth year, and was appointed deacon of Paw
Paw Baptist church in 1859. He was a Henry Clay whig, is no\v a
republican, and believes in home manufactures. He has served as
commissioner of higlnvays, and several years as trustee of schools, and
has always been ready to bear his part in the support of educational
and religious institutions.

Dr. James H. Braffet, physician and surgeon, born in Florida,
Orange county. New York, October 16, 1834, eldest of three children
of James and Mellissa A. (Firman) Braffet, now residing in Compton,
Illinois. He attended school at Chester Academy under Deacon Bros.,
late of the Chicago "Tribune," and his successor. Rev. Phineas Robin-
son, as principals, completing a scientific course as also one in civil
engineering. He studied there with a view to a course at West Point,
passed the required examination and received the requisite creden-
tials; but at this point he concluded to pursue the study of medicine,
which he began in 1853. In 1855 he came to Illinois and located at
East Paw Paw, Here he followed surveying a year, then went into
the practice of medicine, wdiich he pursued until the session of 1860 and
1861, when he entered the Rush Medical College, Chicago. After this
he was constantly in practice till the session of 1868 and 1869, when
he entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York city,
where he completed his college course. In 1868 he became a member
of the Medico-Pathological Societj', in 1878 a -member of the North
42

710 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Central Medical Association of Illinois, in 1879 of the Illinois State
Medical Society, in 1880 of the American Medical Association. In tlie
fall of 1860 he was married to Ellen S. Billings, of Shabbona, De Kalb
county, Illinois, and daughter of Jas. M. Billings, now residing at
Downsville, Dunn county, Wisconsin. Before leaving the east he was
for five years a member of the Caliopean Literary Society, and for sev-
eral years has been an honorary member of the Athenteum Literar}'-
Society, connected with the Classical Seminary of East Paw Paw. He
has seven children : Nellie N., John J., Charles C, Mark M., James
H., jr., Willie, and Essie.

Thomas D. Palmer, physician and surgeon. Paw Paw Grove, was
born August 15, 1846, and the only son of George and Catharine
(Stetler) Palmer, of Dixon, Lee county, Illinois. He was educated at
the Mt. Carroll and Dixon seminaries. During his seminary course
he employed his vacations in the office of Drs. Hewitt and Spigler, at
Franklin Grove, and in January, 1861, entered this office peruianently
as a regular student. At the session of 1865 and 1866 he entered the
Chicago Medical College, and, graduating at the following session, re-
ceived his diploma in the spring of 1867. In June of that year he
came to Paw Paw, where he engaged in the practice of medicine.
January 6, 1869, he was married to Mary E. Detamore, a true lady
and daughter of Mrs. Susan P. Detamore, of that place. In the fall of
1872, at the completion of the raili'oad, in company with T. II. Stetler,
he opened the first drug store of the village; Dr. Palmer continued
in it about eight months and then sold to W. C. Runyan, the firm then
being Stetler and Runyan. In the spring of 1877 he, in company
with Dr. Stetler, opened the Palace Drug Store, now owned by Pierce
and Barringer. He is now in his eighth year as Worshipful Master of
Corinthian Lodge, No. 205, A.F. and A.M. He is also charter member
of Rochelle Chapter, No. 158, was exalted to the degree of Poyal Arch
Mason, August 15, 1873, created a Sir Knight of Bethany Command-
ery. No. 28, March 6. 1874, received the thirty-second degree at the
Chicago Consistory, October 15, 1875, and at the Grand Conclave of
the Knights of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine, convened in
Chicago October 24, 1881, was elected Grand Junior General. With
like enthusiasm in his profession Dr. Palmer is now taking a course
of lectures at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.

Andrew H. Rosenkrai^s, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, son of Abrani
and Lydia (Henry) Rosenkrans, was born in New York, March 10,
1835. His grandfather Rosenkrans was a soldier of 1812, Before he
was able to remember his parents removed to New Jersey, where his
mother died when he was four or five years old. He was raised on a
tarm until eighteen or^nineteen years of age, when he began learning

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 711

the carpenter'* trade, and worked at it as a business up to 1859. The
residence of the family in New Jersey was of short duration. They
went from there to Pennsylvania and lived about a dozen years, when
he came west to Wyoming township, and was followed a little more
than a year afterward by the others. Mr. Hosenkrans' arrival here
was in 1853. In 1859 he started with^a party, driving ox teams, for
Pike's Peak ; but meeting many returning from there who gave dis-
couraging accounts of the prospects in that new place, and being too
strong willed to turn back for ordinary discouragements, they all agreed
to proceed to California, and did not stop till they reached the Pacific
slope, the journey consuming five months. Mr. Posenkrans had a
brother who went to Pike's Peak just before he started, and died there
the same summer. He remained in California a year and a half, and
returned home by water. He was married October 15, 1863, to Miss
Lydia A. Mittan, who was born October 29, 1839. Her parents were
Jeptha P. and Jane (Beemer) Mittan, who settled in Willow Creek
township about 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenkrans have two sons : Anson
P., born July 31, 1869 ; and Byron M., November 22, 1871. He is a
republican, and a member of Anchor Lodge, No. 510, I.O.O.F. He
owns a pleasantly situated farm of 240 acres, three miles northwest of
Paw Paw, valued at $12,000.

Henry L. Roberts, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, son of Hendrick H.
and Elizabeth (Scott) Roberts, was born in New Jersey in 1845. He
was the third child in a family of ten. Four were sons, three of whom
are living. The other, Crawford, was a member of the 1st Wis. Cav.
in the late war, and died at Cape Girardeau, Wisconsin. Mr. Roberts
came to Pavilion,- Kendall county, in the spring of 1856, and in 1868
removed with his parents to Paw Paw, where they still reside. He i&
a republican in politics, and belongs to the Sons of Temperance and to
the Good Templars. January 1, 1873, he was married to Miss Eva-
leen Cornell, daughter of Harvey and Lura Cornell. She was born in
1856. Their three children are Crawford Leroy, born August 8,
1875 ; Etta May, October 11, 1877 ; and Lura, in August 1878.

William P. Hamptox, farmer, East Paw Paw, third child of James
and Clarissa (McCarty) Hampton, was born in Canada, May 6, 1823.
Three Hamptons came from England in the colonial period; one
brother settled in Nova Scotia, one in New Jersey, and the other in
South Carolina, from the latter of whom the talented and aristocratic
family of that name in the Palmetto State has sprung. Mr. Hamp-
ton's grandfather McCarty was a militia captain and served in the
second war for independence; he was taken prisoner by the British
but escaped from Canada. His father was born in Pennsylvania and
his mother in Saratoga, New York. The latter is still living. They

712 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

went to Canada in early life, were married there and had iiv^e sons
and one daughter. His father moved with his famil}' to Quincv, Illi-
nois, in 1838, and on the breaking out of the Mexican war he enlisted
in the military service and was sent to Santa Fo, where he died.
Early in 1848 Mr. Hampton came to Lee county, and in the fall the
rest of the family followed him. That season he cropped his present
farm, but did not bay it. JSText year he purchased 80 acres and after-
ward 40 more northeast of Paw Paw. In 1852 he crossed the plains
to California, where he was married May 16, 1853, to Miss Amanda
J. Weddell. She was born in Pennsylvania, June 24, 1823. Her
grandfather Weddell emigrated from Wales before the revolution, and
obtained a large tract of land between the Alleghany and Monongahela
rivers. Her parents, Jesse and Nancy (Davis) Weddell, had five sons
and four daughters. The mother is yet living. Both father and
mother were born close to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The former
was a soldier in the last war with England, served in Ohio, and fought
in the Massinaway battles under Captain Jacob Walsh. In 1831 he
settled in Indiana, and died there in 1838. He was born in 1780.
In 1853 Mrs. Hampton, in company with her brother, P. M. Weddell,
and Henry Zinn, left Goshen, Elkhart county, Indiana, where she had
been reared, and went by steaniship to California, sailing from New
York on board the Northern Light; Tinklepaw, captain. They en-
countered a severe storm on the way to Greytown, and up the Nica-
ragua river; and after taking passage for San Francisco on board the
Independence, met with a terrible disaster at sea. This steamer was
burned off the island of St. Marguerite, and over 400 passengers were
lost. Mrs. Hampton was bereft of her brother and their friend Zinn,
and she herself was washed ashore, insensible, a distance of over a mile.
Later, the steamer was driven onto the beach. Three days elapsed
and the whaling vessel Omega, Captain Jeffrey, from Bedford, Maine,
took the survivors off the island and conveyed them to their destina-
tion. The captain of the Independence was imprisoned 21 years for
not beaching his boat and saving the passengers. Mr. Hampton re-
turned with his wife and child to Illinois in the spring of 1855, and
resumed the occupation of farming at his former home in Paw Paw
township, De Kalb county. In 1866 he sold his farm there and re-
moved to the place where he is now living, one mile north of East
Paw Paw. This contains 117 acres, worth §6,000. In 1871 he went
south and traveled a few months in Florida, on a sight-seeing tour.
Both liimself and wife are members of the Congregatioiuil church.
He is a republican and a Mason ; and belongs to Spartan Lodge, No.
272, I.O.O.F., and has filled all the chairs.

Bkittain J. Agler, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, was born in Lycoming

wroMiNa TOWNSHIP. 713

county, Pennsylvania, in 18^8, and was the youngest of five sons
and four daughters by Jerome and Sarah (Brittain) Agler. His father
came west in the spring of 1849 and located his family on the south
side of Paw Paw Grove. Farming has always been Mr. Agler's occu-
pation, and his home was never elsewhere than in Lee county, excepting
a residence of three years at Mendota. He was married September
21, 1873, to Miss Mary E. Pulver, daughter of James F. and Sarah C.
Pulver, of Paw Paw. Her birth was on April 18, 1852. Two chil-
dren have been born to them, James J., April 13, 1874, and Fred W.,
September 7, 1879. Mrs. Agler is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church at South Paw Paw. He is a republican, and owns 178
acres of land in Sec. 2, "Wyoming township, valued at |8,000. Mr.
Agler's brothers Joseph and John were volunteers in Co. K, 75th 111.
Vol. Inf., served their full term of three years, and bore a part in
several memorable engagements.

Abijah Florence, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, was born in the town
of Reading, Steuben county, ISTew York, in 1823, and was the son of
Peter and Elizabeth (Campbell) Florence. He was reared a farmer,
and carried on lumbering in connection with that business several
years. He was married in ISTew York to Miss Mandane Smith, daughter
of John and Clarissa (Fitch) Smith. She was born in 1832. In 1854
they moved to Paw Paw, and Mr. Florence bought his present home,
which is the E. ^ of S.E. ^ Sec. 3, one mile north of the village.
This homestead is worth $4,000. They resided in Paw Paw until
1871, Mr. Florence farming his land meanwhile, but in that year
removed to the farm. He is a republican, and has belonged to
Anchor Lodge, No. 510, 1.O.O.F., eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Florence
have an only child, Clara.

Cornelius Quackenbush, deceased, was born in Bergen county,
New Jersey, November 18, 1825. His parents were Corinis and Jane
(Post) Quackenbush. He was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade and
followed it until he came west. His father followed agriculture, was
a man of great business tact and industry, and accumulated a large for-
tune. On November 18, 1846, Mr. and Mrs. Quackenbush were united
in marriage. The latter, daughter of David and Rachel (Westervelt)
Christie, was born July 29, 1830. Her grandfather, David Christie,
was a Scotchman by birth, and settled in New Jersey before the revo-
lution. In the spring of 1851 her parents emigrated to this township
and bought the place where James Fonda lives. In the spring of 1858
Mr. Quackenbush brought his family here, and the next year purchased
the farm on which his widow resides, adjacent to Paw Paw on the
north. He carried on this farm as long as he lived. From 1866 to
1869 he carried the mails between Earlville and Twin Groves; he then

714 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

moved his family to Shabbona Grove, and was mail carrier between
there and Leland until 1873, He had iour children : Jennie M., born
November 26, 1850, married Dallas C. Breese October 29, 1867;
David H., June 27, 1852, died September 14, 1871; Corinis, July 15,
1854, died August 24, 1855; and Renea, March 10, 1861, died October
13, 1864. Mrs. Quackenbush's father was born December 27, 1790,
and for some years prior to his death was afHicted with physical in-
firmities, which aflected his mind and caused temporary mental de-
rangement. In one of these moods he ended his life b}- hanging, in
July 1&67. Her mother, who was born September 15, 1793, is still
living, in tolerable health, in Mendota. These venerable parents had a
family of eleven children. The eldest was David, who lives on a part
of the old homestead. John was a surveyor and school teacher, at one
time was book-keeper and paymaster on the Illinois and Michigan
canal, and died of consumption not long after the family emigrated to
this state. Ralph lives at Mendota, unmarried. James, who married
the youngest daughter of Joshua Swarthout, lives in Missouri. One
died in infancy. The daughters were Betsy, Rachel, Anna, Irene,
Jane, and Ann Maria.

Thomas W. Makble, farmer, East Paw Paw, was born in Ontario
county, New York, July 11, 1826, and was the fourth in a family of
seven children by Thomas and Katie (Winfield) Marble. His brothers
and sisters were Levi, Lucinda, Phebe, Asenath, Serephna, and Eph-
raim. When he was ten years old his father died, and his mother
married Thomas Burgess. By this second marriage four more children
were born, namely: Julia, John, Benjamin, and Rhoda. In 1831 the
family moved to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and it was there that Mr.
Marble's father died, in April 1836. They settled on the Cleveland
and Pittsburgh turnpike, on 160 acres located in a dense forest. This
land is now all cleared and has been parceled out to the heirs, who have
sold their inheritance. His mother is living on her portion of the old
homestead, at the advanced age of eighty-one. Mr. Marble went to
work at carpentering at sixteen, and followed his trade until his re-
moval to Illinois in 1856. He settled in Paw Paw township, De Kalb
county, resided there five years, then moved to his present home in
East Paw Paw. He was engaged in farming the first seven years of
his residence in Illinois; the rest of the time he has been engaged in
carpentry. He has been constable since his settlement in this count}'
twenty years ago ; was deputy sheriff four years under Jonathan Hills ;
and has twice been collector. Politically he is a republican. He has
been a Mason twenty-three years, and is a member of Corinthian
Lodge, No. 205, A.F. and A.M. His marriage with Miss Susannah
B. Le Moin, daughter of Eleazer D. and Rebecca Le Moin, took place

WYOMING TOWNSHIP, 715

October 11, 1845. She was born in 1824. Their fonr softs are Emery
H., Bntler, Henry, and Lewis. The first enlisted in December
1862, in Co. I, 4th 111. Cav., and served his full term of three years
without accident or injury. He campaigned in the southwest, and in
the' spring of 1863 went on Gi-ierson's famous raid, one of the most
brilliant and successful made during the whole war. He married Miss
Mary Beckwith, of Texas, and has two children. Henry married Miss
Emma Shufelt, and they have one bright little girl, Mirtie May.

Oren Marble, blacksmith, East Paw Paw, was born in New York
in 1814, and was the son of Lucius and Mary (Olds) Marble. His
father died when he was eight years old, and at the age of fourteen he
went to live with a man who was a blacksmith by trade. After being
with him one year, and partly learning to be a craftsman, he went to
doing for himself, and until he was twenty-five found employment at
various avocations. In 1832 he settled in Ohio, and the same year
was married to Miss Lois Marble, whose natal year was the same as his
own. In Ohio he finished his apprenticeship and worked most of the
time at the blacksmith business ; in 1845 he removed to Lake county,
this state, and in 1867, to his present home at East Paw Paw. Mr.
and Mrs. Marble have been the parents of seven children, as follows:
Lavina, William, Martha (dead), James (dead), Franklin (dead), An-
geline (dead), and Wyman. Mrs. Marble is a communicant in the
Methodist church. Mr. Marble has held the offices of town clerk, road
commissioner, constable, and justice of the peace, and is a member of
Spartan Lodge, Xo. 272, I.O.O.F. His son Wyman belongs to the
same lodge. In 1853 Mr. Marble went overland to California, helped
to drive 122 head of cattle across the plains, remained two years on the
Pacific coast, and returned by way of Panama and New York. He
was originally a whig, but since that party went out of existence has
been a republican.

Harris D. Merwine, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania May 3,
1821, of German ancestry. His father was a tiller of the soil, and
he, at the proper age, began to learn the millwright's trade, which he
followed near Mauch Chunk until the summer of 1849. On June 19
of that year he was married to Miss Thurza Morris, of Tunkhannock,
Wyoming county, Pennsylvania. Her father was Isaac Morris. Im-
mediately after this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Merwine and her father's
family started west and stopped at Paw Paw, or " Mormon Corners."
They erected a house together in what is now the west part of the
town, on land purchased from Jacob Rogers, and the next year Mr.
Merwine built a wagon shop, in which he labored until his health failed
in 1856. He was then elected constable and collector for Wyoming,
but did not long hold these offices, being removed by death April 20,

716 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

1857. He \\*as a republican and an Odd-Fellow. He was a useful and
respected citizen, whose character was in every way above reproach,
and whose nienior}^ is spoken of to this day in excellent terms. On the
death of Mr. Merwine, Mrs. Merwine's parents came to live with her.
The mother died in 1874. Mrs. Merwine was left a widow with three
childi-en : Irene married A. R. Haskell and lives in Michigan; Albert
is station agent at Amboy, and Anna died in 1870.

Alva R. Harp, restaurateur, Paw Paw Grove, was born in Miami
county, Indiana, in 1839. His father, Samuel, and his mother, Jane
(Butler), were among the earliest settlers in that county. The father
still resides there, and the mother was a second cousin to the late
President James A. Garfield. In 1850 Mr. Harp came to Willow
Creek township. After spending one summer here, and returning to
Indiana for a short visit, he went to Missouri and remained eighteen
months. One-third of this time was occupied in teaching school, and
the remainder saw him station agent at Miller's Landing, on the Pacific
railroad. He now returned to Indiana for a brief sojourn, then to
Willow Creek, where he was married in February 1859, to Miss
Amanda E., daughter of Jesse Koons. At the end of two or three years'
residence in that township he moved to Minnesota, where he and his
wife, whose good courage and endurance were tested and served them
well, encountered as great hardships as have fallen to the lot of few
pioneers. In a year the Indian war broke out and Mrs. Harp returned
to Illinois, but her husband tarried behind a few months. He was
employed six months at Fort Snelling, first as teamster and then as
cook. On his return to Willow Creek he made his home there with
his family again two or three years; after which he moved to Iowa,
and spent some three years in that state. He once more found his way
back to Willow Creek, and subsequently settled in West Paw Paw.
This was in 1873, and was his last removal. During his changes from
place to place he had been most of the time employed at farming. On
coming to this village he at once set up in the dry-goods trade, and soon
took Andrew Rosenkranz as partner, to whom he sold his interest in
a few months. He now opened a restaurant on the south side of Main
street, which was the first business house ever erected there. He was
ouee subsequently in the dry-goods trade, in which venture he failed ;
he was in the butchering business fifteen months, and altogether has
had six restaurants. Accompanied by his wife, in 1879 he traveled by
wagon in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, his journey extending
from September 22 until the following January. These parents have
two children, jSTellie, who is twenty-one years of age, and Samuel, now
sixteen. Mr. Harp is a republican, and a member of Anchor Lodge,
No. 510, T.O.O.F., and of Paw Paw Encampment, No. 52.

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 717

James Little, retired, Paw Paw Grove, born in Dumfriesshire,
Scotland, in Novemi:)er 1815, is the only surviving son of Walter and
Helen (Johnston) Little. When James was old enough he was kept
at school for some years, and then began work in gardens and nurse-
ries of fruit and forest trees. In the summer of 1833, in company with
an elder brother, he came to America, landed at Quebec, came up to
Toronto, was there and elsewhere in Canada about a year and a half,
and then came to Buffalo, New York, where they soon after met their
parents. Two brothers, Andrew and William, followed to America, and
settled in the same city. James worked in gardens in the summer season
till the spring of 1838, when the whole family, except John, the eldest son,
moved to Illinois and took up a claim in what is now Brooklyn, in Lee
county. His father died two months after they settled, but the family
remained on the place. James and William worked out apart of the
time for the first two years till they had their farm on the prairie broken
up, and when the land came into market James and William bought
the claim. Andrew bought his claim in Viola. In 1846 James bought
William's interest in the farm, but shared the home with his mother and
brother. In the fall of 184:8 he sold the farm, and the following spring
moved to East Paw Paw, where he purchased a share in the store of S.
B. Warren. His mother died that summer, in July, and soon after her
death James had a tombstone set up which marks the graves of both
father and mother, and under their names the following verse from
Hervey's '" Meditations " :

" Centered in Christ, v/ho fires the soul within,
The flesh shall know no pain, the soul no sin.
E'en in the terrors of expiring breath
We bless the friendly stroke, and live in death."

He remained with Warren some two years. In closing up the
affairs of the firm Mr. Little commenced the business of loaning money,
which he has continued to the present time. In 1861 he bought the
house and lot where he now resides, at Paw Paw. In 1871 he was
married to Harriet Bolles, second child of Dr. Alexander H. Bolles, of
Tunkhannock, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania.

George S. Hunt, M.D., deceased, was the first regular medical
practitioner at Paw Paw Grove and throughout the surrounding coun-
try. He was the son of William H. and Elizabeth (Esteb) Hunt ; was
born in southern Indiana, June 30, 1817 ; educated at La Porte, Indi-
ana ; graduated at the medical college of that city in class of 1845, and
married that year, in May, to Louisa Ward, of Paw Paw Grove, daugh-
ter of Samuel Ward, formerly of Onondaga county. New York. Dr.
Hunt commenced the practice of medicine at Paw Paw Grove in 1844.
His ride soon became very extensive, taking in all the groves within

718 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY,

reacli. His estimable wife often accompanied him, and drove the
team, so he might sleep in the carriage. She says "there were at this
time no roads, and often no trail or trace, and only his mind's eye to
guide him," He wore himself out, and died in 1855 in the town of
Pompey, State of New York, while on a visit for recuperation. The
beautiful residence of his widow, at South Paw Paw, still evidences
Di'. Hunt's good taste, and abilit}^ to design and plan. Their only
child is Hannah E., wife of John Baker, of Paw Paw. Mrs. Hunt's
mother, Hannah Ward, now in her eighty -fifth year, is living with
Mrs, Hunt.

Ira Baker, farmer, retired. Paw Paw Grove, was born in the
county of Schoharie, New York, January 14, 1814, and was the eldest
of seven children of Silas and Catharine (Bungier) Baker. His father
was a lumberman and farmer, working at the one in winter and the
other in summer, so that between the two there remained little chance
of schooling for his boys. When Ira was seventeen he bought his
time for $150, which he subsequently earned by working out by the
month. In the summer of 1834, in his twenty-first year, he came west
to what is now Jersey county, Illiuois. One Spanish dollar constituted
his stock in trade when he commenced his western life, but his capital
comprised also those traits of character that inevitably insure success.
He split rails at three shillings a hundred, and could make just one
hundred a day. From this pittance his board, and postage, at two
shillings a letter, had to be met. April 2 of the following spring he
was married to Sarah, daughter of John Wilkins, of that county.
Farming in suitable weather, and turning the balance of his time to
account in making oak shingles, thus, by constant hard work and the
most rigid economy, he was able in those days to obtain a bare liveli-
hood. About this time he carried the mail over a route of some twenty
miles, crossing the Mississippi. His flat-boat experiences and adven-
tures, as narrated to the writer, were fraught with lively interest. In
that early day a liouse with a window in it was a rare exception.
Nothing of importance save hard work and low prices occurred till
the spring of 1848, when he moved to Chicago to educate his childi'en
a term or two, and continued his shingle business there. The next
winter he moved to Wyoming township. Here for about thirty-two
years he formed from 120 to 240 acres. In 1877 he built his village
residence, corner of Peru and Wheeler streets. He was commissioner
of highways several years ; also collector. As an official he was one
who did business correctly, but he usually declined all solicitations to
be a candidate for any office. In his dealings he has been wont to
repose confidence in men, often loaning without even a note, and with
no security ; yet, strange to say, $25 would more than cover all his

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 719

losses from betrayed confidence. He believes in making the most
unprincipled man feel that he is yet a onan. He joined the Methodist
Episcopal church forty-two years ago, in the days of Peter Cartwright.
He had two sons in the army : Ira W. served three years in Co. K,
75th reg. 111. Inf., was in the terrible battles from Franklin to Atlan-
ta, where he was wounded, but not seriously disabled ; John was in
the service the closing year of the war. Of fifteen children twelve are
still living, and their father says of them what every parent would
gladly be able to say, " I am proud of every one of them."

John B. Bbiggs, hair manufacturer, Paw Paw Grove, was born in
Anson, Somerset county, Maine, March 22, 1836. He lived in his
native town till the summer of 1846, when he departed with his parents,
Adin and Susan (Cottle), for the Far West, and arrived at Grand De-
tour, Ogle county, in July, The family remained in the vicinity of
that place and Washington Grove five years, engaged in farming.
John's advantages for education were very limited, but while there he
improved the winters to attend the district school. In 1851 his father
moved his family to Willow Creek township, this county, where he
preempted the S.E. \ Sec. 14, and the following spring died. John,
the eldest son, now sixteen, took charge of the farm, and was hence-
forth the main dependence of the large family. When the preemption
expired he and his mother paid the pi-ice of the land from the first crop
of wheat, and received a patent from the government. At this time
one of the brothers came into possession of half the land, and when
the division was afterward made the remainder was evenly divided
between the other two. John then bought his brotiier's share of fort}'
acres. When Mr. Briggs came to Willow creek the country was
nowliere improved, save by a meager population located around the
groves, and it was so little transformed from its original wildness that
in going from his home to Twin Groves he has counted at one time
forty deer, and frequently from under his window barking wolves
stai'tled the night air with piercing yelps, and gave the household
hideous serenade. In 1864 Mr. Briggs was married in Lexington,
Somerset county, Maine, to Miss Alfr(3da Pierce. He returned with
his bride and settled on the old homestead, where they lived until
1873, when he sold his farm. During the next two years he made his
home in Chicago, being engaged in trade and carpentry. Since that
time he has resided at Paw Paw. His wife died some years ago. On
March 31, 1877, he was married again, to Miss Eliza Town, youngest
daughter of Russell and Roxana Town. By his first marriage he had
three children : Obed W. survives, the others were buried in infancy.
Since settling in Paw Paw he has been most of the time emplo^^ed in
traveling, and manufacturing and selling hair goods, and is now doing

720 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

a larger business in this line than any other person west of Chicago.
By this means he has obtained an extensive acquaintance. He is a
steward in the Methodist church at Paw Paw, and a republican in
politics.

S. A. Abbott, cooper and dealer in all kinds of cooperage, Paw
Paw Grove ; born at Londonderry, Windham county, Yermont, May
25, 1825. He was the youngest of twelve children of Jacob and Abi-
gail (Dutton) Abbott. His father was in five battles in the war of
1812, and came out of the battle of Plattsburg with seven bullet holes
through his close-fitting shirt. In his leisure hours during the war he
made himself useful by mending shoes for officers and soldiers, and in
this way earned and saved up one hundred silver half dolhirs. Having
enlisted for five years, there still remained fourteen mouths of liis term
when that war closed, and to escape a long, tedious march to the Rocky
mountains and back he used his hundred half dollars to secure a sub-
stitute. He received his land warrant and held it till his son was
eighteen, but it called for land to be selected "away out in Illinois,"
or farther west, and the son regarded that as out of the civilized world,
and w^ould not accept as a gift the rich prairie that he has since learned
to prize most highly. Young Abbott's school days were quite limited,
yet he seems to have made the most of them. At thirteen commenced
working out; was with his first employer twenty-one months, includ-
ing three months' schooling. Doubtless, little did that kind-hearted
employer then realize that in future years, when nearly a half century
should have elapsed, the recollections of his almost paternal kindness
to the stranger lad would be still so fresh in a grateful memory as to
choke utterance and moisten the eyes. His sixteenth and seventeenth
years were employed in a hotel. In the fall of 1812 he hired out to
drive a six-horse team from Chester, Yermont, to Boston, one hundred
and ten miles. Six tons was an average load. In this work he took
great delight; his horses seemed to understand his word perfectly, and
he used no rein. He thought he had found his life work ; but lo, the
iron horse changed many a fate. In the spring of his twenty-first
year he began learning the trade of carpenter and joiner ; but in that
country of long winters he could work at his trade but seven months
in the year, so he found employment in a hotel the remaining five, and
this course he followed for seven years. In the spring of 1851- he came
west to La Salle, Illinois, where he worked at his trade, and that fall
made a visit to friends near Paw Paw Grove. Delighted with the
country, he at once purchased a farm, and on New Year's day laid the
sills for his house. In June, 1855, he was married to Hannah C. Bailey,
daughter of Miles S. Bailey. In 1860 both united with the Methodist
Episcopal church at South Paw Paw, and since then were transfei'red

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 721

to the cluirch at Paw Paw. A veteran Sunday-school superintendent,
class leader for twenty years, sharing his genial home most happily
with his wife's parents a quarter century, surely Mr. Abbott's life has
been no failure. He is a republican and P.G.W. in Anchor Lodge,
I.O.O.F.

Marshall R. Reams, merchant, Paw Paw Grove, was born in
Ross county, Ohio, December 15, 1850, and the only child of William
and Ellen (Bowen) Reams. When he was three years old the family
moved to Illinois and settled near Paw Paw, where his mother died
the following year. His schooling was confined to the home district
school and ended at eighteen. At twenty-one he commenced clerking;
was employed successively by Jacob Hendershot, John Colvill and
W. C Runyan ; was in partnership a year with Henry Potter in gen-
eral merchandising, and in April, 1881, commenced for himself in the
same business. He was married March 28, 1875, to Libbie Sanford,
of this place. They have two children : Wilbur Pratt, born March 1,
1877, and Frederick William, born October 7, 1879.

Alexander Field, liveryman, Paw Paw Grove, proprietor of the
well-rigged livery stable east of the Paw Paw House, is one of the old
and respected citizens of the place. He was born at Chester, Vermont,
October 3, 1826, and the youngest of ten children of Robert W. and
Lydia M. Field. Having spent his youtli in the usual way, between
the school and the farm, he looked about a little through Michigan
and Wisconsin, came to Lee county, Illinois, in his twenty -first year,
and bought land from the government in Sees. 26 and 27. In August,
1849, he married Louisa Rumsey, daughter of Isaac Rumsey, of Sulli-
van, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He made his financial start in Cali-
fornia, whence he returned in 1851. His father, living with him at
this time, died in 1858. He sold his farm in 1870, and in 1872 bought
his present residence. He was for a time engaged in the heavy work
of "drayman, but his health iailing in 1875, he commenced the livery
business. For this he seems to be well fitted, and his business is
thriving. He is republican in politics and a zealous Odd-Fellow,
having filled all the oflfices of that order, both of the subordinate and
the encampment. Mr. and Mrs. Field have the reputation of being
among the most accommodatino; and kind-hearted of citizens. Thev
have no children living ; have buried two, Addie and Zillia.

Amos Siglin, Paw Paw Grove, is»one of those industrious, enter-
prising men who are the bone and sinew of a live town. He is a gen-
ial Pennsylvanian, born in the township of Chestnut Hill, and county of
Nortliampton, His father, Jacob Siglin, a veteran of 1812, was wounded
at New Orleans under General Jackson, and died when Amos was but
eleven years old. His mother's maiden name was Susannah Singer ;

722 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

she lived to the great age of ninety-seven years, ten months, and two
days. Amos when a boy loved to work, but was not particularly fond
of books, and he had to go three miles to school ; so after the death of
the father the preference of the boy rather than his real good was too
often regarded, and his schooling became too frequently a secondary
matter. On the farm till he was sixteen, he then went to the trade of
carpenter and joiner, and followed it till he came west in 1855. That
fall he purchased the farm he now owns in Sec. 29, Willow Creek
township. During the winter of 1873 he dealt quite extensively in but-
ter, live stock, etc., at Paw Paw. Before coming west, in 1851, he was
married to Catharine, daughter of William and Barbara Sutton, both of
whom died at Paw Paw at an advanced age in 1879. The buildings
on Mr. Siglin's farm are of his own workmanship ; he also built his
Paw Paw residence, in 1876, and with Mr. Lester Potter, in 1880,
erected the brick block known as the Siglin and Potter block. On the
night of July 30, 1881, a high wind stripped off about half of the iron
rooting from this building, demolishing coping, awning, etc. The cost
of repairs was about §350. Mr. and Mrs. Siglin have four children :
Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. Wm. H. Smith), Dolly (Mrs. Adolphus Fisher,
of Ogle county), William Siglin, of the firm of Wm. Merrell & Co.,
and Barbara. Mr. Siglin is in full sympathy with both Odd-Fellows
and Masons, being a member of each order. He has always voted the
democratic ticket.

Samuel C. Mitchell, dealer in hardware. Paw Paw Grove, born at
Bedford, Hillsborough county, New Hampshire, November 3, 1835,
was the fifth of twelve children of Dwella W. and Eliza D. (Smith)
Mitchell. At ten years of age he had never had a day's schooling nor
even been taught his letters. He walked two and a half miles and
back each day for all his schooling, save six weeks at an institute at
nineteen. Commencing with ABC, his progress was constant and
rapid ; at the end of three months he was in the fourth reader. For
four years he had six months annually, after that only three, and worked
out on farms'^the other nine. Tiie night before he was twenty-one he
delivered up to his father the last farthing of his earnings, received in
turn a suit of clothes, and this, Avith reputation, brains, brave heart and
brawny hands, constituted his sole capital with which to start for him-
self. '' But," says he to the writer, " 'Twas the best thing that could
have been done for me." After working one summer on a farm, and
teaming that winter, the spring of 1858 found him on a farm in De-
Kalb county, Illinois, in the employ of Augustus Breese, with wdiom
he remained four years, and whose daughter Emily he married in 1864.
From 1862 to 1872 he rented and worked a farm ; then was in the
hardware business nine months in Iowa, when seeing " as with pro-

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 723

plietic eye," the promising opening for business at Paw Paw, he sold out,
came to this place, and opened his present hardware store. He has
chree children, the youngest named after President Garfield. Mr.
Mitchell is a Mason, an official member of the Presbyterian church,
and a man who has the respect of his townsmen. His parents are still
living, and are on the old homestead in the Old Granite State.

John Patkick, retired, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania,
August 7, 1808. The names of his parents were Abel and Elizabeth
(Hurlbutt), and they were natives of Connecticut. His father was a
soldier in the revolutionary war, and his grandfather came from France.
John was the youngest of seven children. His education M'as limited,
not attending school over three months in the year. The country was
new, and there was plenty of hard work on his father's farm, Avhere he
stayed till he was twenty-five. Ho then engaged a short time in a
store, afterward in a liotel, and visited the west. In October, 1836,
he married Celinda Earl, and for two years they were connected with
a hotel. His wife and child died, and in 1838 he returned to his old
home in Pennsylvania. For four or five years he was in a store, and
in 1841 married Miss Mary Harris, of Columbia county, Pennsylvania.
After being on a farm for a time, in the spring of 1815 they came to
Sycamore, Illinois, and in February, 1816, settled in Wyoming. At
that time there was not a mile of railroad in Illinois. The farm he
purchased then was the N.W. |- of N.W. ^ Sec. 36, and the S.W. ^
of S.W. ^ Sec. 25. He lived here thirty years, except for two years
when the family resided temporarily *t East Paw Paw, so that the
children could attend school there. In March, 1876, his second wife
died. In January, 1879, he married Miss S. A. Wilson, of Paw Paw.
Four children were born to his second wife, two of whom are now liv-
ing: Mrs. Harriet C. Mirick, in Kansas, who has three children, and
Mrs. Gertrude E. Agler, of Paw Paw, who has one child. One who
knows Mr. Patrick from his youth says of him : " He has seen hard
times enough to sink most men, but through tireless energy and
dauntless will has attained a goodly measure of success." He is an
Odd-Fellow, and has held prominent positions in various organizations.

AsAHEL Pkentice, farmer and stock raiser. Paw Paw Grove, is
another of the staunch farmers and stalwart men of whom Wyoming
is justly proud. Mr. Prentice hails from the old Bay State, where, in
the town of Chester, in Hampden county, he was born June 6, 1833.
His parents were Ephraim and Susan (Bisbee) Prentice. He was
there twenty-three years, with the usual advantages of the district
schools of those days, and four months at Williston Seminary, at East-
hampton. He was brought up a farmer, and came to Wyoming town-
shij) in the fall of 1856, and tlie following year, in November, was

724 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

married to Amanda M., daughter of James C. and Enphemia (Mar-
shall) Spronl, of Montour county, Pennsylvania. jS'early a quarter of
a century has elapsed since, on the wild prairie one mile north of the
township line, the}' began life together. They now have a good farm,
well stocked and improved, a commodious new house, with excellent
cellar and conveniences for dairying, six children, hale, hearty and
strong, all at home, and apparently a pleasant home, where kindred
hearts beat in unison, and all are willing to work for the common
good. The children are Sarah E., James C, Henry Mortimer, Joseph
D., William M. S., and Lena May. Mr. Prentice is a republican, but
says he honors a good, sti'aight democrat. He is both a Mason and an
Odd-Fellow, having his membership at West Paw Paw. From 1872
to 1878 he served the town as a commissioner of highways.

Geokge W. Miller, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, was born in Lu-
zerne county, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1853, and was the son of
William and Eliza K. (Yosburgh) Miller. He came west with his
parents and settled in Viola township, having first stopped a short
time in La Salle county. When he was sixteen years old his father
sold his farm and bought another in Wyoming township, on See. 6.
Mr. Miller remained at home until twenty-four years of age, and on
October 5, 1878, was married to Miss Alice Mittan, daughter of J. P.
Mittan. Li the autumn of 1879 he took charge of his father's farm of
175 acres, at the head of Willow creek. Mr. and Mrs. Miller's two
children are Minnie E. and Carrie May. He is a republican in
polities.

A. C. Radley, tarmer and town clerk, Paw Paw Grove, was born
January 14, 1827, at Florida, Montgomery county, New York. His
father was the late John J. Radley, who died at Earlville in the sum-
mer of 1881. Anderson, the subject of our sketch, was the eldest son,
and his father was an invalid for many years. For these reasons the
son's schooling was quite limited. Not till he was twenty-four ^^ears
of age did he surrender the care of the old homestead. After working
a rented farm in his native state some four years, and another in
Batavia, Illinois, for two years, in the spring of 1858 he came to Wyo-
ming township, and purchased the eighty acres of wild prairie which
he has since transformed into the Eden Home, where he still resides.
On December 14, 1862, he was married to Miss Mary B. Hayden, of
Jackson county, Michigan ; but she was taken away October 7, 1865,
leaving a son about two years of age. On May 9, 1866, he \\as mar-
ried to Martha, daughter of Frederick and Mary McBride of this town-
ship. Mr. Radley was one of those who organized the Paw Paw
Presbyterian church, and has been a ruling elder and trustee from
that time to date. An Odd-Fellow for more than a quarter of a cen-

^//^^ s

CL^

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 727

tury, he instituted Anchor Lodge at Paw Paw, and has served four
tim^^s as representative to the Grand Lodge. In 1881 he was elected
town clerk, and in July spent one whole day signing the new railroad
bonds.

Kelson Lane, deceased, was born in Ulster county. New York,
January 29, 1810, and in 1830 came to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania.
In 1831 he married Sally Ann Tripp, daughter of Job Tripp, from
Providence, Rhode Island. Lumbering was his main dependence
while in the Keystone State. In the fall of 1853 he emigrated to Illi-
nois, arriving at Paw Paw October 14. Hard work and good man-
agement soon began to tell. Renting a farm near Crompton, and
purchasing another near Brooklyn, the crop from the former put a
good house on the latter, and that 80 acres costing then $2.50 per acre
was sold in 1875 at $60 per acre. Mr, Lane died August 27, 1874.
Of four children three are still living: the daughter, Julia, is now Mrs.
Edwin R. Case, of Paw Paw. The two sons, Job T. and Nelson F.,
were both in the service of their country ; the former was a member
of Co. I, 15th 111. Inf., and the latter of Co. C, 13th reg. Mrs. Lane
now I'esides at Paw Paw.

Fernando II. Chaffe, farmer and stock raiser, Paw Paw Grove,
is a man of marked business ability, and one of Wyoming's heaviest
capitalists. He was a son of Eber and Annie (Davis) Chaffe, and
born in Windham county, Yermont, November 21, 1827. In his
twelfth year the famil}'^ emigrated to Compton, Kane county, Illinois.
In the spring of his twenty-fifth year he went to California, where in
mining and milling for four years and six months he acquired a suffi-
cient sum to give him a good start in business. His health being quite
poor when he returned to Compton in the fall of 1856, he remained
there for about two years recruiting and loaning money. Meanwhile,
on July 15, 1858, he was married to Delia Barber, daughter of Lahira
and Annis Barber, of Compton. Some years before this he had deed-
ed from the government a tract of 240 acres in Lee county, four miles
south of Paw Paw ; coming onto this he began breaking the
prairie and making himself a home. Since then he has bought 200
acres adjoining, and sold 40. His present farm of 400 acres, with first-
class buildings, and other improvements to correspond, is delightfully
located on the brow of a hill, with a fine prospect, and is reputed to
be one of the finest farms in Wyoming township. Mi'. Chafte puts
about 300 acres each j^ear in grains and clover. They have had eleven
children, and buried three; Abbie F. is now Mrs. William Tabor,
Edmund W. is a fine musician, now taking lessons under Matthews, in
Chicago; Elmer S., Wilbur T., Ella N., Minnie A. and John F. are
at home. An infant, " angel of the household," is not yet named,
43

728 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Marcia M. and Ernest died in infancy, and Carrie B. died in the fall
of 1880.

Lester Potter, deceased, was a man remarkable for his untiring
energy and enterprise; oldest of six children of William and Mary
(Pease) Potter. He was born August 5, 1824, in Middletown, Connect-
icut, acquired as good schooling as he could till he was sixteen, then
for sixteen years was managing a Pennsylvania farm summers, and at
home, ship-carpentering, winters. In 1847 he was married to Miranda
Andrews, youngest child of John and Sarah Andrews, of Salem,
Pennsylvania. In 1856 they moved to Illinois, where he purchased a
farm two and a half miles west of Paw Paw. In 1864 he bought
another near Malugin's Grove, and in 1868 a third in Willow Creek
township. On July 7, 1872, he received the first shipment of lumber
and coal brought to Paw Paw by railroad. Thus commenced his ex-
tensive business on Pern street, which he carried on for several years.
In 1875 he also engaged in the furniture business, on Maine street, and
the next year built a store to accommodate his growing trade. He also
became an ov/ner in several mines in Colorado, and to these he gave
personal attention during portions of 1877, and the year following.
In 1880 he and Mr. Amos Siglin erected the Siglin and Potter Brick
Block, into which he moved a stock of goods purchased of W. C.
Eunyan, and added general merchandising to his large list of enter-
prises. Mr. Potter was one of the few who could keep many irons in
the fire from early youth to three score without allowing any to burn.
He was also one who identified himself with the growth and prosper-
ity of the town, belonging to no religious organization, yet he
contributed liberally to the support of all. Early in May 1881, while
at Chicago, he was taken seriously ill, and his death occurred on the
26th of the same month. A large concourse of friends and citizens
followed his remains to the Ellsworth Cemetery. His four surviving
children are all married, and all, with their very worthy mother, now
reside in or near Paw Paw.

John Brittain, pioneer (deceased). (By his nephew, John T. Brit-
tain.) John Brittain was born in 1803, in Lycoming county, Penn-
sylvania. He followed lumbering, and was an efficient deputy sheriff.
He emigrated to Illinois and settled near Alton about 1840, and not
long after went into the pineries, followed lumbering, and in company
with others ran a large mill, doing a heavy business. But sickness
compelled him to leave affairs temporarily to others, who pocketed
large amounts and left for parts unknown, and Mr. Brittain found him-
self and family destitute in the city of St. Louis. As soon as he
accumulated sufficient funds again he bought two land warrants and
located them in Wyoming township. He acted as justice of the peace

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 729

for several years, and took quite an active interest in the union cause
during the rebellion. A son died at Fort Donelson from over exer-
tion. While an officer of Wj^oming, about 1863, he received a dispatch
to aid in arresting two horse-thieves ; he reluctantly consented ; he was
fired upon, and one of the men was shot. Some reflections being cast
upon him he demanded a trial, was acquitted, no one appearing against
him. He died very suddenly, some thought from apoplexy, caused by
the excitement and anxiety, others thought he was poisoned.

William J. Beittain, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, was born March
22, 1845, at Delhi, Jersey county, Illinois, and is the son of John and
Elizabeth Brittain. When about eighteen years of age he started for
himself. He lived on the home farm with John, his elder brother and
his mother, and worked for her and others. On January 31, 1869, he
married Ann Madison, of Paw Paw, a very worthy daughter of James
and Mary Madison. Her father was killed by a fall from a building
in Ohio when she was about two years old. Two children, Corda and
Mabel, bless their union. Mr. Brittain is a staunch republican and an
Odd-Fellow.

William Mayor, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, was born in the county
of Lancashire, England, December 3, 1820. Being one of a large
family, and put at work in early life, his schooling all told would not
amount to a year. May 21, 1841, he landed in New York. Brigham
Young came on the same vessel, and as they neared the port the pilot-
boat brought the sad intelligence of the death of President Harrison.
Going immediately to Albany, he worked in that city two years and
five months; thence to Columbus, where he worked two years and
seven months for the state on the Ohio canal ; thence to Dayton, and
worked for James Seville, a farmer, nearly three years, and married
his daughter, Sarah Ann Seville, September 4, 1848. He worked this
farm till 1854, when he moved to Paw Paw. Illinois, where his wife
died in 1874. March 28, 1880, he married M ip. Xancy Kelly. His
children are: James W., the harness-maker itt Paw Paw ; Mary Ann,
wife of David Thomas, living at south side ot the grove, and Sarah
Jane, living at home. One daughter, Luc}' Adelaide, died in 1879.
The lengthof time Mr. Mayor has been wont to stay with his employ-
ers indicates that lie was a faithful, competent workman, and the enor-
mous crops observed by the writer on his excellent farm show that he
is still a good farmer. His farm is the "Elder Warriner farm," at the
south side of the grove.

Lord Jones, retired from business. Paw Paw Grove, was the son
of Lewis and Sarah (Benedict) Jones, who were among the first set-
tlers in the Wyoming Valley, and his grandfather Benedict baptized
the first white child ever baptized in the Susquehanna. Lord was

730 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

born in Exeter, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1805. When
quite young he was naturally ingenious with tools; would split sticks
and fasten together, constructing a house such as would challenge the
skill of mature years. He never learned a trade regularly, b}^ serving
an apprenticeship, yet became a good carpenter. He was married
January 6, 1830, to Phebe, daughter of Maj. Ezekiel Goble. In 1848
they emigrated to Paw Paw Grove. Here the Goble family was a
numerous famil}^ of grand, early pioneers, who doubtless did not a
little in giving shape to the tastes and customs of the settlement about
Paw Paw Grove. Two brothers and three sisters, and the parents too,
all with families, were here gathered at Jacob Rogers' to greet the
Jones family at the end of their thirty-three days' journe}^, and under
the Cottonwood trees at the Rogers place forty-one kindred friends
sat down to the first dinner. Gobies, Boardmans, Rogerses and Towns,
including their thirty children, were present at this reunion. The
Joneses settled on a farm in Sees. 8 and 9. Three sons of this worthy
family espoused the cause of their country. Their first-born, Theodore
S., enlisted in 1861 in Co. D, 1st 111. Art. Over-exertion and expos-
ure at the battle of Yicksburg, brought on fatal disease. He started
for home, was for several weeks confined to the hospital in St. Louis,
and died of congestive chills at Schofield's barracks. Orlando B.
Jones enlisted in 1862 in Co. K, 75th reg. 111. Inf., and served till the
end of the war; though knocked down by a spent ball, hitting him di-
rectly over his heart, his strap and blanket saved his life. Benjamin
A. enlisted in January 1864:. Five sons and two daughters are still
living. Their entire family are republican in sentiment and belong to
the Baptist church.

W. A. Pkatt, druggist, Paw Paw Grove, was born at Deep river,
Connecticut, October 5, 1853. He was the son of Henry H. and Mary
(Comstock) Pratt. In the spring of 1856 the family moved to Illinois,
and settled in De Ivalb county, on a farm near Sandwich. Here he
made good use of the advantages afforded by the district school, sup-
plemented by the graded high schools, until he was eighteen. The
winter of 1870 and 1871 was saddened by the death of his mother.
The following spring he entered the drug store of A. H.- Palmer, of
Sandwich, where he spent three years learning the business. In the
spring of 1874 he came to Paw Paw, and entered the employ of W. C.
Runyan. In the fall of 1877 he bought out the business and stock of
goods and opened trade in his own name. In January, 1878, he was
married to Mary E., daughter of Isaac J. and Harriet E. Berry. His
business increasing, in November, 1880, he moved into the new Siglin
& Potter block, where he has one of the best arranged and most com-
plete drug stores in Lee county. In politics Mr. Pratt is republican.

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 731

He is an Odd-Fellow, and treasurer of Anchor Lodge, No. 510, 1.O.O.F.
He has one child.

Jacob Hendekshot, merchant, Paw Paw Grove, is one of the well-
known business men of Paw Paw. Born at Washingtonville, Mon-
tour county, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1832. His father's name
was Evan and his mother's Margaret C. (McBride). In 1840 his
parents moved to Limestoneville, whence Jacob soon after went to live
with his grandmother at Whitehall, staying with her till he was four-
teen. To the common school of these three places is he indebted for
his schooling, but not for his education. Like many of our self-made
men, Mr. Hendershot's student life has comprised the spare moments
of a life-time. At the early age of fourteen he went to live with an
uncle, a merchant and thorongh business man, and was with him an
entire decade. In 1856 he came west and, after prospecting through
northern Illinois, located at Paw Paw, as clerk for Cone & Madden.
Here he remained in the employ of the two succeeding owners, D. W.
Madden and Hiram Fuller, till the winter of 1857-8, when he went
east and closed out a stock of goods for Robt. McCoy. Returning, he
began business as a grocer on the north side of Main street, in Paw
Paw, in the fall of 1858. In the fall of 1860 he purchased his house
and lot, corner of Main and Peru streets, and was married to Jane M.
Carey, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania. In 1873 he erected the first brick
store in the place, and in it he is still carrying on business. In 1880
he tore down his old brick house, and on the same spot erected a fine,
spacious brick residence. Mr. Hendershot has ever given close per-
sonal attention to business, and to this end has declined official honors
and responsibilities. His sympathies have always been with the demo-
cratic party, except that in county and town ofiices he aims to vote for
the best men, regardless of party. He is a Mason, and was the secre-
tary of Corinthian Lodge, No. 205, A.F. and A.M., five successive
years, and junior warden three years. Mr. and Mrs. Hendershot have
one daughter.

Samuel Bunker, farmer and stock raiser. Paw Paw Grove, was a
native of Maine, born in Penobscot, February 10, 1820, son of Stephen
and Lucy (Page) Bunker. Till twenty-two his work was farming,
carpentering and lumbering, with a moderate allowance of schooling.
He came first to Lamoille, in Bureau county, Illinois, but remained
there only about two years, meanwhile purchasing from O. W. Bryant
a claim in Lee county on the north side of Four-Mile Grove. In the
fall of 1844 he went to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where, during a stay
of three or four months, he underwent three fevers, and was compelled
to borrow money to defray the expenses of his homeward passage.
After some ten years at the carpenter and joiner trade, in the counties of

732 . HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Bureau and La Salle, he left these parts for the pineries of Wisconsin,
Being a '' down-easter," he was an unusually valuable man to handle a
team in the timber. On one occasion ten men with five yoke of oxen
tried in vain to haul out a heavy balance-beam. Bunker took the same
team and only one man, and in two hours accomplished the task. He
was there some three years. It was about 1858 that he came to his
land in Lee county, where he still resides. The farm comprises 168
acres just at the edge of the grove; two overflowing perennial springs
render it a valuable stock farm. On December 27, 1861, he was mar-
ried to Cordelia N. Bryant, sister of Hon. O. W. Bryant. They have
three children : Sarah A., born August 5, 1862 ; William E., July 24,
1866, and Lillie A,, April 2, 1870. He is a republican, and never
known to be " on the fence." He and his wife are membei's of the Free
Baptist church at Four-Mile Grove.

John M. Jacoby, farmer and stock raiser. Paw Paw Grove, born
at Franklin county, Pennsylvania, June 27, 1822, was the son of John
and Mary (Mace) Jacoby. In his thirteenth year he was bereft of a kind
and tender mother. At twenty-one he went to the carpenter's trade,
and in winter evenings also taught music, thus following both till after
his marriage, March 6, 1848, to Miss Cynthia J., daughter of Francis
T, JSTeir, of Shippensburg, Cumberland county, Pennsj'lvania. In 1851
they moved to Peoria, Illinois ; was there a year, at Peru the next year,
and at Princeton two years, then moved to their present farm at the
northeast corner of Four-Mile Grove. Here, by hard labor well ap-
plied, Mr. Jacoby has made a good farm. It contains 250 acres, and
is well adapted for stock raising. The buildings are first-class, and the
indications of well-directed husbandry appear on every hand. They
have three children : John Edgar, a farmer on the Mendota road ;
Francis S. and May Bell, both at home. For twenty years he has
been a member of the Wyoming Presbyterian church at Cottage Hill.
He is a democrat and a union man most emphatically.

Heney Lewis, liveryman, Paw Paw, was born in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, April 17, 1828. His father, Henry, was a carpenter by
trade, but in quite limited circumstances, so that the subject of our
sketch had little or no schooling. Indeed, at twenty-one he was hardly
able to write his own name. Since then, however, he has learned to
read quite well, and is said to be well versed in the scriptures. In
1850 he was married to Jane Taylor. In 1851 they moved to Seneca
county, Ohio, and next year to Miami county, where he farmed till
1856, when they emigrated to Illinois. In the spring of 1857 he
bought a fiirm of eighty acres near Twin Groves; this he still owns.
His wife died in 1874. His second wife was Elizabeth Fisk, of Malu-
gin's Grove. In 1878 he bought out Charles Pulver, since which time

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. . 733

he has been in the livery business at Paw Paw, doing a good business.
Since his second marriage three children have blessed their home :
Raymond, William Henry, and Caroline.

Geoege W. Lindsey, Paw Paw Grove, a practical butcher of
remarkable experience, with an established reputation for all depart-
ments of his business. Born at Attica, Wyoming county, New York,
April 12, 1843, the eldest son of George W. and Rhoda (Hamlin)
Lindsey, our subject started for himself in the meat and stock business
at the age of twenty, in Walworth county, Wisconsin. He was mar-
ried September 24, 1863, to Elizabeth M. Phillips. In 1865 he changed
the base of his operations to Whitehall, Michigan, thence in 1867 to
the plains of Texas, where, in the cattle trade, he failed and lost every-
thing, save his indomitable, restless spirit. On Christmas-day, 1869,
he came to Paw Paw, and the next spring again engaged in the butcher
business. Two years later he built the first market ever put up in this
village. After a stay of about four years at Paw Paw he went to
Chicago into the live stock commission business, and opened two mar-
kets, one at the corner of Thirty-first street and Indiana avenue, the other
at Forty-third and Halsted streets. Of this experience he says, " Too
many irons in the fire lost." Not discouraged, on March 15, 1876, he
started for the Black Hills, arriving May 4, and leaving there Septem-
ber 20 for Paw Paw, bringing with him eighteen j^ounds avoirdujyois
weight of native gold. He immediately built his dwelling-house on
maple street, and erected a brick building on Main street opposite the
Detamore House, for a market. Selling the latter to B. J. Wheeler,
away he goes to the San Juan valley, secures a joint interest with
Lester Potter, of Paw Paw, in three dififerent mines; returns, buys the
market he now occupies, and opens again in his regular business. One
year later the western fever attacks him again, and away to Idaho and
Montana, whence, after a six-weeks' stay, he returns again from this
his latest and tenth trip across the plains. He sa3's " to Alaska will
be his next journey." Mr. Lindsey has surely heeded the advice of
Horace Greeley — " Go West " ; but contrary to Poor Richard's say-
ing about the rolling stone gathering no moss, his business is simply
immense. Mr. Lindsey was married September 24, 1863, to Elizabeth
M. Phillips. Their two children are Edwin Gallaway and Nellie
Gertrude. He is a Mason and a democrat.

William M. Geddes, editor and proprietor of tiie Paw Paw
"Herald," inherits both linguistic taste and mechanical genius from his
father, Robert Geddes, of Araboy, a man proficient in the use of six
languages, and for twenty years master mechanic in the employ of the
Illinois Central Railroad Company. With such a parentage, we are
not surprised to find the subject of our sketch at the printer's case at

734 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

fourteen, and in the editorial chair at twentj-one. William was the
fourth child in a family of seven children, all of whom and both parents
are still living. Zanesville, Ohio, was his birthplace and August 21,
1856, his birthday. But that same year the family moved to Amboy,
Illinois. At eleven William entered the high school, and at fourteen
the office of the Amboy " Journal," So small of stature was he that
he had to stand on a box a foot and a half high to reach the case, yet
in two montlis' time he was able to take the case of a regular journey-
man printer, and in six months, instead of getting boys' pay, he re-
ceived good printers' wages. He was in this office some four years,
while it was owned successively by Corbus & Stimpson, William Par-
ker, and William H. HaskelL Close application beginning to tell on
his health, he clerked a few months for W. B. Andrus & Son. Back
again at the "Journal " office, he was about this time laying his plans
for his business career, and we are not surprised tliat he determined to
invest first in education. As a student he was an indefatigable worker.
After drinking from the Pierian spring as deeply as his means would
allow, he came to Paw Paw in February 1878, and purchased the
" Herald " office from its founder, K. H. Euggles. April 14, 1880, he
married Jennie M. Parker, daughter of his former employer, William
Parker. That Mr. Geddes found a helpmeet indeed, may be infei-red
from the fact that her ancestry on both sides for generations back were
printers. Her father is well known as a veteran in the editorial corps,
and she herself is not unacquainted wath the art of successfully using
the pen and the scissors. For three years she was a teacher in the
Mendota High School. When Mr. Geddes assumed the management
of the office at Paw Paw, the "Herald" was in its infancy and with
less than one hundred subscribers, but the books now show 900 sub-
scribers, and the prospect is good for 1000 at the beginning of the
year 1882.

James W. Mayor, harness-maker and dealer, Paw Paw Grove,
born at Dayton, Ohio, May 1, 1850, is the only son of William and
Sarah (Seville) Mayor. In the spring of 1855 his parents brought liim
to Paw Paw, Illinois, where all the surviving members of the family
still reside. His father, sensible of his own lack of early advantages,
was anxious his son should have a good, substantial education, and
kept him at tlie Paw Paw school till he was fifteen. But James de-
veloped a mechanical turn of mind, so at fifteen he began learning
harness-making, continuing his studies at school in the winter seasons.
In this way he is said to have made very commendable progress. In
the fall of 1869 he bought out the business, and has since carried it on
in his own name. He is doing a good business for a place of this size,
receiving orders from those who know his work, as far away as Iowa,

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. ^35

Nebraska, and California. October 17, 1870, he was married to Juli-
ett Madison, youngest daughter of James and Mary Madison, of Paw
Paw, Illinois. They have had four children : Jessie Yiola (deceased),
Harry Edgar, Elmer A. and Genevieve. He is an Odd-Fellow, has
passed through all the offices in Anchor Lodge, is now its representa-
tive to the Grand Lodge, and is also chief patriarch in Paw Paw En-
campment. Polities, republican, in faith and practice.

Wilson C. Bryant, eldest son of Hon. Obed W. and Lucy (Lind-
sey) Bryant, was born at Four-Mile Grove, in La Salle county,
November 26, 1843. Was there about ten years, till his parents
moved just across the line into Lee county, to a farm at the northeast
corner of the same grove. He attended school in the home dis-
trict, at Lee Center, at Mendota, and in the winter of 1864-5 at
Wasioja, Minnesota. He also taught several terms. In 1869 he pur-
chased the Burrill farm on Cottage Hill, in Wyoming township. On
March 12, 1872, he was married to Terressa A. Blee. Wilson C.
Bryant and his excellent wife are very nicely fixed on a beautiful farm
on Cottage Hill, amid groves and hedges, and with a pleasing prospect
around and before them. Wilson C. Bryant is the eldest son of Hon.
Obed W. Bryant. His mother was Lucy Lindsey. He was born
November 26, 1843, at Four-Mile Grove, near the county line, but in
La Salle county. He was there about ten years, till his parents moved
across the line into Lee county to a farm at the northeast corner of the
same grove. His school advantages were quite good. He attended
more or less at Lee Center, Mendota, and Wasioja, Minnesota. He
also taught a few terms. Finally, in 1869, he purchased his present
farm, known as the Burrill farm, and on March 12, 1872, was married
to Terressa A. Blee, also of Cottage Hill. Joseph M. Blee, her father,
is reputed to have been one of the best men ever in Wyoming. His
death, on January 16, 1873, was caused by injuries received but a few
hours before by being thrown from a wagon. He came to Cottage
Hill in 1855; was a native of Pennsylvania.

Pierce & Barringer, druggists, are the gentlemanly proprietors
of the Palace drug-store. The firm is composed of Philip S. Pierce
and William H. Barringer. Mr. Pierce is an enterprising farmer and
stock raiser. He was born in East Paw Paw, De Kalb county,
October 8, 1847, and is the son of Charles, who settled near Paw Paw
Grove in 1845. On February 20, 1869, Mr. Pierce was married to
Miss Addie E. Barringer, daughter of John Barringer. He remained on
his father's place until November 1874, when he came to the Nettleton
farm, which he now owns. This is situated in Sec. 35, Willow Creek
township, and comprises 145 acres of choice land, well improved. One
of the principal improvements is the substantial barn, 30x50, with

736 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

22-foot posts, erected the present season. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have
three children : William Evert, Mary A. and Philip U. The junior
partner, William H. Barringer, is one of the young business men of
whom Paw Paw is justly proud. He was born at Poss' Grove, De
Kalb county, September 30, 1850, and the eldest of three children of
Jolm H. and Delia (Mulford) Barringer. Both of his ])arents died in
the year 1854:, when AVilliara was but four years old. His grand-
mother Barringer took the three little orphans to her home in Paw
Paw and brought them up. AVilliam was with her twelve years at
this place, then eight j^ears with her at East Paw Paw. During these
j^ears he had made good use of his time both at school and on the farm
in vacations. In 1874 they moved to a farm near Smith's Grove, and
the following year he spent in Kansas. In the spring of 1881 he united
in partnership with Mr. Pierce, as successors to the firm of Palmer &
Stetler, in the drug business, the duties of which mainly devolve on
Mr. Barringer.

Elijah Swakthout, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, was born August
16, 1820, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvauia, and son of Joshua and
Elizabeth (Yan Loon) Swarthout. The name Yan Loon traces back
to original settlers on the Hudson. His grandparents on his father's
side were from Holland. Elijah was the oldest of a family of eleven
children, and brought up on a farm of 200 acres, he naturally became
inured to those habits essential to a good farmer. He was also counted
good as a scholar for the time and place. He remained on the old
homestead till he was twenty-eight. December 25, 1848, he was mar-
ried to Sarah E. Brown, daughter of Solomon Brown, of the same
place. In the spring of 1856 they emigrated to Illinois, and pur-
chased ninety acres of the old Russell Town farm west of Paw Paw.
This he sold in 1861, when he bought eighty acres in Sec. 6, and in
1870 another form just west of the village, and in 1877 added to his
real-estate acquisitions the tine property on Grummond street, where
he now resides. He was in company with his son-in-law, James H.
Thompson, five years, ending July 15, 1881. He was Methodistically
inclined, in politics a democrat, and was a charter member of the
Wyoming Grange. In 1880 a promising son, Frank M., died of con-
sumption at the age of twenty-two. He has four children living:
Catharine J., Mrs. James H. Thompson ; Clarrissa, Mrs. B. J. Wheel-
er ; Rasselas, and Solomon Brown, His estimable wife died September
11, 1881, after a lingering illness of nearly a 3'ear.

W. C. RuNYAN, clerk, Paw Paw Grove, son of Joshua and Eliza-
beth (Swisher) Runyan, M^as born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania,
April 15, 1829, and with them moved to Lycoming county in 1833.
In the spring of 1850 he, with his parents, moved to ^""orthumberland

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 737

county, where his father died in the fall of 1853. In October, 1854, he
was married to Clara MeKnight, of Montour county, and the follow-
ing spring they moved to Lee county. Here he rented land from time
to time in different parts of the county. His wife died Januar}^ 19,
1859. In the spring of 1860, at Meriden, Illinois, he was married to
Mrs. Martha Litts, daughter of Abraham Rosenkrans, of Wj^oming
township. In the spring of 1863 he bought a farm near Franklin
Grove, but sold it in the spring of 1866, and bought in Wyoming two
miles south of Paw Paw. His health failing in 1871, he was com-
pelled to desist from all labor. In April, 1873, he engaged in the
mercantile business at Paw Paw, continuing till December 1879. In
January, 1881, he commenced clerking for L. Potter & Co. From the
age of eighteen Mr. Runyan was a member of tlie Baptist church. For
the past five years he has held a prominent position in the Lee county
Sabbath-school work. He has two daughters, Elizabeth C. and Lydia.
William Mekrell, senior partner in tlie firm of Merrell & Co.,
Paw Paw Grove, was born November 29, 1829, in Canton, Hartford
county, Connecticut. His parents were Capt. Alanson and Lucy L.
(Mills) Merrell, and his grandfather was a revolutionary soldier. After
the usual schooling, supplemented by a term at East Hampton, Massa-
chusetts, he was married, November 28, 1848, to Louisa A. Daniels,
of Canton, and in 1851 moved to Steuben county, New York, where
he followed farming and lumbering. Volunteering in 1862, he was
mustered in as 1st lieutenant of Co. D, 141st reg. New York Inf.; was
promoted to the captaincy in July 1863 ; to the office of major in
1864; was acting-colonel under Sherman on the march to the sea, the
campaign of the Carolinas, and ihe final march to Washington, where
he was mustered out. He was in about fifteen general engagements
and skirmishes, including Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Resaca,
New Hope Church, — a hard battle at arms' length, — and Kennesaw
Mountain. For one hundred days was either in engagements or under
fire on the skirmish line. Of the entire regiment, when it came out
of the noted battle of Peach Tree creek, there remained to report for
duty only Capt. Merrell, a Capt. Baldwin and one lieutenant, of all
the field and line officers, and but sixty-one privates. Moving west in
1866, he farmed fourj^ears in Lake county and five years near East Paw
Paw, when, in 1875, entered into copartnership with John Edwards
and Henry Goodyear under the firm name Wm. Merrell & Co., and
engaged in general merchandising at West Paw Paw. The next year
this firm erected the Centennial block. In 1878 Mr. Merrell sold his
interest to Goodyear and moved to Kansas; returned the following
year and renewed possession of the farm he had previously sold ; in
the fall of 1880 united in copartnership with P. N. Edwards and Will-

738 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

iam Siglin, under the firm name William Merrell & Co. Mr. and
Mrs. Merrell have three children : Henry William, Yiola Louise, and
Frank Warren. The entire family united with the Methodist Episco-
pal chui-ch in 1866. Frank is now taking a college and theological
course at Evanston, Illinois. Like most soldiers, Mr. Merrell is repub-
lican.

Henry H. Harrington, justice of the peace of the town of Wyo-
ming, and dealer in groceries, crockery, china and glassware. Paw Paw
Grove, youngest son of Amasa and Annie (Arnold) Harrington, was
born at Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, New York, February 9,
184:1, and with the family moved to Paw Paw in fall of 1843. Till
fourteen he was subject to a lung difficulty that confined him at home,
hence his primary ec^ucation was received from his mother. But this
was necessarily quite limited, so much so that at the age of sixteen, on
entering the intermediate department of Prof. Perrin's school at Paw
Paw, he for the first time studied arithmetic, geography, and grammar.
His progress was rapid, however, for at the end of two years he was
appointed as teacher in the department which he had first entered, at
the same time continuing his studies in the high school department.
Meanwhile his health had rapidly improved till at the date alluded to
he was strong and rugged. He taught school in Lee and Ogle coun-
ties most of the time till 1865, then went to Chicago and graduated at
Eastman's Commercial College. He followed teaching and writing
in law and in abstract offices in Ogle county till the fall of 1869, when
he went to Ohio and was married to Amelia P. Hosmer, of Parkman,
Geauga county, New York, daughter of Sylvester B. and Mary (Fos-
ter) Hosmer (deceased). Here he remained six years on his wife's
farm. In 1875 he moved to Paw Paw and purchased the store and
dwelling-house combined, which he has since occupied. He joined
the Methodist Episcopal church in the winter of 1876, under the pas-
torate of Rev. J. Hartman, since which time he has been a consistent
member and church-laborer, holding the office of recording steward
and secretary of the board of trustees. He was elected justice of the
peace in 1877 and reelected in 1881. He is a republican and a Mason,
and a strong advocate of temperance. The three children are Mary
Maud Anna, Madge Amelia, and Hosmer Hartman.

T. H; Stetler, physician and surgeon. Paw Paw Grove, son
of John Stetler, was born at Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Penn-
sylvania, August 6, 1847. The district school, high school and acad-
emy each in turn contributed to his literary education till the fall of
1867, when he came west to Malugin's Grove, Illinois. Taught school
that winter at Adrian's school-house, the next winter at the Ed-
monds school-house, and the next three years at the Grove. He now

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 739

began the study of materia medica and chemistry with view to fitting
for the medical profession, and in the fall of 1872, in company with
Dr. Palmer, engaged in the drug business. He sold out in the spring
of 1874, and in the fall began taking lectures at the Chicago Medical
College ; graduating there March 21, 1876, he settled down in the
practice of medicine at Paw Paw. That one so young should think
to compete for a share of the practice in a place where inefficiency and
quackery would never be tolerated, and with physicians of age, experi-
ence and established reputation, is evidence of his confidence in the
genuineness of his qualifications, and his practice, already quite exten-
sive, shows that the people are partakers of that confidence. Decem-
ber 31, 1870, he was married to his estimable wife, Libbie Rosencrans,
youngest daughter of Abram and Elizabeth Rosencrans, who has
contributed largely to his success in life. Dr. Stetler was raised a
Mason in Brooklyn Lodge in 1870, and became a member of Corinth-
ian Lodge, ISTo. 205, in 1873. He is now secretarj^ of this lodge. In
1873 he was made a Royal Arch Mason in Rochelle Chapter. The
doctor is a communicant in the Presbyterian church of Paw Paw, and
superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He is a man of decidedly
republican views, and an earnest worker in the party.

George T. Noe, farmer. Steward, son of Cummings Noe, was born
on the farm at present owned by B. F. Ellsworth, formerly the early
homestead of his parents. May 21, 1855. He attended the district
schools of the neigliborhood, and finished his studies in the Western
College in Lynn county, Iowa. On March 5, 1878, he was married to
Mrs. Caroline Yetter, daughter of Gotleib Hochstrasser. These parents
have two children : Eda Levilla and Mary Martha. Mrs. Noe is a
member of the Evangelical church, and Mr. Noe belongs to the United
Brethren, and is a republican.

B. J. Wheeler, proprietor of Oak Grove Creamery and Clieese
Factory, Paw Paw Grove, was born near Bangor, Maine, May 14,
1837. His parents, Jacob and Martha (Drake) Wheeler, had their
home three miles from the nearest school-house, and bears being nu-
merous in that region young Wheeler was prevented from receiving
early instruction in the schools. About 1845 the family came west
and settled at I^auvoo, in this state, and a few years later removed to
Paw Paw Grove, where the subject of this notice attended the South
Side High School one year. His father in 1851 purchased from John
Pelcher 100 acres of land, the same on which his creamery is now sit-
uated. This finally passed from his father's ownership, and several
times changed hands until it was at last bought by Mr. Wheeler. In
1856 our subject went to Minnesota, and was engaged three years in
farming, peddling, and other pursuits. In 1859, having returned to

740 . HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Illinois, he set out iinmediatel}^ for California, and engaged in mining
in Plumas county. After three years' steady employment at this busi-
ness he went to freighting supplies from Marysville to Humboldt val-
ley, a distance of 300 miles, fort}^ being across a desert. Prices charged
for everything seem incredible. Potatoes sold at the mines for $15 per
bushel, and Mr. Wheeler received $8.40 for the hauling. For hay to
feed his team over night he paid at one time $90. The transporting
of one load brought him $1,800. Once just before reaching the end
of his route an axle broke and he had to go forward to get it repaired.
Tins occupied half an hour and cost $20. When he returned he got
three Indians to help him change his load, in which were fifteen pounds
of fish4iooks, and $1,800 of county scrip in a small yeast can. After
resuming his way he missed his hooks and scrip, and returning to the
river where about 100 Indians were encamped, was not able to per-
suade them to give up the plunder. He subsequently obtained a re-
issue of the scrip. He remained in California four years, and on his
return purchased the farm on which he is now living. Here he en-
gaged in farming, trading, shipping stock, and making brick. On
January 1, 1873, he was married to Clara Swarthout, daughter of
Elijah and Elizabeth Swarthout, of Paw Paw. In 1874 he bought the
grist-mill at the grove, and in 1877 traded it to Frank Nickey for the
store now owned by George Lindsey, and the stock of hardware which
it contained. The latter he sold to H. M. Wilson in July, 1879, and
the same year took a trip with his famil}^ through Idaho, Utah and
California, consuming four months in this journey. A drive of 300
miles behind a mule team was included in their experiences. If it was
tedious it did not wholly fail of being ludicrous. Mrs. Wheeler says
the mules were exasperatingly slow, unless the driver was drunk. She
was the only lady passenger among fourteen men. The bottle of ex-
hilarating fluid never went dry, and her thoughtful fellow-travelers
proffered it with religious constancy whenever it went around. Mr.
Wheeler erected the Oak Grove Creamery and Cheese Factory in 1880.
This represents an industry of prime importance in Wyoming town-
ship, and b}^ his enterprise he has added not a little to the material
prosperity and consideration of the community. He is a I'epublican
and an Odd-Fellow. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have had three children :
Addie Kyle, Frank, and one " over the river."

A. G. Fowler, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, eldest son of Noah and
Polly (Whitaker) Fowler, was born at Cambridge, New York, March
3, 1826. The most of his schooling was obtained in the three last
winters of his minority, and he made so good use of his meager privi-
leges, and such progress in his studies, that he qualified himself to be
a teacher and was employed in that capacity three years. In 1851 he

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 741

spent six months in the State of Virginia. In the summer of 1853 he
came to Illinois and settled at West Aurora, and had his home in that
vicinity six years. Being a man of large ingenuity, to whom the use
of tools is a natural gift, he worked successively in the sash factory,
reaper shop, and as a carpenter on the depot and other buildings of the
Ciiicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. This road was constructed
to Mendota the year of his arrival. While living here he was married,
, February 19, 1856, to Kancy B. Deuel, of his native town of Cam-
bridge. From Aurora Mr. Fowler moved to Waterman, De Kalb
county, where he lived six years farming and holding office. He was
constable four years and collector two terms. In the spring of 1865
he came to South Paw Paw, and the next year occupied his present
farm. He has 10 acres whose productiveness is recognized as consid-
erably above the average. Deacon Fowler is a leading fruit-grower in
this part of the country. He is a consistent and prominent member
of the Baptist church of Paw Paw, and has filled the office of deacon
nearly a dozen years. Politically he was first a "silver gray" whig,
whatever that may have been, and is now a supporter of republican
principles. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have three children, Mary, Isaac L.,
and Lois, all at home.

Jesse Brittain, deceased, was a man of a limited education, eco-
nomical in his habits and possessed of a marked degree of energy. His
untiring industry and good management resulted in a competence for
himself and a considerable estate for his heirs. He was born August
8, 1808, in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. In early manhood he
was employed mainly in lumbering. In 1829 he was married to Miss
Margaret Lemons, of Muncie, in the same state. In 1810 he moved to
Beaver, on the Ohio below Pittsburgh, returning in 1813. He built
himself a saw-mill and followed lumbering till the summer of 1850,
when he came west and settled at Cottage Hill, in Wyoming township.
Here he resided till his death, in 1875. His widow, after a happy com-
panionship of nearly fifty years, is with his son, John T., on the old
homestead. The following were the children : Charles W., John T.,
Lavina, Sarah (deceased), George (killed at the battle of Perrysville,
October 8, 1862), and Zebreth, now farming at Racebnrg, on the Sol-
omon river, in Kansas. The eldest son, Charles, was always fond of
travel, and gratified this taste in a large measure. He joined Col. As-
pinwall's company, which built the Panama railroad, and from the
isthmus went to San Francisco in 185L He worked in the diggings
until the discovery of gold in Australia, in 1854, when he repaired to
that distant land, and during his travels visited Yan Dieman's land
and most of the islands in the Pacific ocean. He returned to Cali-
fornia and went to work again in the mines. When Montana began

742 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

to excite notice he was attracted there by the supposed inducements of
that fresli field of discovery, and when last heard from was on liis way
to Alaska. John, too, seems to have had a love of change and inci-
dent, but this partook quite largely of the business character. At the
age of twenty-one he left New York, April 5, 1854, for California via
Aspinwall and Panama and landed in San Francisco May 1 ; followed
mining and prospecting for mines for twelve years, mostly in the coun-
ties of Mariposa, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Klamath. He took part,
in several of the mining excitements, particularly the Silver Mountain
and Frazer river mines in British Columbia in the year 1858. He re-
sided a short time at Victoria, on Van Couver's island, located at Hum-
boldt baj' in California, and followed ranching from 1866 to 1870, when
he returned by rail. In his individual enterprises he was usually suc-
cessfal, but he lost heavily at times by stock company investments.
He now resides on the homestead at Cottage Hill, and owns a 160-
acre farm in Viola.

Charles Pierce, farmer and stock raiser. Paw Paw Grove, was
born in Pennsylvania, February 3, 1813, followed the business of
moulder in a foundry some years at Kingston, Pennsylvania, came
west to Paw Paw township, arriving September 17, 1845, and moved
to Wyoming November 15, 1856. He has erected several buildings,
and is now the owner of several farms. He i-esides on the "Bogus"
Gates place, but a few rods from the site of the old pioneer cabin of
David A. Town, built in 1834. He has been twice married ; his first
wife was a Goodwin ; by her he had three children : Thomas J., born
August 16, 1836; John, born September 15, 1838, and George S., born
January 22, 1841. On February 10, 1842, he was married to Cath-
arine Sine; they have six children: Everett, born March 28, 1843,
Emma S., May 17, 1845, Philip S., October 8, 1847, Mary A., Novem-
ber 11, 1850, Florence, December 29, 1852, Maria O., June 16, 1855.
Philip owns a good farm in Willow Creek township, and is partner in
the firm of Pierce & Barringer, at Paw Paw.

James H. Thompson, dealer in general merchandise, Paw Paw, is
the son of William and Nancy (Hai'diug) Thompson, and was born in
Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, April 8, 1843. His father died when
James was but four years old. When eight 3^ears of age he came with
his mother to Paw Paw, and was educated in the graded school of the
three Paw Paws. In 1855 his mother married John Colvill, with
whom James has remained to this date, except when in the service of
his country. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. K, 75th reg. 111. Vols., under
Capt. Geo. Ryan, and during his three years' service was never out of
the rebel confederacy. He was in action at Perryville, Stone Kiver,
Chickamauga, and Lookout Mountain, and while on a reconnoissance at

_^^ ^, /2U/^

WYo:\ri]srG township. 745

Tunnel Hill, February 25, 1864, a singular accident befell him. At the
top of Rocky Face Ridge, a tree a foot througli was shot oif at the
height of forty feet and fell with terrible force upon him, crushing his
musket in three pieces and almost fatally w^ounding him. Fortunately
he recovered and was with his regiment on the Atlanta campaign.
Being a clerkly penman he was detailed to a clerical position in the
inspector-general's office. A testimonial from Capt. Nelson G.
Franklin, acting assistant inspector general, speaks in nnequivocal
terms of Mr. Thompson. It is dated at JSTashville, June 12, 1865, and
says, " He has performed his duties in my office satisfactorily, and
though complicated and arduous as the work has been, he has
gained for himself an excellent name as a business man, and won the
upbounded respect of all with whom he has had official relations." On
his return from the army he farmed awhile, and in 1869 united in
copartnership with Mr. Colvill, In 1875 they sold out to William
Merrell & Co., and Mr. Thompson moved onto his farm, which he had
purchased two years before from Isaac Harding. In the fall he took
charge of the clothing store here owned by Metz & Jackson, of Amboy,
and in the spring of 1876 engaged in business for himself in the Col-
vill building. He is one of the school trustees of the town of Wyo-
ming, has served as collector, has been at the head of most of the
republican movements, and at the present time is a member of the Lee
county central committee. He has been repeatedly solicited to accept
a nomination for county office, but his business preventing he has con-
stantly declined. He is a member of Anchor Lodge, I.O.O.F. On
March 28, 1867, he was married to Miss Catharine J. Swarthout,
eldest daughter of Elijah J. Swarthout, of Paw Paw.

JoHi«r Allex, mechanic. Paw Paw Grove, was born in Hartford,
Maine, July 13, 1813. His grandfather, Thomas Allen, deserted the
British army on the northern frontier in the time of the revolution,
and had several dangerous escapes from capture, while under pursuit,
by the red-coats. At one time his pursuers passed the house in which
he was concealed, and at another crossed over the bridge beneath
which he was hiding. Making his way to Machias, Maine, he took up
his residence there, and was one of the first six residents in the place.
He was chosen town clerk and sino^ino- teacher, and in course of time
was called to other posts of influence and respectability. He reared
a son, John Allen, who became the father of eight children. From
the notes at command the writer is unable to mention more than three
of these, John, Thomas and Benjamin, the first the subject of this
sketch. The last two were for a long time in the service of presidents
John Adams and John Quincy Adams, Thomas being employed by
the two seven years. Among a number of presents bestowed upon
44

746 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

these men by the elder Adams was a trunk which he had carried with
him to Europe when abroad as a i-epresentative of the United States.
This was a sacred souvenir of him whose lips of burning patriotism
whispered at the portal of death the glorious words, " Independence
forever." John Allen lived in Maine until he was eighteen ; he then
went to Boston, and soon after embarked on the ocean and was en-
gaged in sea-taring nearly eight years. After this he worked a year
or two in a last factory in Boston, and in 1840 emigrated to Ohio and
hired out to a Mr. Gunn, a man of Scotch lineage, to work on his
farm. On July 25 he was married to his employer's danghter, Sophia
Gunn. Three years afterward Mr. Allen returned to Boston with his
family and went to work again in the last factory, where he continued
to be employed ten years. In 1855 he moved west, settled in Willow
Creek township, and farmed four 3'ears. He next brought his family
to Paw Paw, where they have resided np to the present time. For
awhile he was engaged in carpentering; then in 1860 he joined the
rush to Pike's Peak, but soon returned without improving his fortune.
In 1862, being forty-eight years of age and legally exempt from
military duty, he nevertheless heard the call of father Abraham for
three hundred thousand more, and not able to shut his heart to the
appeal of his country in the crisis of her peril he enlisted in Capt.
Cogswell's Independent Illinois Battery of Light Artillery, and was
attached to the war-worn 15th Army Corps. The service bore heavily
upon him, and it was not long till he was obliged to come home to
recruit his health. When he repaired again to the army he took with
him his son Horace, who was mustered into the United States service
at Springfield, in 1861. Taken suddenly ill once more, our subject
was sent home to receive that care and nursing so sadly wanting in
the army, and while there his son, only seventeen, was killed hy the
explosion of a caisson. His remains are interred at Huntsville, Ala-
bama, Mr. Allen returned to his command, and served the remainder
of his term of three years. During most of the time he was serving
on detail as artificer. Having returned to civil pursuits, he nearly
lost his life by falling thirty feet from a barn he was building to the
ground. In 1870 Mr, and Mrs, Allen made public profession of re-
ligion, and are now members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
They have five living children, three of whom have also arrived at a
saving knowledge of divine truth. T. T. Allen is in Kansas, Charles
H. and Eugene are at Paw Paw, Weltha is married and living at
Piano, and Eugenia is at home with her mother. Mr. Allen has
twice been collector of Wyoming township. In 1877 he went into
the manufacture of the Excelsior spring-bed bottom, and was agent for

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. T47

the sale of it in Illinois. He has made one trip to California and four
to Kansas, where he now is improving a permanent home.

Mrs. Susan P. Detamore, proprietor of tlie Detamore House, Paw
Paw, was a native of Pownal, Bennington county, Vermont, and the
youngest child of Jedediah and Tameson Foster. Her parents came
to Paw Paw Grove in 1847, but on the way out here she stopped at
Eaton, Ohio, and was there through all the fearful scourge of the
cholera two years later. Just as this was abating, in September, she
was married to David Detamore, whose father and mother, Jacob and
Sophia Detamore, and brothers and sisters had all been carried off by
this terrible disease. While living here the only child they ever had,
Mary E. Detamore, now the wufe of Dr. Thomas D. Palmer, was born,
and when they emigrated to Paw Paw, in 1851, she was six months
old. On their arrival Mr. Detamore bought the property where the
Detamore H[ouse has always stood, and as there was a growing demand
for hotel accommodations, they at once opened their doors to entertain
the public. In a short time their business had so increased that they
were compelled to enlarge their house. In 1850 Mr. Detamore sold
the property and gave a bond for a deed. A long and expensive con-
test in the courts ensued, in the midst of which, in 1859, Mr. Detamore
sickened and died. The heavy costs of this suit were paid by Mrs.
Detamore from keeping boarders in a little private house. Being de-
clared the rightful owner of the property, she returned to it in the
spring of 1861. Since then, with the exception of about a year that she
was east to give her daughter the benefits of school, she has remained
here continually, and has succeeded in securing a competenc}", and that
which she prizes as still more valuable, the respect and good-will of
her large circle of acquaintances. Mention was mada to the writer by
numerous citizens of the lively interest this lady had ever taken in the
welfare of the place, how she had sold lots at low rates, improved
buildings, and contributed generally to its growth and prosperity.

William M. Sproul, farmer, stock raiser and dairyman, Paw Paw
Grove, was born in Columbia county, Pennsjdvania, August 26, 1821,
and was the son of James C. and Euphemia (Marshall) Sproul. His
father was from Ireland, and a saddler by trade, followed mercantile
pursuits, and was prominent in business. His grandfather Marshall
served as a soldier in the revolution, and his mother was of Scotch-
Irish descent. William had fair educational advantages, and taught
school some four winter terms. On November 18, 1844, he was mar-
ried to Sarah A. McHard, and immediately settled down to farming on
his father's place. Two children were the fruits of this union ; one
died in 1847, the mother followed to the grave the next year, and the
other child was buried in 1854. Mr. Sproul took a second wife in the

748 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

person of Miss Charlotte J. Wilson, and the marriage rite was cel-
ebrated June 6, 1849. She was the danghter of Richard and Mary
(Durham) Wilson. Her grandmother, Margaret Durham, was the wife
of James Durham. Long years ago, when the great west, where we
now live, was the hunting ground of the savages, and the middle states,
some yet unsettled, were on the border, the Indians made an irruption
into Pennsylvania. The Durhams were living at the forks of the
Susquehanna when the settlement was invaded. As soon as the news
of danger reached the people they hurried off to the fort, the women
being sent in advance, and Mrs. Durham with a babe in her arms,
while the men delayed a little to look after matters. The latter, when
moving toward the same place, were attracted by the frantic demon-
strations of the lionse-dog, and on going to the spot indicated by his
intelligent manner they found Mrs. Durham lying in a shocking con-
dition, scalped and tomahawked, apparently beyond all possible hope
of recovery, though lingering signs of life might still be discovered.
At length, to their surprise she called for water ; this was brought in
a hat, and from this moment she clung to the last chance for life with
such restoring tenacity that her recovery was finally accomplished. To
add to her grief, her husband was taken prisoner by the Indians. A
silver plate mended her fractured skull, and she lived to become the
mother of six children. Mrs. Sproul well remembers her brave grand-
mother. About 1850 Mr. Sproul bought a farm in Pennsylvania; in
the spring of 1857 he sold it and emigrated to Illinois, settling in Wy-
oming township, where he purchased 210 acres in Sec. 27. A tract of
eighty acres was partially improved, the remainder was wild land.
The house then on the place has a history. It was built entirely of
hard wood, spiked together in the most substantial manner, and after
being several times moved to different localities has probably found a
permanent stopping-place in Paw Paw, where it is owned and occu-
pied for a residence by John Briggs, being evidently improved by its
itinerancy. Mr. Sproul has a neatly improved and well stocked home-
stead, fenced M'ith growing hedges, which contains thrifty orchards and
good buildings. He is a first-class butter maker, and the products of
his dairy bring the highest prices in Baltimore, Philadelphia, St. Louis,
and New Orleans. He received the first premium at the Missouri
state fair, held in St. Louis in 1878. He gives most careful personal
attention to this business and liis abundant success is but the natural
result of his industry and good judgment. By his last marriage Mr.
Sproul has three children : Mary Jane, wife, of W. L. Shumaker, Eu-
phemia E., and Sarah Margaret, now Mrs. John R. Crandall, living in
Clay county, Kansas. Mr. Sproul is a democrat, and his whole family
belong to the Presbyterian church.

WrOMING TOWNSHIP. . 749

William Moffatt and Brother, farmers, importers and breeders
of stock, Paw Paw, were the sons of Joseph Moffatt, who was lost on
the steamship Canadian in the straits of Belle Isle, Jnne -l, 1861.
The steamer struck an iceberg and went down in forty-five minutes.
William was born in Ontario county, Canada, August 24, 1837, and
the mother died when he was five years old. There were three chil-
dren younger than he ; Robert and Mary Jane were twins, and the
latter died suddenly at the age of seventeen. After the death of the
mother the family remained together and labored in unity, and in this
way could help one another, making all more prosperous. The father
was a thrifty, energetic man, and left a farm for each of his children.
They all received a good education in the excellent common schools
of their native place. These brothers have been in company since
their arrival in the States, in March 1871, and have made a specialty
of breeding thoroughbred stock. They resided three years in Cuyahoga
county, Ohio, and in March, 1874, moved to this township, where they
purchased 430 acres of land. Their farm contains a number of com-
modious buildings adapted to their business. We noticed a barn 100
feet long, one building 40x60, and another 36x44. The latter is en-
larged by shed-roof additions. The Moffatt brothers keep an average
of tliirty-five horses, seventy -five head of cattle, and a choice herd of
Berkshire swine. They have imported eight horses the present season.
" Johnny Ladd," four years old, imported in 1880, \veighs nineteen
hundred pounds and is valued at $3,000. In 1878 they competed at
Freeport against fourteen herds and received the higliest premium.
Calves have been sold from their herd for $300 apiece, and their sales
of horses in the last year have amounted to more than $12,000, Rob-
ert was married October 23, 1860, to Annie E. Leming, of Yorkshire,
England. He is a member of Corinthian Lodge, ISo. 205, A.F. and
A.M and is a republican in sentiment, but has not yet taken his natu-
ralization papers. Robert Moffatt, the African missionary, was a
cousin to his father, and a daughter of the missionary was the wife of
Dr. Livingstone, the explorer.

John Buchanan, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, was born in Sterling-
shire, Scotland, December 15, 1815, and was the son of William and
Janet Buchanan. His father was a soldier in the English army; he
enlisted about the time of the battle of Waterloo for twenty-one years,
and served under Wellington, When seventeen years of his service
had expired he accepted the ofter of a discharge, accompanied with a
land warrant, instead of serving his full time and receiving a pension.
He was an excellent scholar and bookkeeper, and could have been pro-
moted to high positions but for the fatal habit of intemperance. The
subject of this notice was reared b}'' his grandparents, and when twenty-

750 . HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

one years old emigrated to Simcoe eonntj, Canada "West. He lived
there from 1830 to 1850 leading a backwoodsman's lite in tlie main,
driving ox-teams, and working with axe, auger, hoe, and chain imple-
ments. In 1850 he came to Wyoming township, accompanied by his
fathei-, and his brother William ; here he bought from the government
240 acres of land in Sees. 17 and 20, and began breaking and raising
crops. He still owns the same place, and all the improvements on it
are the work of his own hands. As illustrating the rapid growth in
value of real estate in this part of the country, and how men's wisdom
has been outdone by the prodigious improvement of recent years, it
may be mentioned as a curions fact that Mr, Buchanan was once of-
fered 160 acres of land adjoining his farm for $200, but supposing it
to be worthless refused to buy. The same land would now sell readily
for $50 an acre. Mr. Buchanan was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Wooley
September 15, 1855. Their children, four in number, are Janet, Will-
iam Henry, Mary, wife of Henry Calkins, and Charlie. Janet is af-
flicted with total deafness, but converses readily with her mother by
watching the movement of her lips. She is a read}^ writer, intelligent
and interesting, and has a large correspondence. Mr. Buchanan is a
democrat, and has been a Presb3'terian some twenty years. One after-
noon in 1860 his brother William took his fowling-piece and started
out to shoot a crane. He did not return when he ought, and a violent
thunderstorm having arisen in the meantime, it was supposed he had
taken shelter at a neighbor's, so no search was made. At length, how-
ever, he was found dead west of the house, and it was evident that he
had been accidentally shot while getting over a wire fence. The shock
was so great to his father that his feeble frame gave way and he died
the same week. Mr. Buchanan was now alone without a relative in
America, but being in a kind comnumity he has found the best of
friends.

John Harding, lunibei- dealer and justice of the peace, Paw Paw
Grove, was born in Exeter, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, August 1-1,
1831. At the age of sixteen he left home and entered a store as clerk
his employer giving him $96 a year, and by close economy' he managed
to attend school one term each twelvemonth. Afterward he obtained
a scholarship in the Wyoming Seminary, located at Kingston, in his
native state, and was in attendance there about three years. In 1851:
he was at the ISTew York Conference Seminary in Schoharie county.
All this time the voice of Horace Greeley was ringing in his ears, "Go
west, young man, go Avest," and in 1855 he left the Empire State to
seek his fortune in this section of the country. His journey terminated
in Wyoming township, where he engaged in teaching school south of
the grove. After a residence here of four years, he returned to the

WYo:\nNG TOWNSHIP. 751

bosom of his childhood, spending there his summers on the farm with
his father and mother, and his winters in pedagogy. In 1862 an un-
godly rebellion was scourging the land, and a pressing demand for help
came from Uncle Sam. Securing at once letters of introduction to
prominent men in Washington, he proceeded there in search of a posi-
tion on public works, and was attached to the engineer corps at Camp
Baker and Long Bridge. After nine months in that place he returned
home, and on July 21, 1864, was drafted, and on August 1 paid a
commutation of $300. On the 21:th he was mustered into the United
States service as recruiting officer of Pennsylvania volunteers, holding
the rank of second lieutenant. He mustered in seventy-three men ;
then went to Harrisburgh and was mustered first lieutenant of Co. G,
210th reg. Pa. Yols., and on September 15 he joined the 5th Corps
under command of Gen. Meade. He was in battle at the South Side
railroad October 28, and again February 1865, and was wounded while
commanding his company at Hatcher's Pun, February 6, by a musket
ball passing outward and backward through his right elbow joint.
Having received a furlough, he went home, but returned to the army
in time to witness the last gasp and to help close the eyes of the de-
funct slave-holding confederacy. His active military life ended on
May 18, 1865, when he was mustered out under general order !No. 82,
and special order No. 238, of the war department ; but he was present
at the grand reviews of the two armies of Meade and Sherman, which
occurred respectively on the 23d and the 24th. On his return from
the war, being solicited by his numerous friends in Luzerne county to
present himself as a candidate for assemblyman, he did so and received
almost the unanimous support of the convention, and became the
nominee. It was a democratic " deestrict " and he was defeated by a
majority for his opponent of 221 votes. Again the silvery voice of the
patriarchal Greele}^ resounded in his ears, and again his steps followed
the setting sun, and brought him to Wyoming township. At the close
of the war he received $1,705, which represented his savings, and on
reaching Paw Paw, in October 1865, he formed a partnership with
John Colvill, in the mercantile business. After about four years he
sold 'to his partner, and in 1872 began dealing in coal, lime, and agri-
cultural implements. In 1874 he bought the old store formerly used
by Colvill & Harding and moved it to a lot south of the highway,
with a view of fitting it up for an implement warehouse, but it was
demolished by a high wind, and he was forced to replace it with a new
structure, which he shortly after disposed of to W. C. Punyan. March
1, 1876, he united in a copartnership with L. Potter under the name
of Potter & Harding, and carried on the lumber business until Jan-
uary 1, 1880, when he bought his partners interest, and since that

T52 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

time has continned alone to deal in Iniiiber and plastering materials.
Mr. Harding stands prominently in the ranks of those who take a large
interest in the welfare of tlie town, and anything necessary to its de-
velopment never lags for lack of substantial encouragement from liim.
He has been useful to many who were endeavoring to secure perma-
nent homes, by selling them lumber on easy terms when they were
unable to pay cash. As the result of successful industry and economy
lie is the owner of considerable town property, and enjoys a good
home.

E. G. Cass, editor and proprietor of " The Lee County Times,"
Paw Paw Grove, is a native of Illinois, having been born on a
farm near Grand Detour, Ogle county, on October 14, 1858. His
parents, Jeramel and Sarah Maria (Grover) Cass, were born in Mary-
land, Otsego county, JSTew York; the former April 28, 1817, and the
latter June 26, 1822. In January, 1860, the family moved to Henrj'
county, and settled at Galva, where Mr. Cass received his first school-
ing. In 1867 they went to Dixon, and there the subject of this notice
attended the north side public school until November 20, 1870, and
being a ready pupil made rapid and solid advancement. Up to this
date his life had not been marked by incident, but being of an active
and industrious habit and turn of mind he cherished a desire for man-
ual as well as mental employment, and immediately went to work in
the printing-office of W. M. Kenned}^, of Dixon, and continued there
until September 1877. Daring the whole time he was not out of the
office two weeks, except for sickness, and now steady confinement and
want of recreation had so told upon his health that he was constrained
to quit work altogether for several months. In January, 1878, he
formed a partnership with J. 13. Gardner, and took control of " The
Paw Paw Herald," then the property of its founder, P. II. Ruggles,
of Mendota. Five weeks afterward the office was sold to its present
proprietor, and Messrs. Cass & Gardner, on March 21, issued the first
number of " The Lee Count}' Times." They also started the *' Comp-
ton Record." In May they began the publication of '' The Lee Moni-
tor," for the village of Lee. In August Mr. Gardner retired, and Mr.
Cass has since carried on the business alone. In April, ISSO, he com-
menced the issue of a paper for Earlville, called "The Leader." Mr.
Cass was but nineteen years old when he engaged here on his own
account ; and having readily worked up a large paying subscription
list is evidence that he has conducted his business with ability and
success. He is in high standing as a man and Mason. In 1880 he
was secretary of Corinthian Lodge, No. 205; in April, 1881, he re-
ceived the chapter degrees in Mendota, and was created a Sir Knight
of Bethany Commandery, No. 28, in the same place.

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 753

James Fonda, blacksmith and fanner, Paw Paw Grove, was born
at West Troy, New York, October 29, 1816. His parents, William
and Abigail Fonda, were both taken away, and James was left an
•orphan at nine years of age. His school privileges were so limited
that at eighteen he could read and write only Nvitli difficulty. After
four years' serving at the blacksmith's trade, he was married, in De-
cember of 1837, to Alsina Bacon, a well-educated lad}^, who greatly
assisted him. She died May 1, 1852, leaving six children. His sec-
ond wife was Jane E., daughter of John Hendricks, of Wayne county,
!N^ew York. At the date of his first marrias'e he was eio-ht dollars in
debt, but at the time of his second marriage he had saved up some
$2,500. This was the result of hard work at his trade. Branching-
out now he managed, besides his blacksmithing, a large fiirm and saw-
mill. In his heavy business he met some severe losses, but was in the
main successful. In 1867 he sold out, moved to Paw Paw Grove,
and bought what was known as the Christie farm, one of the oldest in
this region. He still owns this farm, now well known as " Fonda's
•Corner." Besides this he also owns property in the village where he
now resides. Mr. Fonda had two sons in the service of his country,
both in New York regiments. Fitch Fenton Fonda, the eldest son,
■enlisted, in 1861, in the 69th New York, was under Gen. Hancock,
and taken prisonera t Petersburg at the time of digging Dutch Gap
canal, and, after enduring the barbarities and untold sufiering of
Andersonville four and a half months, he was released from the tor-
tures of starvation by the silent messenger death. Edwin P. Fonda,
the second son, enlisted in the 147th New York, passed through a
severe run of typhoid fever, was severely wounded in the battles of the
Wilderness, under Warren, in Gen. Grant's campaign ; came home,
but returned again after partial recovery. Being a fine penman, he
was then detailed as secretary to the quartermaster, and served to the
■close of the war. He is now an engineer on the Union Pacific rail-
road, with his lieadquarters at Omaha. Another son, James H., is
ongineer on the same road, with his headquarters at North Platte.

Jacob Epla, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, son of John and Elizabeth
{Derr) Epla, was born in Pockingham county, Virginia, January 9,
1820. His father was a soldier in the last war with Great Britain.
His parents were poor, and there were no schools, except an occasional
one supported by subscription, but he made the most of his meager
opportunities and tolerable progress in the elementary studies, though
he was not a pupil between the ages of eleven and twenty-one. The
■clothing he wore in his boyhood, was all made from fiax raised by his
father, and wrought into cloth by the industrious and tireless hands of
his mother. He tells how in those daj's every girl had a spinning

754 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

wheel and went about to do work with it at 75 cents and $1 a week.
In September, 1S37, the subject of this sketch came to Champaign
county, Oliio, and liired out on a farm for $7 per month. In 18-10,
being vet six months in his minority, he paid his father $30 for this
time, and made, as he facetious!}^ says, $5 by the speculation, which
was his only capital at majority. He came with a younger brotiier on
foot to Terre Haute, Indiana, on September 1, 1840, where he hired
for a year to work on a farm. This was the hardest year's work he
ever did. Pie and his brother picked fifteen acres of corn, cleared and
fenced twenty-three acres of heavy timber and had 7,000 oak rails left,
cut sixty cords of wood, and burned 200,000 brick. The two following
3^ears he worked in the same neighborhood. He was married March
2, 1841, to Catherine Farnham, daughter of James Farnham, of Edgar
county, Illinois. He rented land, followed teaming, and bought forty
acres in the dense woods, clearing ten and building a cabin. Tliis
property he traded for a team in February 1845, and at once set out
for Lee county, Illinois. He rented from Charles Pelcher that year
the farm of 120 acres where the Oak Grove Creamery is situated, and
also received from the government a patent for forty acres of the farm
he now owns on Sec. 9, in Wyoming township. The cluster of hard
maples standing in his yard were set out by him the same season. His
present house was built about 1857. He enlarged his f^irm to 200
acres, but has conveyed forty of this to his son Josiah, who is occupy-
ing it. For six or seven years after coming to this county Mr. Epla
was engaged in teaming much of the time. He hauled wheat to Chi-
cago and sold it for 40 cents a bushel, and brought back goods and
lumber, which he says he has " hauled all over these prairies." In an
early day, about 1840, Mrs. Epla's brother started from Paris in Edgar
county, this state, for Paw Paw with a load of apples, and though
traced fifteen miles nothing was ever afterward heard of him. Mr.
and Mrs. Epla have been the parents of five children. They have
buried two, and the living ones are Sarah, wife of E. M. Babbitt; Jo-
siah, and Mary, now Mrs. Isaac Christie, of Iowa. Mr. Epla is a repub-
lican, and past-grand of Anchor Lodge, I.O.O.F.

Lester Harding, former, Paw Paw Grove, was born in Luzerne
county, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1815. He traveled through this
section of country and visited friends here in 1836 and again in 1839.
April 28, 1842, he was married to Miss Jcrusha Plall, daughter of Jon-
athan Hall, of his native county. In 1846 he moved from there with
his family, and was thirty-six days performing the journey. In passing
over nearly the same route since, by the improved means of travel,
which consumed only thirty-six hours, he could not refrain from notic-
ing the striking contrast, and reflecting on the wonders of the age in

WYOMING TOWNSHIP. 755

which we live. Mr. Harding's father, Isaac Harding, settled here a
year prior to his arrival, and purchased from the government 160 acres
in Sec. 9, Wyoming township. Sixty acres lying in the northwest
quarter he conveyed to our subject when he came, and this he still
owns and occupies. He built his house in 1848, hauling his lumber
from Chicago. Mr. Harding and his father both promptly acquired
high places in local influence and public confidence. The latter had
been here but a short time when he was elected to the responsible
office of county commissioner, and was a member of the court and as-
sisted to divide the county into townships, when that system of local
goverimient was adopted. Mr. Harding himself was the second sujier-
visor of Wyoming township, and held that trust five years. Besides
his services in that position he has filled every other township oflice.
In 1858 he was elected sherifi:' of Lee county, and discharged the duties
of that position three years. Politically Mr. Harding is a democrat,
and it is a fact worthy of remark that he and Judge Charters are the
only men of that persuasion who have been elected to a county office
in Lee county in twenty-two j-ears. In 1861 Mr. Harding went to
Colorado, and from thence in the spring of 1863 to Montana. In the
spring of 1865 he visited British Columbia, and arrived home in Octo-
ber after journeying sixty days. A mine which he sold for tBl^OOO, in
three months after the sale yielded $8,000. Mr. and Mrs. Harding
have had five children ; three are living and have their homes in Ne-
braska. One son and a son-in-law are engineers on the Union Pacific
railroad, and live at North Platte. The recently deceased wife of John
Colvill was a sister to the subject of this notice. A brother of his is
Garrick M. Harding, president judge of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania.
Daniel M. Harris, farmer and stock raiser, Paw Paw Grove, M^as
born in Cayuga county, New York, July 9, 1825. His parents were
Daniel and Miriam (Page) Harris. In September, 1816, Mr. Harris
came to this township, and bought the farm he has since occupied, as
well as a part of the farm opposite, the two pieces being in Sees. 5 and
8, making 120 acres altogether. He returned to his father's place in
New York, and on November 18, 1818, was married to Christee Ann
Adeline Carmer, of Auburn. In the following spring they came to
their prairie home in the west, and the same season built the small
part of the house now owned by the Potter heirs, known as the " red
roofed house." About 1851 they erected the small part of the house
they now occupy. Two stages passed their place daily. In wet sea-
sons it was not uncommon for Mr. Harris to have to get up at night
and hitch to the stage with his ox-team, while the passengers with
rails in hand lifted at the wheels, when a lift and a pull together would
bring the stalled coach out to firm footing. In those times, says Mr.

756 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY,

Harris, his family rode to clinrch at South Paw Paw beliind yoked
oxen, they not yet having begun to keep horses. These excellent peo-
ple are the parents of three children : William Arthur, Evart M., living
in Marshall county, Kansas, and Dale E., at home. Mr. Harris has
been commissioner of highways several years, and is now school trustee.
He was deacon in the Baptist church of Paw Paw nine or ten years,
and is a republican in politics. Mr. Harris is held in high esteem by
all who know him.

W. A. CoNANT, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, was born in Chenango
county, July 2-i, 1832, and the son of Elihu and Jeanette E. (Johnson)
Conant. His school advantages were quite fair, and included two
terms at Glens Falls. He never had any difficulty in keeping at the
head of his classes. He came to Wyoming township in the spring of
1849, was married to Charlotte L. Erwin, of Shabbona, and settled on
Sec. 27. He bought 200 acres, and has since added to it till now^ he
owns 640 acres. They have three children living: Sarah Jeanette,
Mary Elizabeth, and William Terry. Sarah is Mrs. Simon Mann, of
the Chicago Stove Works. Mr Conant has one of the largest and best
farms in the county. Mr. Conant enlisted in Co. Iv, 75th reg. 111.
Inf., and did three years' faithful service. He was in the engagements
at Perryville, Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Mission Pidge, Ring-
gold Gap, and the Atlanta campaign. He was wounded at Perry-
ville. At the reunion of Co. K, September 27, 1881, when a perma-
nent organization was formed, J. C. Howlett was elected president.
William A. Conant vice-president, and James H. Thompson secre-
tary and treasurer. Anotlier item of Mr. Conant's history is given
elsewhere in this work. To that the writer gave careful investigation,
and has given the facts. These speak for themselves.

Isaac B. Berry, farmer and stock raiser. Paw Paw Grove, son of
James W. and Margaret (Baldwin) Berry, was born in Onondaga
county, iSTew York, March 24, 1813. He was raised on his father's
farm, and at the age of fifteen moved with his parents to Oswego
county, where he left home four years later to learn the carpenter and
joiner trade in the city of Oswego. In the fall of 1836 he came to^
Ottawa, Illinois, worked at his trade a few months, and then went to
Chicago, where he remained till the next autumn. From there he
went to Warrenville, then in Cook but now in Du Page county, took
a claim and improved it, and lived twenty-five years. He was mar-
ried in that place to Mary Louise Ward, who survived only tw^o years.
In 1856 he celebrated his second marriage, with Harriet E. Rogers, of
Naperville, His two children are L. Louise, and Mary E., now Mrs.
W. A. Pratt. In 1862 Mr. Berry came to Lee county and bought
314 acres of land lying in Sees. 4 and 5, in Wyoming township, and

WILLOW CEEEK TOWNSHIP. 75V

in 32 and 33 in Willow Creek. Our subject is a republican in
politics.

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP.

The civil township is coterminns with the congressional, which is
38 IST., R. 2 E. of the 3d P.M., and comprises thirty-six sections of
the choicest farming land in the most delightful prairie situation in
the world. The physical features present a pleasing outline wherever
one may go. Standing upon either extremity of the valley of Willow
creek, he sees nnequaled farms running back upon the long slopes
and across the ridges, which lose themselves in the general elevation
of the country, all stretching far away in gorgeous beauty of land-
scape. The morning sun in hazy autumn bathes the surface in spark-
ling tints and mellow radiance, and the blue horizon receding into
faint lines displays a misty trace of groves and hedges against a back-
ground of watery sky ravishing to the view of animate brush or pen-
cil. Elsewhere than upon the borders of this stream the country lies
in bold undulations, excepting a narrow strip on the south side.

Eour bodies of woodland are situated in the township, namely :
Smith's Grove, Allen's Grove, and the Twin Groves. The first lies
in Sees. 31: and 35, mostl}^ in the latter; the second chiefl}^ in the
N".W. ^ of Sec. 36, which it mostly covers, and the other two in Sec.
17. The larger of the Twin Groves belongs about equally to the
southeast and the southwest quarters, while the smaller occupies the
center of the northwest quarter. Side by side they stand ; their name
had an obvious origin. The others are named from first permanent
settlers.

Willow creek takes its source in Wyoming township, crosses the
line into this a mile and a quarter east of the southwest corner, and
flows north in a circular course, passing through Twin Groves. On
the farm of L. G. Durin, on Sec. 7, it bends directly west, and a little
lower down on the same section is joined by East Branch. This cuts
the east boundarj^ at the southeast corner of Sec. 12, runs southwest to
the corner of Sec. 14, and thence northwest nearly to the point of
union with the first stream. Native willows found growing upon the
banks of this water-course suggested the name for it, and when the
township was organized no more appropriate name for that could be
adopted than the one borne by the principal creek.

The population is a mixture principally of Americans, Norwegians
and Germans, the first predominating, and the second constituting
one-third of the whole. The thrift, industry and intelligence of the

758 HISTORY OF lee county.

inliabitants are conspicuously manifest. By the last census only four,
and these old persons, were found unable to read or write.

The enumeration was made in 18S0, by Thomas Kelson, Esq., and
showed that there were 1,214 souls in the township. One-half the
number is of foreign birth. There were 172 farms and 190 farmers.
Compared with other sections, the improvements in Willow Creek
township are of the first order. Hardly a farm but has a tasteful and
spacious dwelling; and the favorite red barns, large and heavily built,
contrast pleasantly with the white-painted residences. Planted groves
have been reared with universal cai'c, and the willow hedges, which in
this township so closely approximate perfection, are the glory of the
landscape.

The township was settled nearly simultaneously at all the groves.
Peter Gonzolas, a Frenchman, from Dutchess county, New York,
came in the fall of 1S3G, and made a claim of the Shoudy farm, at
Allen's Grove. He remained onl^- two or three years, and then disap-
peared suddenly; some say he went west to join the Indians. Before
his departure he sold his claim to Richard M. Allen. This was the
lirst farm improved in Willow Creek township. To the neighboring
grove came an excellent family in 1837. These were the Smiths. The
head of these was John Smith, from Argyleshire, Scotland, who had
been educated for the ministry. He arrived in August, and bought a
claim in Sec. 35, from James Armour. A prior claim to this land had
been made by a man named Cameron, who sold it to Armour. Neither
of these squatters was here long, the stay of each being too short to
compel the erection of a cabin. A few logs had been cut, and that was
all that had been done. The claim which Mr. Smith purchased in-
cluded all of "Dry" Grove (a name given because no creek was near
it) except a few scattering trees. This name was borne until 1838 ;
when the country' was surveyed into townshi])s in that 3^ear the grove
was designated as Smith's Grove in the field notes. John Smith was
the first settler at this place, and erected his cabin close to the spot
where his son David's house now stands. In December following the
family suffered a great misfortune in the loss of this dwelling by fire,
together with their clothing, bedding, money, and a large and valuable
collection of books. It was roofed with mowed grass, and in this
covering the fire caught. This was the second house erected in the
township and the first burned. Another was built right awaj^, some
ten rods east of the first. Death entered the Smith household about
three weeks after their settlement here. John, the second son, was
the first to be laid in the family burying-ground. This was the first
death of any white person in the township. Robert and David Smith
occupy parts of the original claim which belonged to their father, and

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 759

together own the greater part or the whole of the grove. The father
died at the old homestead in 1860. A part of the house where David
Smith lives, on the home place, was put up in 1855. Uncle John Col-
vill, of Paw Paw, came from Scotland with the Smiths, to wliom he
is related, and made his home with them some years at first. With the
national affection of the Scotch for home-ties, and their tenacity to
things of the past, John Smith, same in attachment as the ancient
Scotchman who, on emigrating to Canada, thought he could never
sleep so well on any other as on his thistle bed, brought it with him
only to throw away, by which last act he propagated a dangei'ous pest,
— brought also the favorite all-iron plow, supposing, doubtless, that not
another plow in all the world could tarn a furrow like that which turns
the glebe in Scotland. But the Scotch plow, like many Scotch notions,
had to be straightway abandoned on reaching the new west. At that
time the steel plow had not been invented, and the then common im-
plement could not be used at this daj^, except its use should be com-
pelled by imminent starvation. What glories shine about thy path-
way, O Progress !

Dick Allen, who succeeded Gonzolas, and gave his name to the first
settled grove in the township, was a character who could boast no
savory reputation. Horse-stealing and counterfeiting were the means
of livelihood to the criminal class, whose ranks were full. These law-
breakers were not separated from the rest of men, if we except a few
of the more diligent ringleaders, who were constantly roving in their
occupation of crime; but they were settled down and living, scattered
everywhere among better people. This could not have been but for
sparse settlement, which limited the power of the friends of order. To
the extent of that limitation the immunity of tlie others was enlarged,
and their ability to commit crime and avoid its consequences was still
more augmented by their dispersion through every community. Each
was deepl}' or not in the business, according to his personal energy;
and while these men could not so much escape observation as not to
be suspected, it w^as generally impossible to discover enough against
them to insure conviction. It was likewise quite impossible to calcu-
late with certainty on bringing an offender to justice on evidence rea-
sonably complete, because allies whom the penalties of perjury were
powerless to restrain were not wanting in any place. Besides, officers
of the law had been known to be confederates, Allen lived in a log
house and kept tavern from the first. The grove was thickly grown
up to hazel brush, and was a safe and easy trysting-place for these men.
The neighborhood was exempt from their robberies, a shrewd precau-
tion to render their retreat more secure. The tavern was simply a

760 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

station where shelter, refreshment and concealment were supplied to
this class from a "fellow feelinf^ which makes men wondrous kind."

We do not know the date of Allen's departure, but he was followed
at this place, we are told, by a man named Price. Israel Shoudy came
in lS4-i, bought Price's claim, and has lived on the place until this
time.

In 1839 Horatio G. Howlett came from Dixon, where he had been
living two years, and settled at this grove. He is still on the same
ground enjoying the golden autumn of a busy life. Having spoken of
the insecurity of property in the first settlement of the country, an an-
ecdote of Howlett is apposite to the subject. David A. Town was
elected justice of the peace, and Mr. Howlett constable, with the
understanding that neither should exact any fees in civil cases. These
two men were the inspiration of vengeance in the eyes of those who
set the law at defiance, and were chosen to their offices because it was
well known that they would act with vigor and decision. One day
Town sent Howlett a warrant for the arrest of a man named Lovelin,
charged with horse-stealing. He went to Allen's house and was told
that Lovelin was in tlie field plowing. Securing the horse, and putting
him under guard of another, whom he instructed to take deadly aim
with his rifle on Lovelin the moment he should give the order, he went
to the field and read the warrant to the man. He was pointedly told
by the criminal that he would not go with him. Howlett, unperturbed
by this, told him that he could do as he pleased about submitting; that
he supposed Lovelin was armed, while he himself was not ; but he
should take the horse, saying this with much determination. Lovelin,
feeling that he had been victorious thus far, promptly replied that
HoM'lett w^ould have to pass over his dead body before he could touch
the animal, and both started for the stable. The instant they arrived
Howlett demanded his surrender, and receiving a defiant refusal
ordered his man to draw a bead at his heart, and to fire when ordered ;
then taking out his watch gave him barely a minute to submit to
arrest. His hands began to twitch nervously in token that bravado
had given place to fear, and he tamely yielded to be handcuffed. Then
was taken from him a huge bowie-knife, and pistols. He was bound
over, but gave bail and was released. Soon after, he further compli-
cated his situation by stealing Allen's wife and horse. He was caught
by his bondsmen, with Allen's assistance, and lodged in jail at Syca-
more. He broke out, and lay in a stream of water until nearly dead,
to avoid discovery, but was subsequently retaken and lodged in jail at
Galena. One day when the jailor's little bo}' carried his victuals to
him he succeeded in getting out of his place of confinement, and catch-
ing the child in his arms ran to the top of the clifi near by. When the

f/-^

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. . 763

sheriff started in chase he halted him below, and, holding the child be-
tween them, made a clever speech in which he conceded the right and
duty of the sheriff to pursue and recapture him, but pointed out that
he could have no personal motive in so doing beyond that involved in
his official obligation, and added that liberty was dear to himself; that
he was now free and should continue so at any cost ; and wound up
with the terrible threat that if followed another step by the officer he
should dash the child down the precipice upon the rocks below. With-
out recourse, the sheriff naturally enough desisted from the pursuit,
and the desperado escaped. The only word of him ever received here
was when he was in jail in St. Louis on another charge of stealing.
Judges Caton and Drummond, who used to pass Allen's Grove travel-
ing from court to court, told Mr. Howlett of this last episode. This
was the first arrest of a horse-thief in Lee county.

The Indian trail from Ottawa north to the hunting grounds in
Wisconsin ran through Allen's Grove. The Indians were once paid
their annuities b}' the government at this place.

Twin Groves were first named Moore's, from William Moore, the
earliest settler there, who began his improvements in 1837 at the south
grove. James Thompson and Levi Lathrop came together as early as
1842, and in partnership bought Moore's claim, on which he had thirty
acres of plowed land. Moore was paid $50 for the timber claim where
the Thompson homestead has always been and aunt Amanda still re-
sides. It is described as the N.W. ^ of S.E. ^ Sec. 17. Not long
afterward Mr. Thompson bought out Lathrop's interest. He received
a patent for this land, dated July 1, 1845, and three years later another
for the S.W. J of S.E. ^. Robert Blair, by marriage brother-in-law to
Mrs, Thompson, came here from Malugin's Grove with those we have
mentioned, and bought a claim to part of the north grove, but never
purchased it from the government. About 1850 he moved back to
Malugin's. He died at the house of Mrs. Thompson in the present
year, 1881. The first birth at Twin Groves was a son of his, Robert
Blair, in 1846. On his settlement here Thompson improvised a shel-
ter with rails — a rail pen, — and covered it with straw ; lived in it sev-
eral weeks. This was succeeded by a log cabin, scarcely better tor some
time than the pen, but after chinking the crevices with rags and shut-
ting out the free and often raw winds, they lived along in unchecked
comfort until the rank grass and weeds, which grew in the humid at-
mosphere of the grove to the height of a man's head, began to decay
and give their juices to the air ; then every one of them fell with ague
except Mrs. Blair.

These first settlers were here three or four years before others
began to come, and their nearest neighbors were at Malugin's Grove.
45

764 , HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Then George Wise and Isaac Gardner, brothers-in-law, started im-
provements at the north grove ; they did not stay long, but sold to
Mark R. Averill. Wise went to California, and Gardner to Florida.
Averill's residence here was also short, for in the winter of 1853-4 he
moved to Paw Paw, and embarked in trade, having first sold his land
to Jacob B. Fisher, who came in the autamn of 1853.

Cnmmings Noe was an early man at Twin Groves, and settled
there, as near as we can learn, in 1846. He first set up in a pen simi-
lar to Thompson's, which he did not think of calling a house. His
home for many years was on the place now owned by B. F. Ells-
worth. He and Mr. Thompson and James Smith entered, from the
government all of the south grove. This is now owned by Mr.
Thompson's widow and William Dnnkelberger. Jacob Fisher's
widow and L. H. Dnrin are the present proprietors of the north grove.

The settlers here had at first only Indian trails to guide them
across the billowy prairie. The earliest white man's road, though
never surveyed, was one staked out by Erastus Noe, from Twin
Groves to Hickory Grove, and used many years. Hogs were found
runniag wild in these woodlands before any person came to make a
home. They probably strayed away from a distant owner, or were
lost from a passing drove.

In the summer of 1847 James Smith and Nathan Koons left
Franklin connty, Ohio, and came to this township. The latter made
a home in the extreme southwest corner, and still owns the original
homestead. The former settled at Twin Groves on a tract of 300 or
400 acres which he had previously entered. Joseph Earnhardt came
in company with these men. The only buildings at the groves on
their arrival was Noe's hasty cabin, already noticed, and Thompson's
log cabin and hen-house. The immigrants made a descent on the
hennery, drove out the fowls, and occupied the building to sleep in,
while they still took their meals in their wagon. It is said they were
homesick. Doubtless, l^ext day Shabbona and his tribe came that
way. It was in the month of June, still the wind was raw and chilly,
and this grand old chief, and as many of his followers as could, hud-
dled behind the wagon for shelter.

Before departing from Ohio Smith cut a willow walking-stick and
announced his intention to plant it when he should arrive at his pros-
pective home; and, unmoved by the jibes of his skeptical friends, he
predicted over and over again with great confidence that he should
raise an immense quantity of timber from it, and realize thousands of
dollars. He was not wide of the mark. Cutting the cane into four
pieces, he set them in the ground, and in a few years had willows for-
ward enough to furnish a good many cuttings, which the people were

WILLOW CKEEK TOWNSHIP. 765

glad to get. Daring tlie war a man from Galesburg, named Piatt,
bought up the trees growing in this region, prepared and shipped the
cuttings in car-loads to all parts of the west, selling them at a good
figure, persuading patrons that in willows were just the right quali-
ties for live fence. For some two years this was a thriving specula-
tion, and gave many hands employment. This township has miles
upon 'miles of willow hedge growing in great beauty and perfection,
it has been so much a favorite for the reason that it furnishes a great
amount of wood and timber in a short time, as well as a tolerable en-
closure of land, that osage orange has not been able to make any con-
siderable headway against it, although vastly superior for the single
purpose of fencing.

As early as IS-iT Jesse Koons arrived from Ohio, and A. N. Dow
also settled here.

Samuel Reese, a young man, came now to live at Mr. Thompson's.
Probably the next year, James Stubbs, a bachelor, and a married
brother reached this community; the latter died not long after, and
the other moved to Mendota. Cyrus and John Goff came as early,,
and lived here a few years. The former located his house between
the two groves, and kept tavern on the route of travel between Ottawa
and Kochelle. L. H. Durin and Gilbert Durin, brothers, came from
Vermont in 1849, and settled here, the former on his present home-
stead. The latter has removed to Steward. These are men of sub-
stance and great respectability. Ira Durin did not come till some
years afterward. He was a useful citizen and ofHce-holder, who has
now moved away.

Wesson Holton, another Green Mountain Yankee, located his family
northwest of the groves in 1852, and was many years employed in mill-
wrighting. He has taken an active part in the public affairs of the
township and held various important offices. He sent three sons to the
army in time of the late war.

William L. Smith arrived in 1853, or earlier, and James A. Harp
the next year. Mr. Harp held township office several terms. The
first arrival of Byrds, who settled on the north side of the township,,
was in 1853. They were from Virginia. There would be nothing ta
say of them had they sympathized with their country in the dark hour
of pro-slavery, treason and rebellion. Louis P. Braithwaite came in
1853, and Louis P. Smith in 1854.

Returning' now to the neighborhood of Allen's and Smith's Groves^
we mention the later settlers without regard to the order of their arrival.
Dr. Basswood came about 1840 and remained four or five years. ISTa
thaniel Allen and his family came in 1845. His sons were Harrison,.
Nathaniel,Chandler, Ephraim, and Alonzo ; and he had four daughters.

'766 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Chandler did not reach here until the following year, when he entered
the land where he now lives, the S. -| of S.W. ^ Sec. 26, and the IST. ^ of
N.W. ^ Sec. 35. Benjamin Nettleton had settled here as early as this
period. Isaac C. Ellsworth, a Yermonter, emigrated from Ohio in the
spring of 1846. His son Benjamin he had sent in advance the autumn
before with a drove of stock, being compelled by the extreme drouth
of that year to remove it from that state. Ellsworth settled on Sec. 34.

Christopher Vandeventer, formerly from New York, arrived here
from Michigan in 1848, coming with a two-horse team, and driving
sheep and cattle. He made his home where he at present lives, on the
S.E. ^ Sec. 24, and built a log cabin. At that time not a house stood
between his own and Broady's Grove, 17 miles north. His father set-
tled at the same date east of the grove, in De Kalb county.

As near as we can ascertain the following persons located themselves
in the neighborhood of these groves between 1846 and 1855 : Matthew
Atkinson, Perry Atkinson, Amos Atkinson, McNabb, Richard R.
Walker, Andrew Stubbs, Freeman Crocker, Daniel Maxwell, Sylvanus
Staples, Prince Stevens, Hugh Wells, George Clark, Richard Clark,
John Piatt, and Alonzo Osborne. Jeptha P. Mittan settled in the
southwest part of the township about 1850, and is still residing there.

In the east part of the township settlement was made on Willow

creek by John B. Briggs in 1851, and John H. Bacon and E. E. Bacon

about 1854. Briggs' location was on the northeast corner of Sec. 14,

and the Bacon last named was a little higher up, on the same side of

the stream, where he planted a large nursery and did an extensive

business.

GERMANS.

In the first half of the middle period, as we regard it, German im-
migration set in, and the first of that nationality to settle in Willow
Creek was Gotlieb Hochstrasser, in 1854. A little later, and probably
the same year, was Joseph Herman ; in 1856 Frank Bates, Frank Her-
man and John Herman came, and in 1857 a second Frank Bates and
Areheart Hochstrasser. These were all the Germans who arrived up
to this date ; after a short interval others made their appearance, the
most conspicuous of whom is John Yetler, in 1859. 'Next year George
Erbes, one of the solid and reliable men of the township, brought his
family.

At the present time these people number nearly 200, and for thrift
and good citizenship are unsurpassed in any part of the country.

NORWEGIANS.
Ommon Hilleson, the first Norwegian immigrant to Lee county, is
regarded with so much pride by his countrymen as to suggest the

"WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 767

attributes of a Scandinavian deity, and a little notice of him at the head
of this article will not be out of place. He reached our shores in 1837,,
and walked all the way from New York to Chicago. From the latter
place he started for the Norwegian settlement on Fox river on foot, but
being overtaken by a co veiled wagon filled with men, women and chil-
dren, and being invited to ride with them, got in. He was by this time
able to understand a little English, and when two of the men got out and
walked behind and talked together about his money, their real character
and intentions were revealed to him. He had some money, and no doubt
his situation was uncomfortable, until a man and a woman driving a
team providentially overtook them, when he leaped out as the charmed
bird flies when the spell is broken, and sprang into the other wagon
without a word of parting to the one or of introduction to the other.
His leap in the dark had brought him to good footing, for this time he
had not fallen among thieves, but among some of his own people going
home to Fox river, and his journey thither was happily relieved of
further unpleasant incident. It has a singular seeming, but is never-
theless a verity, that with scarcely any knowledge of the English ver-
nacular he left all his countrymen behind and pushed forward to Lee
Center among strangers, not in habit, sentiment and nationality only,
but in language also. This shows him to have had the truly pioneering
spirit; he could not have been less than a pioneer. Having obtained
work there, it was not long till he was able to start independently, and
he settled in Bradford township, where he became wealthy, and his
widow, Elizabeth Hillison, j'et resides. In course of time, as a certain
consequence, other Norwegians came and settled around him, and as
their numbers increased they scattered out, many going early to Sub-
lette township. The first to go was Lars Larsen Risetter, in 1847, who
was also the second to come to Willow Creek.

The earliest Norwegian settler here was Amund Hilleson, a single
man, who emigrated to Sublette in 1851, and having saved enough from
his first year's wages, in 1852 bought the N. E. ^ Sec. 15, his present
home, at the government price of $1.25 per acre, and in the spring of
1855 came on it to make his permanent residence. Toiling hei'e year
after year with the patient, unrelaxing industry of his class, he has in-
creased in worldly goods and grown in the regards of the whole com-
munity until there is no man who stands fairer, and none could moi*e
justly so than Amund Hilleson. He was followed early in 1856 by
LarsL. Risetter, from Sublette, who had at this time been in the country
long enough to secure a considerable start, and who located his family
on the S.W. -^ Sec. 15, which is now occupied by his son Lewis. The
story of how Mr. and Mrs. Risetter labored with unflagging persever-
ance in and out of doors, and bought and sold crops and land, combin-

768 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

ing calculation with severe labor, and making for themselves in a few
years a handsome fortune, as well as adding greatly to the consequence
and prosperity of the township, is one that cannot be told in our nar-
row space. But his neighbors say, " No man made money so fast and
so fairly by hard work and economy, and from large crops and the rise
in values, as Mr. Risetter."

The third Norwegian settler was Edwin O. Winterton, who im-
proved the N.W. ^ Sec. 15 : the fourth was Amund Cragowick ; the
fifth was Thomas Hilleson ; the sixth was Lars Salmonson, who began
his home in the center of Sec. 16 in the winter of 1860-1 ; the seventh
was Ole Olson ; then came Edwin Edwards in the spring of 1862,
and bought the IST. ^ of N.E. ^ Sec. 11 ; Lars Oleson in the spring of
1863, and settled with his family on Sec. 10, where he at present resides.
Christopher Oleson came about the same time, and in 1861: Jacob Oleson
began to improve the N.E. ^ Sec. 1. Heldor Nelson came to the N.
E. ^ Sec. 2, and William Oleson to Sec. 16. Later arrivals, without
regard to date or order, were Edwin Edwards, N.E. ^ Sec. 11 ; Heldor
Eden in the same location ; Lars Hilleson, S.E. J Sec. 14 ; and Nels
Oleson, Peter Johnson, Allen Johnson, Andrew Eskland, Lewis P.
Boyd, Lars Knutson, Yick Winterton, Thomas Oleson, Christ. C. Alsa-
ger, Hans Johnson, Jacob Edwards, Hawkin Risetter, Newt Boyd, and
Thomas Nelson.

There are now 400 of this nationality in Willow Creek township ;
and concerning the cultivation of the humbler arts of peace and the
practice of the soldierly virtues in war, this writer can say from per-
sonal knowledge that few equal, while none excel, them.

PIONEER FACTS.

Chicago was the first trading point for this part of the country, and
people went with ox and horse teams, singly and in companies, but gen-
erally in companies, as it was not often that a team could make a trip
without getting stalled at least once on the road, and it was of no little
advantage to have help at hand for every distress. Forty bushels of
wheat made an ordinary load. When stuck in a slough the bags of
grain had to be carried over on the teamster's back, and the fewer there
were to divide the task, the longer and more arduous were the labor
and detention. Sometimes the water was deep; then if there were
wagons enough they were unloaded, placed end to end across the
stream, and with the end-boards taken out formed a bridge that an-
swered well the object of its improvisation.

One time, when uncle John Colvill and David Smith were hauling
grain to Chicago, their wagons got set in the mud and they had to
carry the bags of wheat across the slough on their backs. In doing

WILLOW CKEEK TOWNSHIP. 769

this uncle John pulled off his boot-soles and had to go into Chicago
barefooted. The hostler, just from Erin, viewing him from head to
foot, in innocent wonder broke forth : " Where in the dickens part of
the world did ye come from?" The bootless man felt that he must be
in sorry plight indeed, but was skeptical of Pat's judgment when, in
feeding the horses the rank, coarse slough-grass, then so common, he
volunteered the information: "And sure and 'tis the biggest timothy
that grows in this country."

Usually a horse-team made the round trip to Chicago in seven days,
stopping there just long enough to feed and do trading. Teamsters
not infrequently took along cooked provisions and camped out at night
when the weather was good. Taverns were not wanting on the road,
but the patronage dispensed to them made a heavy inroad into the
profits and sometimes wholly consumed them. A pioneer of 1845 says
there was then no room in Chicago to put np teams, that he had to
sleep and feed his team in his wagon, because accommodations were
inadequate. That was thirty-five years ago in a city than which not
another in the world, say travelers, is better supplied with facilities for
public entertainment. He had taken to market forty bushels of wheat,
which sold for sixty cents a 'bushel, and he received twenty cents per
bushel for hauling. His expenses were $3.50, leaving $4.50 for seven
days on the road with his team. But occasionally a load of merchan-
dise was brought back for hire, and this made a more profitable trip.
After the opening of the Illinois and Michigan canal, Ottawa and
Peru became trading centers, and when the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy railroad was constructed to Mendota, in 1853, a market was
established still nearer, at Earlville. Only wheat and pork were hauled
by teams to Chicago, the latter to be sold for $1 to $3.50 per hundred;
but when these other points were opened to trade, corn and oats were
sold there. Aurora was an important trading place, and a good many
did business there, especially as it was where they often went to get
grinding done. The grist-mills at Dixon, Fox Kiver, Binghamton,
and Dayton's above Ottawa, drew custom from all this region. When
one w^ent to mill he took a full load, all the neighbors sending a grist
by him ; he would be gone two or three days, and would not have to
renew the journey until each of his neighbors had been to mill in the
same manner. Cooperation was practiced in everything. In getting
stock to Chicago neighborhoods made up droves together. How beau-
tiful was the spirit of this period ! The pioneers avow in sad agree-
ment that if they had the power they would

" Roll back the tide of time, and raise
The faded forms of other days."

770 HISTOEY OF LEE C0U:NTY.

The first roads in the country were laid out on Indian trails. The
Chicago and Galena, and the Ottawa and Rockford roads were survey-
ed mainly along such traces.

In the beginning Galena exceeded Chicago in size and importance,
the lead mines there attracting men in pursuit of labor from parts as
remote as the Wabash and the lower Mississippi. Mr. H. G. Howlett
has seen as many as twenty teams together pass Allen's Grove in the
spring going to Galena, where they would remain through the summer
and return in the fall.

For many years buftalo bones were numerous in low places, and
the first settlers were told by the Indians that before any of the whites
came the buff'aloes perished one hard winter. This was the winter of
1830-1. Snow fell to great depth and blew, into immense drifts ten
and twelve feet deep. The cold was intense and prolonged. For
more than forty days under a beaming sun the eaves of the cabins far-
ther south did not run. The buffaloes resorted to the low places for
tall grass, and great numbers never got away. The following winter,
though less severe, was remarkable as well for exceeding inclemency.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school at Allen's Grove, the earliest in the township, was
taught in 1848 by Miss Martha Vandeventer, sister to Christopher
Yandeventer, in one of Israel Shoudy's log houses. Mr. Shoudy had
several of these and was keeping tavern at the time. A Miss Nettle-
ton and Miss Laura Brace kept school in the same place a little later.
In the autumn of 1819 a frame school-house was built by subscription
on nearly the site of the present one, the land being donated by
Shoudy ; and the next winter the first school was taught by Miss Clara
Price. Miss Smith, of Shabbona, was an early teacher in this house, and
Israel Shoudy says uncle John Colvill trained the shooting ideas of the
young in the same place.

The first school ever taught at Twin Groves was in a log cabin in
James Thompson's dooryard, the one which he put up on his settle-
ment there. The name of the first teacher is swallowed up in time
unless, as has been suggested, it was that of the widow Stubbs, who
was an early tutoress. Miss Maria A. Holton, now Mrs. B. F. Ells-
worth, taught in this cabin in the summer of 1853. The Twin Groves
school-house was built in 1851 by the joint efforts of a number of indi-
viduals, and in the autumn of 1857 was purchased by the district at
auction. In the winter of 1863-1 it was burned down, and the pres-
ent house was erected the following summer. Miss Mary J. Fisher
taught the first term in the new house.

The Ellsworth school-house was built in the spring of 1855, says

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 771

Mrs. Eilswortli, who kept the first school that summer. Joseph
McCoy hauled the shingles and finishing lumber from Earlville, and
the house \vas regularly used for religious worship. Another occupies
the old site, and David Smith has the old building for a shop.

The Vroman house was built not far from the same time of the
last, and Miss Helen Yroman was a teacher in it a number of terms.

The Norwegian parochial school was established in 1866 as a part
of the Lutheran church system, having for its object the education of
the children so that they can be taught the catechism in the language
of their fathers. In the beginning the sessions were held in private
houses; next in school-houses during public vacations. The Lutheran
community embraces parts of Alto and "Willow Creek townships, and
is divided into three private districts for select school purposes. Six
months' school are held each year, one half in the spring and the other
in the fall. Those living in Alto, and nine families in Willow Creek
near the town line, constitute the Alto district, and hold their school
in Union district, No. 10. They h.ave had two and one-half months'
every year since it was instituted. The third, or south district, which
has occupied the school-houses in districts No. 5 and 7, has had two
and a half months', leaving one month for the village of Lee, where
the term is held in the public school building. The school was organ-
ized by the Rev. C. G. P. Peterson, preacher in charge, an able scholar
and divine. Rasmus Rasmusson, a good old man in the congregation,
took control of it for a month and until a regular teacher could be
found. The first was Thomas Nelson, who has taught more or less up
to the present time. The following other teachers have also been em-
ployed at various times: Hendrickson, Christopherson, J. Gossendal,
Iver Fanebust, E. Teffre, S. W. Weeks, J. J. Maakkestad, and another
who was a student at the time. Only one instructor is employed in
the same period; he teaches first in one district and then in another.
The school is maintained by subscription, and has about 100 pupils,
divided among the three districts. The scholars attend the English
public schools regularl}'. The south district built the present year
(1881) a private school-house, 18x26, on the southeast corner of
Sec. 15, at a cost of nearly $500, including furniture and fixtures, neat
patent seats being among the latter. Holden Risetter donated one-half
acre of ground for the building site.

The present township treasurer is E. W. Holden. His report for
the school year ended June 30, 1881, shows nine public school-houses
in Willow Creek, and an estimated value of school property of $5,550.
Number of children under twenty-one years of age, 581 ; between six
and twenty-one, 372; enrollment, 304; principal of township fund
$6,525.08; tax levy for schools, $1,558.68.

772 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

POST-OFFICES.

This township has had two country post-offices. The first was the
Willow Creek office, called by the people " Twin Grove," where it was
established, as near as we can ascertain, about 1849. Robert Blair was
appointed first postmaster, but as he moved away about that time he
never handled any mail. It was actually established at the house of
one of the Goffs, who had it for a short while, and until he removed, in
1850. Gilbert E. Durin now took it until some time in 1853, when
it passed into the hands of "William L. Smith. After keeping it for a
time he deputized a man named Beckwith, who turned out to be a
peculator, and then he took it back to his own house. It is said that
James Harp was the next postmaster, and that when the office again
changed hands it went to Squire Ira Durin's. We cannot follow all
the changes with certainty, but are told that a William Moore was
postmaster at one tiine. B. F. Ellsworth was the incumbent from
Jul}', 1866, to 1873 ; the office then went to A. H. Knapp's, and from
there to Adam Miller's, when it was discontinued about 1875.

The South Willow Creek post-office was established in time of the
war, and was kept by Hiram J. Abrams, on the south line of the town-
ship, and on Sec. 3i. It was kept up until about 1873.

PIONEER WORSHIP.

Pious hearts raised altars to the Most High, and companies of peo-
ple came together at convenient intervals for public devotion. Elder
Baker, a transient Presbyterian, was the earliest regular preacher at
Allen's Grove that we have heard of, and held meetings in the Shoudj'
school-house. Occasional services by the Rev. Canfield and Elder
Wood, of Earlville, and an exhorter named Olmstead, antedated Elder
Baker's ministrations. Wood and Olmstead were Methodists. It was
the custom of these men to visit all the neighboring settlements, and
they preached at Twin Groves as well as here. Elder Smith and the
Rev. James Price should also be mentioned. Classes were formed at
the school-houses after the inhabitants had become numerous enough to
have such meeting-places and to establish an orderly system, but all we
can say is that what was done was for the good of souls and the glory
of God, for few traces remain of actual occurrences, and the recollec-
tions of the good fathers and mothers in Israel refuse these treasures
out of the abundance of their forgetful ness. How quick is the good
forgotten ! How long doth the evil remain !

The first sermon at Twin Groves was preached by a Methodist
minister from Rochelle. The Rev. Richard Haney was the first circuit
preacher, and came there with tolerable regularity. He was extremely

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 773

fond of wolf-hnnting, and never missed an appointment when circum-
stances favored a good catch. On one occasion he secured seven of
the animals, which he dug out of their burrow. Elder Wood preached
at the groves several years subsequent to 1853 ; when he began we
have no means of knowing. The Revs. Davids and Roberts labored
there regularly anterior to 1860.

POLITICAL AND WAR HISTORY.

Formerly what is now embraced in W3^oming, Willow Creek and
Alto townships was a part of Paw Paw precinct, and elections alter-
nated between Malugin's and Paw Paw Grove. After the adoption
by the county of township organization, in 1849, this territory was
formed into Wyoming, wliose dimensions were not changed until 1855,
when Willow creek was organized with its present bounds, including
the area of Alto township.

Tlie first annual town meeting was held at the Twin Groves school-
house in district No. 3, April 3, 1855, and was organized by the appoint-
ment of Ira S. Durin as chairman ; A. N. Dow was elected moderator,
and G. Bishop clerk, and they were qualified by E. Woodbridge, justice
of the peace. The recorded proceedings show that besides the election
of otiicers, the running at large of stock and penalties relating thereto
were the chief subjects acted upon.

In 1861 Willow Creek was reduced one-half in size by the organiza-
tion of Alto township.

Until 1860 the polls were held at the Twin Groves school-house ;
the next two or three meetings, including two special ones, were at the
Yroman school-house ; then they were moved to Allen's Grove ; and in
1865 back to Twin Groves. In 1867 and 1868 the Yroman house was
again the polling place, and in 1869 the Center school house, the meet-
ings going back again for two years to the Vroman, and in 1872 to the
Center house. In 1874 the election was at the red school-house, and
the next year at Adam Miller's. At the town meeting in 1874 a reso-
lution was presented by C. M. Bacon and adopted, instructing the town
board to take the initiatory step toward procuring a building lot for a
town-house near the center of the township, and to report to the next
annual meeting the probable cost of each, a site and a hall. John
Yetter, supervisor ; L. G. Durin, assessor; Dwight Davenport, town
clerk, and Robert Thompson and H. G. Howlett, justices of the peace,
reported that one acre on the southeast corner of Sec. 16 could be pur-
chased for S150, and that a building 20x34, with 12-foot posts, would
cost about $800. A vote was taken whether to buy and build, result-
ing with 50 in the afiirmative and 47 in the negative. The house was
erected the same season, the whole property costing the township $1,100.

774

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

The annual meeting in 1876 organized at the nearest school-house and
then adjourned to the new town-house.

At a special meeting held at the Vroraan school-house October 16,
1869, to vote upon the question of subscribing to the capital stock of
the Rock River railroad, 1 vote was cast in favor of and 21 against the
proposition. Another called meeting was held at the same place on
March 26, 1870, to vote for or against taking stock of the Chicago and
Iowa Railroad Company to the amount of $50,000, on the condition
that the}' should construct their line within one mile of the center of
the township. On this proposal 75 votes were recorded in its favor
to 51 against it. The company failed to comply with the condition of
the agreement, and the township was thereby released from its obliga-
tion. Willow Creek is flanked by these two roads, which furnish all
the inhabitants convenient markets without their taking any of the
burdens.

The following township officers have been elected from year to year :

Year.

Supervisor.

Town Clerk.

Assessor.

Collector.

1855
1856

Robert Smith

Wesson Holton

Wesson Holton

Wesson Holton

Chas. R. Hull

James A. Harp

James A. Harp

Benjamin Nettletou ..
Benjamin Nettleton . .

Ira S. Durin

Wesson Holton

Wesson Holton

Wesson Holton

Wes^on Holton

Wesson Ilolton

John Yetter

John Yetter

John Yetter

John Yetter

John Yetter

John Yetter

G. E. Durin

George Bishop

James A. Harp

James A. Harp

James A. Harp

A. C. Smith

A. C. Smith

Prince Stevens

L. G. Durin

William Byrd.
B P Ellsworth

1857
1858
1859

Chas. R. Hall

Chas. R. Hall

William H. Dow.
Hugh Wells.
Hugh Wells.

18()0
18t)l

William Sutton

Benjamin Nettleton..

William Sutton

L. G. Durin

L. G. Duiin

L. G. Durin

David Smith

J. P. Mittan.
William Byrd.

1863
1863
1864
1865
1866

M. N. Dunton

James A. Harp

Chas. E. Hall

Dwight Davenport

Dwight Davenport

Dwight Davenport.. .

Dwight Davenport

Dwight Davenport. . .
J. C. Howlett

Charles Miller.

C. M. Bacon.

H. B. Davenport.

D. M. Nettleton.
J. C Howlett.

1867

0. B. Jones.

1868

David Smith

F. C. Mason.

1869

David Smith

B. F. Ellsworth.

1870

Adam Miller

James Miller.

1871

J. C. Howlett

B. P. Ellsworth

B. F. ElNworth

Dwight Davenport

Dwight Davenport

J. (,'. Howlett

Adam Miller

1873
1873
1874
1875

C. M. Bacon

C. M. Bacon

Robert Smith

L. G Durin

R. Wells.

John R. Sherwood.
George Beemer.
George A. Brittain.

1876

John Yetter

John Yetter

J. C. Howlett

J. C. Howlett

J. C. Howlett

J. C. Howlett

Adam ISIiller

W. H. Brvant.

1877

J. C. Howlett

R. J. Thompson .. ...

R. J. Thompson

R. J. Thompson

R. J. Thompson

1878
1879

W. W. Brittain

Adam Miller

L. P. Boyd.
L. P. BoVd.

1880

Robert Hopps.
Robert Hopps.

1881

Adam Miller

In 1861 C. M, Bacon was appointed town clerk, vice A. C. Smith,
who moved away. The following have been elected justices of the
peace, and possibly a few others whom the defective records do not
enable ns to identify: in 1855 Ira S. Durin and Henry Bishop; 1858,
H. C. Holcomb; 1860, Joel C. Jackson ; 1862, Ira S. Durin and C. M.
Bacon (the latter did not qualify); 1865, R. H. Walker; 1866, M. G.
Phillips; 1867, L. G. Durin ; 1868, William H. Dow and Hugh Wells;
1870, William H. Dow; 1872, H. G. Howlett; 1873, W. Holton ; 1874,
H. G. Howlett; 1877, R. Thompson; 1881, W. H. Emmett and
Thomas Nelson.

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 775

During the war the fires of patriotism burned brightly on the
altars of the country, but nowhere more brightly than in Willow
Creek. She lavished the flower and strength of her yeomanry upon
the greedy appetite of war, and the anguished rents in her Spartan
firesides tell what woful work was done in the ranks of her sons by
ghastly disease and red-handed carnage. Those who remained at
home — the old men, the wives, the mothers, the sisters —upheld the
hands of the government with exalted devotion.

A Union League was organized late in 1862, when it was feared
that the state would be invaded by foes without, and convulsed by
enemies within. A membership of about seventy was formed into a
company, of which Nathaniel Nettleton was the captain-president.
Andrew Stubbs was the marshal of the organization, which assembled
generally at Allen's Grove and Yroman's school-house, and was drilled
by Joiin Edwards, of Paw Paw, a veteran of the Mexican war. After
the presidential election, in 1864, the league fell into neglect.

Before the close of the war the township voted a bounty of $600
to every volunteer who should be credited to Willow Creek after that
date. No draft soiled her garments.

We annex a list of the soldiers who went from this township in
the time of the war, and though it may not be without error, it is be-
lieved to be as correct as it can now be made with no records for
authority.

JST. Chandler Allen, Alonzo Allen, Harrison Allen (also in Mexican
war), David Anderson, Dewitt Abrams, Devalson Abrams, Sylvester
Bidwell, John Paisley, George Paisley, William Paisley, G. S. Priggs,
Adin Priggs, John Pritton, Alpheus Peemer, Charles Pennett, Reu-
ben Pactil, Joseph Parnhard, Pigelow Parnhard, Lewis P. Poyd,
Orin Sisco, Levi Cashner, Robert Donaldson, Alexander Donaldson,
Frederick Erbes, John Edgar, John Ellsworth, Lewis M. Fairchild,
George W. Girard, Ehrhart Gehrig, James C. Howlett, George Hol-
lenback, Edward Hollenback, Charles E. Hall, Moore Hess, Santee
Hess, Edmund W. Holton, Densla Holton, Chandler G. Holton,
George Hochstrasser, Orlando Jones, Andrew Jackson, Sivert John-
son, Morris Johnson, Joseph Keugular, Zephaniah Keugular, Kelson
Larsen, S. S. Linton, Jonathan F. Linton, F. C. Mason, Peter Mittan,
Ciiauncey Mittan, James Miller, Willianu Miller, Merritt Miller,
Clement Miller, Frank Mills, Francis Mills, William Mills, Amos
Noe, William Noe, Hamilton Nichols, Thomas Nickleson, William
Nettleton, Daniel Nettleton, Penjamin Nettleton, Nathaniel Nettle-
ton, Jacob Schwab, Alexander Schwab, Jacob Smack, Charles Stein-
brook, George Seymour, William Steele, Thomas Steele, John Shoudy,
John Smith, James P. Smith, Payard Smith, Alexander Smith, John

776 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Uiiger, David Vronian, Robert Yroman, Abram Yan Patten, Irwin
Yandeventer, William Yandeventer, Christopher C. Yandeventer, jr.,
Robert Wells.

TORNADO.

The tornado of Sunday, June 3, 1860, struck this township about 9
o'clock at night, midway of the west line of Sec. 18. William Ciitts
was within eighty rods of it when it left the township ; he says the
noise was not unlike the rattle and clatter of a freight train when
standing close to it, except that the former was tremendous in volume.
Boards, plows, harrows, timbers, reapers, stoves, furniture, earth,
stones, animals, — everything that it could gather in its way was whirl-
ing, dashing and crashing with a thundering roar and force that filled
the ear with a sound of picturesque terror, as much as if heaven and
earth were battling for the same space at once. Andrew Stubbs,
standing out of its range as it went by, saw it iirst several miles west,
and describes its appearance as it approached and passed.

The night was moonlit, and from where he watched the tempest
the moon was visible throughout. Massive pillars of flaming cloud
were piled from earth to sk}^ ; the top was a sheet of fire; shafts of
electricity, as large to view as a stovepipe, poured in hideous currents
down the seething mass of inky blackness, presenting a sight of sub-
lime horror.

The first house in Willow Creek which received its fury was Abram
Miller's near the township line. It was unroofed, then taken up, car-
ried over the well and the stable, but failing to clear a straw-stack w^as
overturned and scattered in all directions. The occupants were Mr.
Miller, Mrs. Miller, and two small children. The mother lay some
time under a part of the roof in an insensible condition, having sus-
tained considerable injuries. None of the others were much harmed.
The children, sound asleep in their beds when the shock occurred,
were blown twenty -five rods into a wheat field, where one of the little
fellows was found shouting lustily that all the windows were broken
out. A tin boiler standing beside the house, full of water, was not dis-
turbed ; and a book of receipts, brought from Iowa, was picked up on
the farm. Gilbert E. Durin's place was the second reached. His
house stood nearly out of the path of the electric monster, but a small
addition was snatched away and dashed into fragments. James Nealis
and another man were blown into the tops of some locusts in the door-
yard, and the former was cut so badly in the thigh, on a scythe hang-
ing upon a limb, that he bled nearly to death. A. IST. Dow's premises
were the next to sufier. His house was seized as if it had been a toy,
carried into the air and turned roof downward, going to pieces in utter

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 777

wreck. Eight persons composed this family, and all were more or less
hurt, one child having an arm broken.

The moving column raised slightly at Twin Groves, through the
south one of which it tore a gap ten to twenty rods wide, leaving the
undergrow'di but little disturbed, while twisting, splintering and inter-
lacing the taller trees, mostly stalwart black walnuts, in the wildest
disorder. The damage to the timber fell chiefly on "William Smith.
Thompson's house, a very heav}' structure, was unroofed, an^ the large
building moved on its foundation. His strong corn crib and two log
stables shared the general ruin. A man named Schieler, living on
Thompson's land, had his house demolished, and all seven of the family
were severely injured, and horribly begrimed as if violently rolled and
dragged in fine dirt.

From this point to Sec. 14 lay a stretch of prairie, and no injury
to life and little damage to property were done; but there a house
belonging to William Bacon, occupied by Allen Johnson and his sister,
ISTorwegians, was wrecked. The inmates, on the first appearance of the
storm, had luckily gone to a neighbor's, and thus escaped its terrible
fury and danger.

The county line was reached midway of Sec. 13, and here at Allen
McConeky's the most painful 'destruction was accomplished. It was
now between nine and ten, and the family had retired. Rain had been
falling hard but calmly before the crash came, and Mrs. McConeky
arose to attend to keeping it out of the windows. The wind began to
rise, and in a few moments so increased that she remarked to her hus-
band that the house would blow away. He sprang to her side at the
window, and at that instant, she relates, she saw the east side of the
house coming in upon them, but can remember nothing more, save that
she was conscious of lying on the ground with a heavy weight resting
upon her body. The house was shivered to^ atoms. Mr. McConeky
Avas killed outright, also the eldest and the youngest boys. Another
little son was terribly bruised, and all hope of his recovery was for
some time abandoned. Mrs. McConeky had an arm broken. Horses
and cattle were killed here as elsewhere in the path of the destroyer.

In this vicinity a boulder weighing half a ton was lifted from the
ground and carried some distance ; but the most curious exhibition of
power was at the point where the storm ended its work, three-fourths
of a mile east of the county line. At this place was a piece of newly
broken prairie. The furrows lay parallel with the direction of the tor-
nado, and the tough sods were lapped up, twirled into a close body, and
deposited forward in a pile of ten or twelve wagon loads. As if glutted
with disaster, the storm now raised, and carrying on its dismal and
solitary energies high up in the air, moved on to Lake Michigan, where
it lost its identity.

778 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

COUNTRY CHURCHES.

In 1868 a church under control of the Methodist Episcopal denomi-
nation was erected on the soutiiwest corner of Sec. 16, jointly by the
Methodists, Congregationalists, and United Brethren, and is called the
'Twin Groves Methodist church. The ground on which it stands (one
acre) was conveyed by James Thompson and his wife Amanda, to
James Thompson, Henry Lewis, Aaron Smith, L. G. Durin, and M. A.
Rice, trustees, in trust for the Methodist Episcopal church. In con-
sideration of certain subscriptions by the Congregationalists and United
Brethren, they have a guaranty of use upon certain conditions set forth
in the deed. A reservation in favor of the Methodist denomination
empowers them to annul the joint ownership by refunding to the other
societies the respective amounts invested by them in the edifice, when-
ever they shall deem the sole occupancy of the house necessary. The
building is 30 X40, neat and shapely, with a high spire, and cost $3,500.
Over half of this sum was subscribed in advance, and the remainder
was secured at the dedication, delivering the societies from debt, Mr.
James Thompson and aunt Amanda enjoyed the privilege of being the
most liberal donors. Besides the site, the former contributed -$1,000,
and the latter $630. The house was built by the Rev. Seeley, Meth-
odist contractor, who had taken to supplying pulpits in a manner not
contemplated by Holy Writ; the terms of the contract were disre-
garded, yet the work was accepted, and in 1874 it had become neces-
sary to make extensive repairs, which amounted to $600. The dedica-
tion was on November 9, 1868, and the services were conducted by the
Revs. F. A. Hardin and A. P. Beach. The first regular Methodist
preacher in this house was the Rev. C. C. Combs,'"and the Rev. Brewer
represented the Congregationalists. The Rev. Wendell was one of the
first, if not the first, who preached for the United Brethren. Among
his successors there have been the Revs. Young, Bender, and two
Lewises. Following Combs there have been the Revs. Curtis, Farm-
iloe, Stoddard, Davis, Hoffman, Tibbals, Record, and others whose
names cannot be given. Tlie Rev. Record began his ministry in 1879.
The most important incident in the history of this church was the pro-
tracted effort in the winter of 1868-9, lasting seven weeks and result-
ing in over 130 conversions. The Rev. Combs conducted the revival
on the part of the Methodists. Over 100 united with his society.
When he came on the circuit the Methodists here had only nine mem-
bers, and these were all women ; but during his pastorate the number
was swelled to more than 130, including those on probation. These
were divided into classes, some of which have had regular preaching,
and have become as strong as the parent church. Tlie membership

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 779

has been reduced by removals to about eighteen. The Congregation-
alists have nearly all left, and the United Brethren no longer have a
class, but the neighborhood keeps up a Sabbath-school. The present
trustees of, the church are James Fisher, E. M, Pettenger, George A.
Brittain, Richard Phillips, L. G. Durin, Caleb M. Bacon, and one or
two others.

The Congregational societ}'-, now disorganized, was first foi'med
about 1859. Some of the original members were Ephraim Durin and
his wife, Harper B. Davenport and wife, Woodbridge, the Rev. James
Brewer and wife, and Simon Cole and wife; Caleb M. Bacon became a
member subsequently. The membership at no time exceeded seven-
teen. This was organized under the Home Mission, from which it
obtained aid ; and the first preacher was the Rev. Brewer; the second
was the Rev. Henry Buss, and the third and last was the Rev. Breed.
A salary of $200 a year was paid the pastors, and services were held in
the Twin Groves school-house until the erection of the church. The
society was involuntarily disbanded by the removal of members.

In the spring of 1864 the Rev. Jacob Fowler revived the Prot-
estant Episcopal society which had formerly been in existence, and
brouofht too^ether some fifteen constituent members. He was a man
of kindly spirit and excellent character, and left behind him a reputa-
tion as an able and faithful minister. Under his pastoral labors the
infant organization grew to respectable numbers, not fewer than thirty
or forty, including in the list of the principal ones Adam Miller, Samuel
Argrave and wife, Winfield Argrave and wife, Abram Rosenkrans and
wife, Lydia Miller, Joseph McCoy and wife, Henry Abrams, Jeptha
Mittan, Nathan Koons and wife, and Alexander Beemer and wife. This
work belonged to the Shabbona mission, and the first two years the wor-
sliiping places were the Ellsworth and Beemerville school-houses. In
1866 the society, with the outside help furnished, felt itself able to
raise a house of worship, and accordingly undertook that object. The
house, 30x40, was built at an expense of $2,600; but a contribution
of $1,800 was obtained in Chicago through the exertions of Elder
Fowler. The dedication took place on Sunday, August 6, 1866. The
Rev. Madison Handy succeeded as the second pastor, and during his
charge also the church prospered. He, too, was a man of gentle
spirit and manners, and was followed by the Rev. A. C. Wallace,
whose earthly warfare unhappily brought the tottering society to a
violent fall. Having become too weak to maintain preaching without
assistance from other people, and being in arrears to the pastor in the
sum of $500, he procured a judgment in the circuit court, levied upon
the church, and sold it under execution. It fell to him under the
hammer, and he disposed of it in 1874, to the United Brethren society,
46

780 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

for tlie amount of his claim. This house stands across the road in
Wyoming- township, on the jS'.E. ^ of N.W. ^ Sec. 6.

The membership of the society now owning this building is con-
tained almost entirely in Willow Creek, which name the society bears.
The organization dates from 1857, with twelve original members.
The lirst pastor was the Rev. Adams, the first class-leader C. ISToe,
and the first trustees R. Hall, C. jSToe and H. Lewis. The number
of members is twenty-four. The present minister is J. L. Harri-
son ; class-leader, J. M. Able ; trustees, R. Hall, J. M. Able and C.
Allen. Fifty scholars form the Sabbath-school.

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church of Lee county was
first organized in the fall of 1858, by the Rev. Didrikson, who made
one visit to Bradford township. The members were widely scattered
in Sublette, Bradford, Lee Center, and Willow Creek, and meetings
were at first held four times a year, and distributed to the several
townships. The Rev. A. C. Preus came after the church was put in
working order, and ministered to all the people of this faith. Meet-
ings began to be held more frequently, and the worshipers here
assembled at the Byrd and Twin Groves school-houses. The Luther-
ans gradually left the other townships and settled in this and Alto,
and when they erected their present church, in 1864, twenty or more
families were in the community. We can mention the following:
Amund Hillison, Lars L. Risetter, Lars Salmonson, Jacob Oleson,
Heldor Nelson, Jacob Peterson, Holden Peterson, Lars Oleson, Will-
iam Oleson, C. Christopher, Edwin Winterton, Lars Hillison, Haakn
Risetter, Thomas Hilleson, Christian Hillison Sexer, Omund Oleson
Cragvick, and the Boyds. The Rev. Preus remained over the con-
gregation a year or two and gave way to the Rev. C. J. P. Peterson,
under whose charge the church was built and the parochial school es-
tablished. This church is the most graceful and stately edifice of the
kind in the township. Its location, in a beautiful and commanding
spot from which one may view the country for miles in almost any
direction, adds much to its attractive appearance. A lofty, beautiful
spire pierces the clouds, and arrests the eye at a great distance. The
house is 34xG0 feet, substantially built, and cost $3,500. It is situ-
ated on the northeast corner of the W. ^ of N.E. ^ Sec. 11. A parson-
age of twenty acres on the town line is the property of the church,
and is described as the E. ^ of N.W. ^ of K W. ^ Sec. 2. It was pur-
chased in 1870, for $10 per acre, and the same year the south part of
the residence was built. In 1875 the main or front part was added,
completing the building for $1,700. The present year (1881) a barn
has been put on the premises at an expense of $200. The place is
neatly kept and ornamented with evergreens and the common varie-

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 781

ties of deciduous trees. The deacons are H. Nelson and Yick Will-
iams, and the trustees are Thomas Nelson, Einar Buer, L. Helland
and O. P. Boyd. Since the Rev. Peterson the following pastors have
been settled here: G. O. Jnkam, P. A. Rasmusson, J. Tackle and J.
Nordby. The salary paid is $450, which is increased by incidentals
from baptisms, funerals and marriages to $600. The congregation
numbers 460. A Sabbath-school is kept up through the pleasant part
of the yeai', and at the present time it has a membership of seventy^
under the superintendency of the pastor, who, according to the custom
of this church, has the charge of such schools. Instruction of the
children for one year, beginning at the age of fifteen, is attended to-
one day in everj' week by the pastor, and is called "preparation for
confirmation." At the end of the course they are confirmed, and be-
come a part of the visible membership of the church. In the church-
yard a few graves have been made. The first burial was that of
Thomas, son of Lars L. Risetter, who died September 23, 1864.

The Zion church of the Evangelical Association belongs to the
Rochelle circuit, and holds services once a fortnight. Its thirty-three
members are all Germans. For six years prior to the organization, in
1868, at the Byrd school-house, regular preaching was had tliere every
two weeks by one or other of the following ministers : J. M. Sindlinger^
Henry Messner and L. B. Tobias. Some of the most prominent orig-
inal members of the class were William Dunkelberger and wife, John
G. Yetter, John Tetter and wife, Philip Yetter and wife, Gotlieb
Hochstrasser and wife, George Hochstrasser, Julia Yetter, and Mary
Hochstrasser. William Dunkelberger was the first class-leader. The
society was organized by the Rev. John F. Shnee, who continued as-
the first pastor. His successors have been the Revs. G. M. Young,_
John Schweizer, A. Gotschel, A. Strickfaden, C. Ghestatter, J. K.
Schulz, and the present pastor, J. J. Lintner. The first trustees were
John Yetter, William Dunkelberger, and J. L. Lutz, and the present
ones are John Yetter, Christ. Rothe, and Peter Wagner. A flourishing-
Sabbath-school is well attended the year round ; seventy-three scholars
are now enrolled, with John Yetter as superintendent. Mr. Yetter has-
filled this responsible position ever since before the organization, and
has been a class-leader in the church several years. The society owns-
a tasteful and substantial house of worship, standing on the southeast
corner of Sec. 5. It was erected in 1875 at a cost of $3,000, including
the lot which it occupies. The dimensions of the building are 32 x 46
feet, and the dedicatory services were held by Bishop Jacob J. Escher.

Mass was first read to the German Catholics by Father Westkam,.
of Mendota, at the house of Peter Kimbler, about 1863. At that time
there were Peter Buchholze, Peter Schneider, John Herman, Joseph

782 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Herman, Frank Herman, Frank Bates, Thomas Down, Frank Bates, jr.,
Peter Kimbler, and six other families who joined in the organization.
Only ten of these were permanently settled in the township. Father
Westkam advised the immediate building of a^church, and nearly $2,000
were at once subscribed. The next year a house built of stone and
costing some $3,000 was erected on the northwest corner of the S.W.
^ Sec. 16; the main building is 26x40, Mnth an addition sometimes
nsed for a school in which the children receive instruction in the tech-
nical education required by their religion. John Harman donated four
acres of ground for a churcln-ard. The first priest who celebrated mass
in this church was Father Nigg, of Mendota. Fathers Goldsmith,
Gobbels, Anthon Butter, Frank Schriber, Fi-alech, Joseph Baenak and
Charles Hahn have been the later celebrants. Father Hahn, the offi-
ciating priest at the present time, comes from Chicago once a month.
Fifteen families now constitute the membersliip of the church.

A German Lutlieran society was organized in 1870 by the Rev.
William Halleberg, at the Byrd school-house, with the families of the
following-named jjersons: George Erbes, Ehrhard Ilochstrasser, George
Hochstrasser, Godford Gherich, Lewis Gherich, William Hackmann,
Henrj^Schultz, Jacob Rubel, Jacob Scheinholtz, and John Scheinholtz.
Preachers have served this society in the following order : Eevs. Will-
iam Halleberg, Charles Weinsch, John Feiertag, H. H. Norton, W.
O. Oetino', and W. Krebs. There are now eight families who hold
meetings at the Byrd school-house once in five weeks. They have a
Sunday-school superintended by the pastor on preaching Sabbaths.
George Erbes has been the trustee from the beginning.

A society of Dunkards was organized at the Byrd school-house in
1863. Occasional meetings had been previouslj' held in other places.
The original members were eight in number, as follows: John Toft
and his wife Margaret, Alva R. Harp and his wife Amanda, William
Vroman and his wife Elizabeth, and D. C. Yroraan and his wife Cath-
erine. Their numbers finally increased to eighteen. The Rev. John
Fillmore settled in the township soon after the organization and was
the only minister the society ever had. A. R. Harp was the first
deacon. Services were held at the Byrd, Beemerville and Twin Groves
school-houses. At the end of three or four years the members removed
to Marshall county, Iowa. An organization of Dunkards holds regular
services still at the Byrd school-house.

The subjoined notes relating to pioneer history should have appeared
under their proper heads. As early as 1844, and from that date for
eight or ten years, regular preaching was had at Allen's Grove. About
1848 a Presbyterian society was formed, and maintained an existence
several years. The Revs. Baker, Breed, and another, were the preachers.

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 783

Afterward a Methodist society was instituted. The Rev. Gammon, a
Baptist, also held meetings at the Grove.

A family of Littletons came to Smith's Grove near 1845, and the
younger >members lived there until recent years. A Scotch family of
Platts arrived about 1854 from Aurora, but were originally from Prince
Edward's Island.

CEMETERIES.

Besides churchyards and some private burial lots there are the Ells-
worth and Twin Groves cemeteries, both desirable locations for sepul-
ture. The former is on the south side of the public road and of Sec.
34, and obtained its name from Isaac C. Ellsworth, on whose farm it
was laid out. iThe other is situated on the S.W. ^ of S.E. J Sec. 17,
adjoining the public road, on a prominence falling off on every side,
and washed on the north by Willow creek. Mrs. James Thompson
gave one acre and sold half an acre more for this site. It is held in
trust by the school trustees of the township, who sell the lots for $5
apiece. Several handsome monuments have been set up in this beau-
tiful city of the dead. Each, Darin, Miller, Eees and Tetter, have one,
and the Thompsons two.

" The dead are here. I hear their steady throw
Of shuttles moving in the upper sky,
Weaving a fabric pure and white as snow."

VILLAGE OF LEE.

This flourishing village is situated in the counties of Lee and De
Kalb, the part on this side of the line being on the northeast corner of
the S.E. i Sec. 1. The Chicago and Iowa railroad was completed to-
this point in the autumn of 1871, and at once a movement was begun
to inaugurate business. From a slight beginning has grown a live
town, bristling with activity, running over with trade, and from which
more produce is shipped than from any other station on the line. The
population is largely, if not principally, Norwegian.

The first building put up was a small one by Christopher & Jorgens,
which was used for a grain office and grocery. J. Cheasbro built an
office at the same time and started trading in grain, coal and lumber.
Both firms had their offices up in the fall, but transacted no business
until after ISTew Year's. R. J. White built the first store in the spring
of 1872, on the northeast corner of Main and B streets, and soon after
a post-office was established and he received the appointment of post-
master. His partner, named Knight, sold out after three months to
A. B. Trask ; the latter disposed of his interest to Henry Moore, and
he to W. H. Bryant. The firm then added farm machinery to their
trade. In 1874 White retired, and Mr. Bryant accepted the appoint-

784 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

ment of postmaster, and has been the incumbent of the office until now.
After three years he disposed of his store, and has since dealt only in
agricultural implements.

After White, J. Johnson started next in a general store on the west
side of Main, between A and B streets. In July, 1872, the railroad switch
was finished ; freiglit began at once to be delivered, and then the place
took a sudden advance. Abel Downer opened the third general store,
including a stock of drugs, on the southwest corner of Main and B
streets. Ostewig & Leyder started the same season in hardware.

The first dwelling was built by James Minnihan in 1872; the next
March W. H. Emmett erected the second ; and in 1874- others went
up, among these Mr. Christopher's, east of the track. •

Frank Bacon built a hotel on B street, in the early winter of
1872-3; in 1874 A. B. Trask built the second, which is now the only
place of public entertainment, and is called the Clifton House, a well
kept establishment, of which John A, F. Lambert is proprietor.

The north elevator, built by J. Cheasbro, went up in the fall of
1872, and immediately in the winter following Christopher & Jorgens
erected the south one. The first butcher shop was opened on B street,
east of the track, in 1872; next year William Finton moved it onto
Main street, north of B, where he has enlarged it, and now occuj^ies it
for a market and dwelling. Miss Margaret Edsall, first milliner and
dress-maker, opened rooms in 1873. The present drug store, kept by
W. F. Forbes, was built in 1873 for a saloon, and the next year moved
to its present location on B street. In 1873, also, Lars Holland put up
a wagon shop, and Iverson & Espe a smithy. These shops and the
elevators were on the east side. The same year N. D. Schoenholz built
a harness shop, L. L. Risetter a store and dwelling on the southeast
corner of Main and B streets, Lars Midnes a notion store, Knudt Ty-
son a photograph gallery, and Trask a store and dwelling, first occu-
pied by C. H. Rathburn, and afterward sold to John Dyas for a saloon.
Cheasbro sold his elevator and lumber-yard this year to McLean, West
& Co.

Stevens and Prestegard built a hardware store on Main street in
1875, and B. H. Skoyles began the grist-mill, finishing it the next
year. In 1879 Christopher & Jorgens remodeled their elevator and
put in a stationary engine and wood-working machinery. The present
year (1881) Sardis Yosburgh erected a handsome brick store on the
northeast corner of Main and B streets. This is the first brick struct-
ure raised in Lee.

The village was incorporated in 1874, and the first board of trus-
tees, consisting of James G. Boardman, Arthur McLane, William R.
Baumbach, A. B. Trask, and W. H. Bryant, held their first meeting

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 785

August 11. McLane was chosen president, and John Johnson clerk of
the board. The trustees for the current year are P. P. Hill, president;
William W. Hallett, clerk ; W. H. Emmett, T. P. Dalton, H. W.
Johnson, and K. O. Ostewig. This town, no more exempt than others
from annoyance, has been, like them, plagued with the saloon nuisance.
In the spring of 1878 the party opposed to licensing the sale of liquors
came into power, and have since that time been in the ascendancy.
This good achievement was originally due to the revival efforts of Mrs.
Trego, from Ohio, a temperance lecturer who came and held meetings
two weeks.

The first school was opened in December 1874, in the Dyas build-
ing, with W. H. Emmett as teacher. In the summer of 1875 Miss
Eva Bryant taught the school in the Midnes building, and the follow-
ing winter it was kept in the same place by Henry W. Davidson. In
the spring of 1876 Miss Margarett Edsall taught a term in the shop
she had formerly occupied in the millinery business; and that summer
the district built the present school-house. In this building Miss
Hampton kept the first term ; J. L. Johnson then had the school two
years, and the later teachers have been Miss Mary Griffin, J. W.
Shanks, William H. Hallet, and Mrs. George Lattin. This is a union
district, and Henry E. Daniels, Charles Childs and A. B. Trask were
the first directors.

A converted Jew, calling himself Prof. Ryder, delivered the first
public discourse in the fall of 1874, in the Dyas building, which had
been used for a saloon. The room was not yet cleared of the rubbish
of the ungodly traffic, and the seats were made by laying planks upon
the empty beer kegs found on the premises. The same day a union
Sabbath-school was organized in this house, and W. H. Emmett was
elected superintendent. Preaching was now begun here by the Rev.
Nicholson, of Shabbona, for the Methodists, and the Rev. Clouse, of
the same place, for the Baptists. The next summer the public and
the Sabbath schools, and the religious meetings, were removed to the
Midnes building, where each was regularly held until the school-house
was erected, in 1876. The two denominations held alternate services
up to the time that the Methodists built their church, in 1877, when
the Baptists discontinued their meetings about a year. They have
since used the Methodist church every other Sabbath. Elder Clouse
preached until January 1, 1879, and the Rev. E. W. Hicks since that
date. The Methodist ministers after the first have been Pomeroy, one
year ; A. B. Metier, two years; Dickens, one year, and W. H. Records,
one year. The Sabbath-school has always been a union one. W. H.
Emmett was the first superintendent, for two years, the school then
lapsed the same length of time and was revived with Samuel Hender-

786 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

son for superintendent. He was followed after the second year by J.
W. Shanks for one year; then W. H. Emmett returned to the position
six months, and now T. P. Dalton has it.

The Methodist church, built in 1877 and dedicated December 30,
cost nearly $2,000. In the following April the steeple was struck by
lightning, causing a damage of $125. The house is a gothic, 28x42,
durably constructed, with a chaste exterior, and surmounted by a neat
spire. It stands in De Kalb county.

Before the Catholic church was built in Lee, people of that faith
had to travel long distances to attend mass; the nearest was at Twin
Groves on the west, where services are held but once a month. It was
thirteen miles to Rochelle, eighteen to De Kalb, and twenty to Sand-
wich. In view of the needs in this matter, in the spring of 1878 M.
P. Harris, John Kennedy, James Kirby and Bernard Malloy started
the scheme for building a church in this place. Kirby was designated
by them as treasurer, and Harris acted as secretary. These men went
to the Catholics living in the adjoining country, and from those who
would give to the object they took good notes, bearing ten per cent inter-
est, and in three days raised $3,000. John Kennedy, James Kirby and
Stephen Kirby divided the notes equally among themselves as col-
lateral, and each advanced $1,000. The men first named now went
forward and built the church. John Kennedy gave one acre of ground
where the building stands, and this, with his cash contribution,
amounted to $500, the largest sum donated by any person. The house
cost $3,200. It occupies a sightly location in the west part of the vil-
lage, and is 10x60 feet on the main foundation, with an extension in
the rear running back eighteen feet. It was dedicated in the autumn
of 1878 by Father Yerdin, vice-president of the St. Ignatius College,
Chicago. Father Edwards, of Rochelle, was the priest in charge when
it was built. Mass is celebrated every other Sabbath by the Rev.
Father Tracy, of the same place.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

BoBEKT Smith, farmer and stock raiser. Paw Paw Grove, son of John
and Jane (Colvill) Smith, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, June 22,
1822. Emigrating with his parents in 1837, he reached Ottawa in
July, and the next month arrived at Smith's Grove, so named from his
father, the first settler. This designation was given by the government
surveyors. Prior to this the place had borne the name of Dry Grove,
for the reason that it was watered by no stream, and two claimants had
been in possession, namely, Cameron, who sold to James Armour and
he in turn to John Smith. The claim included all the woodland except
a scattering growth, and lines called for no attention at this period, for

WILLOW CREEK TOWJSTSHIP. 787

none had yet been established by survey. Neither house nor cabin
had been built and only a few logs cut. The family located on Sec, 35,
"Willow Creek township, and erected a cabin on or near the present site
of David Smith's house. In December they were rendered houseless
by fire, but the loss of house was the smallest damage, for with plenty
of timber at hand that could speedily be replaced, but not so with the
gold and silver coin lost in the ruins, and the clothing, and bedding, and
fine large library of books dissipated in smoke and air. This was the
second house built in this neighborhood and the fii'st burned in these
parts. A second cabin was erected by the Smiths a few rods east of the
first, and soon they had relapsed into routine ways, with too many
frontier cares for time to contemplate sadly their diminished wardrobe
and furniture, but it was no easy matter for a reading family to become
reconciled to the loss of their books. Besides the subject of this sketch
the Smith children were John, Alexander, Martha, and Jane. Alexander
was born on arrival at Ottawa, and John died in August, immediately
after the settlement at Smith's Grove. This was the first death in
Willow Creek township. The family remained together until Martha's
marriage to William Hopp, about 1840. Mr. Smith's present farm is a
part of the original claim. He made entries of land at different times
directly from the government. Tiie first pieces were the S.E. ^ and the
]^. W. J of S.W. ^ Sec. 35. He owns 290 acres, in the highest state of im-
provement, hedged with willow and osage orange, containing valuable
orchards, and a beautiful two-story residence, with arcade in front and
elegantly furnished throughout. This place, known all over the country
as Willow Farm, has a high reputation for the natural beauty of its
location and a variety of cultivated attractions, which denote the rare
taste of its possessor. In an article upon this delightful country seat
the " Amboy Times " says : " The Willow Farm, the residence of Robert
Smith, two and one-half miles north of West Paw Paw, is an exhibition
of art and nature combined, to show what could be done to harmonize
discordant elements and to grow into symmetry a beautiful home-
residence in this great State of Illinois. Mr. Smith's father came to this
country in an early day and selected this choice spot now matured into
a paradise. . . . All in all this impresses one with a love for a country
home." Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Harriet M.
Paisley, daughter of John H. and Jane M. (Low) Paisley, of Wayne
county, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1856. Mr. Paisley was reared in
Philadelphia and Mrs. Paisley was a lady of French extraction, from
whom, doubtless, Mrs. Smith inherited her exquisite love of the
beautiful. Three children have blessed their union and inspirited
their home with the sunshine and gladness of domestic joy : Ella G., a
graduate from the Jennings Seminary, at Aurora, whose accomplish-

T88 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

ments in the fine arts are of a high order, is the wife of Teal Swarthout,
of West Paw Paw, Bertha B., now Mrs. William Crompton, living near
Cliatsworth, Livingston count}', displayed at a very early age a delicate
poetic taste and power, which suggests at once a recollection of those
fairies of verse, the Davidson sisters. When fifteen years old her
poems, appearing under tlie name of " Bertie," were admired and
received appreciative comment. One piece, written when she was
fourteen, entitled "Would that I were a Child Again," leads the
reader to think of the writer as one of mature years. Clyde W., the
youngest child, is living at home. He has been about two years in
attendance at the Classical Seminary at East Paw Paw, and this season
will enter the Chicago University to fit himself for the practice of the
law. Mr. Smith is a republican in politics. He has held township
office and was the first supervisor of Willow Creek township.

David Smith, farmer and stock raiser, Paw Paw Grove, son of
John and brother to Robert Smith, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland,
Jul}' 16, 1831. His father was thoroughly educated for the ministry
in the Presbyterian church, but abandoned his purpose to become a
farmer. In 1837 he came to America and located with the rest of the
family at Smith's Grove, which received its name from his father, as
the original settler at that point. In December after arrival the cabin
which they had erected was burned down, and nearly all their effects,
including a large and valuable library, were lost. His father in trying
to remove a trunk containing all the coin they had and other articles of
value was burned in the face by ignited tallow streaming down froin
overhead, and was obliged to drop the trunk and leave it to be de-
stroyed with its contents. This misfortune made him destitute, and
he had to bu}' corn on credit at $1 per bushel. It was seven years be-
fore he could pay for it, and the same time elapsed before he was able
to save $50 to buy forty acres of land. He gave for his claim in the
first place $150. While struggling in the midst of straits and difficul-
ties a cousin in Scotland sent him $100, which seemed at that time
like a special providence hi the form of a small fortune. To raise the
$50 mentioned he sold cows at $7 apiece and a very fine young mare
at $35. At that time three-year-old steers would bring but $!!•
People hauled pork to Chicago and sold it for $1.50 to $2.50 per hun-
dred. Potatoes delivered there brought thirty cents,' and wheat fre-
quently no more than forty cents per bushel. At the Farmers' Hotel,
in that city, a man could get supper, lodging and breakfast, and hay for
his team, all for fifty cents. When Mr. Smith's father died, in 1860,
he had three hundred acres of land as the reward of his industry, pri-
vations and self-denyings. The mother did not survive long after their
arrival in Illinois, but died in 1840. Deer abounded here in great

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 789

numbers, and wolves were so nnmerous that the repeated attempts at
sheep husbandry were aggravating failures. Young Smith embraced
such opportunities as there were for schooling, and obtained a fair edu-
cation by attending winters until he was of age. His earliest teacher
was Robert Walker, who taught first on the town place, and to whom
he went six terms. Another of his instructors was a man named
Smith. His school was on the west side of Peru street north of the
depot in West Paw Paw. Mr. Smith is the owner of several choice
tracts of farming land. In his homestead on Sec. 35 are 110 acres
and across the road in Wyoming in Sees. 1 and 2 and 330 acres more.
In Sec. 3 of Wyoming and Sec. 34 of Willow creek are 112 acres, and
in the latter township in Sec. 26 are 120, and Sec. 33 still another piece
of 80 acres. On the death of their mother, about 1864, Mr. Smith
received into his family nine nephews and nieces over whom he has
exerted a truly benevolent and fatherly care. Three have died, three
are doing for themselves, and the others are still at home. None of
his nieces have married. To each of the boys he gave $1,000 when
twenty-one. Since reaching manhood Mr. Smith has been most of the
time in office. He was assessor several terms, and school trustee and
treasurer fourteen years.

Nathaniel A. Nettleton, deceased, was born in Ireland, Septem-
ber 30, 1829. About 1843 his parents, Benjamin and Maria (English)
Nettleton, with their family came to Sterling, Illinois, and in 1845 re-
moved from thence to Smith's Grove, in this county, where they bought
a farm in Sec. 35, Willow Creek township. This is now owned by
Philip Pierce. After Nathaniel became of age he worked out, rented
farms on shares, and traveled according as circumstances favored his so
doing. On December 28, 1858, he was married to Miss Jane Smith,
daughter of John and Jane (Colvill) Smith. Shortly after this event
he bought the Bishop farm, adjoining the home-place on the west. In
February, 1865, he enlisted in Co. I, 15th 111. Inf., and was taken sick
while in camp in Chicago. He was furloughed to come home and re-
cruit his health, and three weeks later died at his residence, of inflam-
mation of the lungs, contracted by exposure in the barracks. A sud-
den change in the weather found the soldiers without an adequate
supply of blankets. Mr. Nettleton was interred in the Ellsworth
burying-ground. His widow, thus bereft, had the sole care and train-
ing of thi'ee small children fall to her lot, but by judicious manage-
ment she has been able to keep her family together and to save her
home. All the children are still with their mother. These are Cora,
Harley, and Arthur. The eldest is twenty-one and the youngest nearly
eighteen. Mr. Nettleton's father was a carpenter, and not in very easy
circumstances when he came to this state.

790 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Leavis M. Faikciiild, farmer and stock raiser, Paw Paw Grove,
was born in New York, June 22, 1831. When he was five years
old his parents, Samuel P. and "Willmot (Ogden) Fairchild, moved to
Canada, where they resided eighteen years. Early in 1850 our subject
apprenticed himself to the blacksmith trade at Mount Pleasant, learn-
ing it in three years, together with carriage ironing and all kinds of
work appertaining to this business. In the spring of 1853 he came to
Lee Center, this county, and worked one year; after that he was em-
ployed at West Paw Paw by James Symonds and made the first stir-
ring and breaking plows and corn cultivators ever manufactured in the
place. He was married here December 3, 1854, to Elizabeth, daughter
of Oliver Edmonds, of Shabbona, De Kalb county. Her father was an
early settler near Washington Grove, in Ogle county, to which place he
came in 1838 and made a claim of 160 acres, which he sold to John
Edwards. In 1855 Mr. Fairchild removed to Amboy and the follow-
ing spring went by ox-train overland to California, making the jour-
ney in three months. He was on. the Pacific coast less than four
months and returned via ISTicaraugua and Graytown. Early next year
he located at Shabbona Grove and worked at liis trade two years. In
1859 he bought 120 acres in Sec. 33, Willow Creek townsliip, where he
now resides, and to this subsequently added a tract of eighty acres. In
1862 Mr. Fairchild enlisted in the 75th 111. Inf. He fought at Perry-
ville, where he was three times struck with bullets ; one was stopped
by the brass on his belt and another lodged in his pocket-book. At
Stone River he was captured by the enemy and escaped, but was re-
taken the next day. He had been in their hands but two hours the
second time when Col. Brownlow led a cavalry charge on the Mur-
freesboro pike and rescued the prisoners, including Mr. Fairchild.
During Mr. Fairchild's absence his wife, quite as heroic as any soldier
in the field, remained on the farm plying her lonely cares and waiting
with fortitude for her husband's return. From December, 1864, till the
next September James Pike, of the 1st Tenn. reg. (rebel), was the
hand in charge of the place. He was a prisoner and enlisted in our
navy, but by reason of a wound was rejected and Mr. Fairchild got
permission to send him to work on his farm. Tlie subject of this
sketch had three brothers in the 13th 111. Inf. He is a republican and
a Mason, and belongs to the Metiiodist church, of which Mrs. Fair-
child is also a member.

Lewis E. Durin, farmer and stock i-aiser. Steward, was born in
Newfane, Windham county, Vermont, March 8, 1820. His parents,
Ethan and Mary (Gates) Durin, were of English descent. When our
subject was fifteen his father moved to Franklin county, Vermont,
where he owned a farm. Lewis stayed at home till he was twenty-one,

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 791

and his health having become inij3aired he spent his twenty-second
year at Saratoga Springs. The next seven years he worked most of" tlie
time as a laborer. In 18i9 he came to Rockton, Winnebago county,
Illinois. In the autumn of 1850 his brother Gilbert arrived from the
east, and the two together entered, in Sees. 5, 6, 7 and 8, pieces of land
aggregating half a section. In 1853 the parents also came west, and
from that time until their death, in 1865, they had their home with
Lewis. The mother died February 23 and the father April 11, On
February 8, 1854, Mr. Durin was married to Miss Margaret Rees,
daughter of Thomas and Margaret Rees, of Virginia. They have had
four children : Martha died in 1861, at the age of six and a half years ;
Ida M. lives at home ; Ada E. is the wife of W. W, Brittain, and Will-
iam G. is at home. Mr. Durin has made a number of changes in his
farm, by selling off and buying again, to bring it to that standard which
his fancy approves, and now it is one mile square and contains many
pleasing and valuable improvements. The grove is a feature that can-
not fail at once to attract notice. It covers four acres, one half is white
ash, the other European larch and a few soft maples, the whole regu-
larly arranged in rows. The value of his land is much enhanced by
the fine buildings which it contains. There are seven principal ones.
His beautiful residence stands Bear the site of his old house. Two
barns are each 30x50, one is 30x68, the hay barn is 30x40, the corn
barn 24x50, the carriage-house 20x30, and the granary 16x24. Mr.
Durin is a republican in politics. He has been four times elected
assessor. His brother, Ira S. Durin, for some ten years justice of the
peace of Willow Creek township, will be remembered as prominent in
the early history.

E. W. HoLTON, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, son of Wesson and Hepsi-
beth (Durin) Holton, was born in Vergennes, Yermont, May 21, 1839.
His father was a millwright. In 1853 he moved west and settled at
Twin Grove, where he still resides. Edmund lived with his grand-
father Holton at Dummerston, in his native state, until the next year
after his father's departure, when he ran away, and by the aid of a lit-
tle money given him by an uncle reached Chicago. Arriving on Sun-
day he asked for entertainment at the first house he saw, and was kept
till Monday. The man being a workman in a machine shop he accom-
panied him to his work in the hope of getting something to do for
money to continue his journey, but his entertainer was generous enough
to raise $5 for him and he went on his way with gratitude in his heart.
He came directly to Twin Grove, knowing that here he should find
his father and the Durins. He worked the first year for his uncle, Ira
Durin, and after that was at homo with his father till his majority.
Beginning in the autumn of 1860 he worked by the month for nine

792 HISTOKY OF LEE COUNTY.

months at Prophetstown, Whitesides county. In August, 1861, he
volunteered in Co. B, 34tli III. Inf., and the tirst engagement in which
this command participated was at Corinth. Mr. Holton was taken
serioush' ill at Nashville and was discharged on surgeon's certificate.
Tliis sickness disqualified him for labor during the first year at home.
On December 25, 1862, lie was united in marriage with Miss Cordelia
Mittan, daughter of Jeptha Mittan. In the fall of 1863 he took his
father's farm and worked it twelve years, and in October, 1875, bought
his present home, an improved farm of eighty-six acres, on Sec. 20.
Mr. Holton is a republican. His four children are Elmer D., Arthur
E.., "Wesson, and Larilla. His grandfather, Wranslow Holton, is living,
at the advanced age of ninety-two.

DwiGHT Davenport, farmer and stock raiser, Paw Paw Grove, son
of Erastus and Pamelia (Dayton) Davenport, was born in Delaware
county, New York, June 15, 1829. His father was a farmer in good
circumstances, who had eleven children. At the age of ten our subject
went to live with his uncle, Charles Davenport, a merchant at Angelica,
Alleghany county, New York. Here he attended school at the Alle-
ghany Academy fonr years, and was graduated in the class of 1850.
The remainder of the time he was clerking in his uncle's store, until
1859, when he came west and settled in Willow Creek township, buying
120 acres of wild land in Sec. 27, on which he is still residing. On
January 31, 1854, he was married to Miss Margaret Hickman, daughter
of Abram and Esther (Searles) Hickman, of Lansing, Tompkins county,
New York. They have reared one son, Charles T., who married Miss
Mary, daughter of Andrew Stubbs, an adjoining neighbor. In 1881
Mr. Davenport erected a fine new house on his premises, which is
18x34 in the main part, with a wing 18x22, two stories and a base-
ment. Politically he is a republican.

Albert Glasspoole, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, was born in the
county of Norfolk, England, October 14, 1834. His father, who died
when Albert was but ten years old, was commander in the Honorable
East India Company service. Albert w^as educated first at the Yarmonth
Grammar School, and then at a naval school, in the city of Yarmouth.
At sixteen years^of age, as midshipman, he made his first voyage to
Melbourne, Australia, in the government service, taking out one hun-
dred and fifty distressed needle-women from the port of London. From
Melbourne, with a cargo of smoked mutton-hams, he sailed to Hong-
Kong, China, and thence, with teas and silks, returned to London. His
second voyage was from the port of Yarmouth to Constantinople, with
a general cargo, in his uncle's schooner, a pleasure trip described by the
sailor phrase, " In everybody's mess and nobody's watch." In 1853 he
was appointed to the Poyal Mail Steam Packet service, as fifth ofKcerj

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 793

and for nineteen months was stationed out at the Island of St. Thomas.
Diirino^ this stay the ship encountered one of the most fearful hurri-
canes on record. It was about this time that Gen, Santa Anna made
his final escape from Mexico, and young Glasspoole thus describes his
connection with that affair : " Having run into Havana on our return
voyage word came to us through the Spanish pilot that we would find
Gen. Santa Anna in the Bahama channel on board the Spanish man-of-
war, and he would like to have us stop and take him to St. Thomas.
Accordingly I was sent ofl:' in charge of a boat to get him. On going
aboard the Spanish steamer I was introduced to the general's wife and
told her I was ready to take them aboard. After taking the general
and his wife aboard I returned with two boats for his money and his
suites. The money was in silver bars; there were two good boat loads
of that." While "lying to" at Grey town, on the isthmus, Glasspoole
saw that whole town burned to ashes by American men-of-war. Failing
in an attempt to bombard it down the men went ashore and fired it
with tar and kerosene. Glasspoole assisted in taking the refugees oiF
to an island. It may be of interest to mention that the last ship to
which he was appointed in this service was the Trent, afterward so
noted in the Mason and Slidell case. Mr. Glasspoole received a very
complimentary letter from the court of directors, dated May 10, 1856.
We quote just enough to indicate its character : " Conveying expression
of their satisfaction at the praiseworthy conduct displayed by you on
the night of the 30th ult., and also at the high character given you by
Capt. Abbott." Shortly after receiving this letter, as a further mark
of esteem, he was honored with a very gratifying promotion. In 1857
Mr. Glasspoole emigrated to America. At Batavia, Illinois, he was
married to Miss Laura Carr, daughter of Capt. Carr, of the U. S. Mer-
chant service. His first years of western farming were spent on rented
land in Kane county. Here his change from sailor life was attended
with some curious and somewhat expensive experience. He was wont
to say, "Yes, I am naturalized, at a cost of $2,000." About 1866 he
came to Willow Creek township and bought 160 acres. He has a good
farm all paid for. He has one son, who has crossed the Atlantic twice
and is now a student at East Paw Paw ; also a brother is colonel in the
Queen's service.

Christopher Yandeventer, farmer, Lee, son of John and Mary
(Boyer) Yandeventer, was born in Erie county, New York, in 1815.
His grandfather Yandeventer was captain of a company of rangers in
the revolution, which did duty as scouts for Gen. Washington. His
grandfather Boyer was a soldier in the same war. Both these fought
at the Cowpens and in several other battles. His father served on the
frontier in the war of 1812, invaded Canada under Gen. Yan Rensselaer,

794 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

and helped storm and capture the British fort at Queenstown, October
13, that year. The subject of this sketch was raised a farmer, but took
up the carpenter and joiner trade, and followed it most of the time
during his earl}^ life. On September 6, 1838, he was married, in
Michigan, to Miss Miranda Salisbury, who was the mother of four
children : Irwin (dead) and Edwin (twins), William and Christopher,
and died in 1845. His second marriage was with Mrs. Eozillow Low,
June 6, 1846. The children by this union were Mary E. (dead),
Martha -(dead), Ellen J., Eber R. (dead), Isabell, James and John
(dead). This wife died September 27, 1858, and he married again,
December 1, same year, Mrs. Ann Baker. By her first marriage
she had ten children ; by the last, one, Mary Alice. Her death oc-
curred January 24, 1874. Mr. Yandeventer's fourth marriage was to
Mrs. Elizabeth Braithwaite, on February 11, 1875. By the first hus-
band she was tlie mother of the following children : Maria Elizabeth,
Sarah Ella, Cai'oline (dead), Laura, Emily, Ida, Ada, and Louis P.
Mr. Yandeventer has been commissioner of highways of Willow Creek
township, and school director in his district eleven years. As an
Odd-Fellow he belongs to Spartan Lodge, No. 272, at East Paw Paw,
and to Paw Paw Encampn:ient, No. 52. He has passed all the chairs
in the lodge, and in politics is a democrat. His farm of 182 acres,
valued at $11,000, contains never-failing wells and springs, and is the
best watered farm in the country. He has an orchard of choice fruit
unequaled in this region. His sons, AVilliani and Christopher, volun-
teered and served for three months at the beginning of the war, and
fought at the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. The latter reen-
listed for three years, and served his full time. Irwin entered the
service in the fiill of 1861, for three years, and was color-bearer of his
regiment; he fought at Forts Henry and Donelson, and at Shiloh,
where he was taken prisoner by the rebels and confined until the follow-
ing June, when he was released and died the same month of typhoid
fever, at Huntsville, Alabama. Eber enlisted in the regular army just
after the war, and went to Fort Scott, and from thence to Fort Stan-
ton, New Mexico, where he died.

James C. Howlett, farmer and stock raiser. Paw Paw Grove, son
of Horjitio G. and Amanda M. (Canfield) Howlett, was born in Onon-
daga county. New York, March 22, 1837. When six months old he
came with his father to Chicago, then to Dixon, and finally, in 1839,
to his present home at Allen's Grove. He was well prepared with a
practical education for the business of life. His earlier instruction
was obtained in the log cabin schools of the neighborhood. His first
term was in one part of the Shoudy treble log house, and his teacher
was a Miss Nettleton. His next preceptress was Laura Brace. At a

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 795

later date he was a pupil of Bobby Walker, who had a school near the
old Robinson place. This knight of the ferule was excellent both as a
scholar and teacher, and was fond of quoting Bobby Burns, which he
had at his tongue's command. Mr. Howlett finished his studies at
the Lee Center and South Side academies. In 1860 he went to the
Rocky Mountains. He taught three terms of school in Missouri, and
was in that state at the breaking out of the war. In June, 1861, he
enlisted in a company which was recruiting there, and was appointed
orderly sergeant ; but not being mustered into the service, and sus-
pense and inactivity ensuing, he came home, driving through with a
herd of cattle, and barely escaped being taken by guerrillas. This
company was afterward accepted and cut to pieces at Wilson's creek,
where two-thirds of the men were killed. Before his departure from
Missouri he spent an evening with Gen. Price, and on his arrival at
Quincy saw the first rebel flag captured in that state. On August 6,
1862, Mr. Howlett volunteered in Co. Iv, 75th 111. Inf., and served
till the close of the war. He fought at Perrysville, and his regiment
was engaged at Stone River, Chickamauga, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca,
and elsewhere on the Atlanta campaign, and the subsequent service
in Tennessee against Hood, ending in the battles of Franklin and
Nashville. The last half of his term was served in the assistant adju-
tant-general's office, where he had charge of the clerical force. He
was one of thirty who competed for the position ; all having sent
specimens of penmanship, he was selected for the detail. One of his
duties was to go through the brigade every evening and obtain a list of
the casualties, in which duty he was often very much exposed. On his
return home he went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was with his brother
several months in the post-office. His marriage to Sarah Jane, daugh-
ter of James Fowler, of Shabbona, occurred April 13, 1867. To these
parents five children have been born, namely, Mary, George G.,
Amanda B., Wilbur and Florence C. Mr. Howlett is a republican,
and takes a lively interest in the success of his part}^, and contributes
his personal influence, which is by no means limited, to keep it in
power. For many years he has been a member of the republican cen-
tral committee for Willow Creek township. He has filled the office
of supervisor five terms, town clerk four, collector one, and is present
incumbent of the office first named. He is well known as an experi-
enced and efficient school teacher.

HoEATio G. Howlett, retired, Paw Paw Grove, is the son of Par-
ley and Phebe (Robbins) Howlett. He was born in Onondaga, Onon-
daga county, New York, August 31, 1809. His father was a native
of Yermont, and one of the earliest settlers in Onondaga county. His
mother was born in Connecticut. Mr. Howlett enjoyed good oppor-
47

796 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

tnnities for securing an education, and did not let them pass unim-
proved. He took a course of studies at the Onondaga and Homer
academies, and is now one of the five only living ones who were fellow
students at the latter institution when he was there. In his twenty-
first year he and a brother engaged in salt manufacture at Geddes ; at
tlie end of a year they sold out and went to merchandising for another
year. On his twenty-first birthday Mr. Howlett was united in mar-
riage with Amanda Malvina Canfield, of Syracuse, with whom he lived
in great happiness until August 3, 1850, when she was taken from
him by death. Not long after his marriage he settled on a farm,
which he sold when he came west in 1832. In January of that year
he emigrated ; he started for Chicago, and had his goods shipped there
by way of the lakes, but on reaching Niles, Michigan, was taken sick
and compelled to remain at that place till his resources were exhausted
by exorbitant charges. His parents were wealthy and he could have
obtained assistance from them by making known his condition, but he
disdained to do this, and had his effects sent back to Niles. Here he
was appointed deput}^ sheriff on his recovery, and filled this oflice and
remained in the town three years. In 1835 he came to Chicago and
opened a meat market, near the spot where the Tremont House now
stands. At that time there was but one white woman in the place.
He got control of all the butchering business and secured a driving
trade, Indian and emigrant patronage being very large. George Smith,
since one of the heaviest bankers in the city, and Alexander Mitchell,
the railroad magnate, of Wisconsin, had a little brokers' ofiice, and Mr.
Howlett deposited with Mitchell every night his wildcat funds, in
which business was then mainly transacted. The first day his receipts
were $60, the second day $400, and at the end of thirty days $3,000.
All that he ever got back into his hands was the small sum of $60. In
the autumn of 1837 he left Chicago and came to Dixon, where he re-
sided two years. A few log cabins and two frame buildings stood at
that date in the town. In 1839 he settled at Allen's Grove, where he
has had his home until the present time. He purchased a claim of
160 acres on Sec. 36, for $1,000. The land was not surveyed into sec-
tions till two or three years afterward. Mr. Howlett boarded the sur-
veying party when the work was done in this neighborhood. Aside
from his interests in farming since he came here, he has been an active
and influential business man. At one time in the early history of the
county he kept hotel in Dixon ; about 1851 he went to merchandising
in Paw Paw, in company with A. B. Sears, who decamped, leaving him
to pay the heavy debts of the firm ; he was justice of the peace ten
years and constable four. While trading in Paw Paw his children
were living in the east, attending school ; from the time his eldest

WILLOW CEEEK TOWNSHIP. 797

daughter returned to keep house for him he has since had at least one
of them with him. He was the parent of nine chikiren, four of whom
died in infancy. George Marvin, agent for the JEtna Life Insurance
Company, lives at Fort Dodge, Iowa ; James C. resides on the home-
stead ; Harriet Amanda is the wife of O.J. LeMoin and lives in Mich-
igan ; Cornelia Caroline married Cornelius Vosburg, of Pennsylvania,
and Frances Maria, relict of Samuel Foresman, is now Mrs. George
Piatt, of Kansas. The first two years that Mr. Hewlett lived here he
cast the only whig vote in the precinct, and for his devotion to his
principles, the democrats, when speaking of his politics, designated
him by an inodorous adjective. The polls were held alternately at
Malugin's Grove and Paw Paw Grove.

S. W. Weeks, hardware merchant, Lee, was born in Kendall county,
Illinois, in 1852. His parents, "Wier and Susan (Sunde) Weeks, emi-
grated from Norway in 1846, and settled at Big Grove, Kendall county,
wdiere both are still living. He was engaged in general farm work
until seventeen years of age, and then was attending school the next
three years at Luther College, in Decorah, Iowa. From twenty to
twenty-eight he taught in the common schools. In the spring of 1880
he became a partner with Christopher & Jorgens, of Lee, in the grain
trade, and in December disposed of his interest and formed a partner-
ship with O. J. Heng, under the firm name of Weeks & Heng. They
purchased the hardware store of Stephens & Prestegard, and began
trading just at the close of the year. Mr. Weeks was married October
29, 1878, to Miss Trudy J. Kogde, of Willow Creek township. She
was the daughter of Jacob and Elsa Rogde. They have one child,
Elsa Sophia, born in 1879. Mr. Weeks is a republican, and he and
his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

William H. Bryant, postmaster and implement dealer, Lee, was
born in Wyoming township in 1847. His parents were Obed W, and
Sarah (Lindsey) Bryant, with whom he lived at home on the farm until he
was sixteen, when he went to Hillsdale College, Michigan, and devoted
himself to study four years. The following year he spent in Sedalia,
Missouri ; returning to Illinois, he was engaged in 1869 in farming,
and in 1870 went to Idaho and Oregon. In these places he passed a
year sight-seeing and prospecting in the mines. In 1871 he returned
home and farmed until the autumn of 1872, when he went into a
general store at Meriden, La Salle county, and on March 30, 1874,
associated himself in partnership with P. A. White, of Lee, buying out
the interest of Henry Moore. They did a general merchandising
business, and extended it to include agricultural implements. After
three months Mr. White retired, and was succeeded as postmaster by
Mr. Bryant, who also continued the trade three years alone. At the

^98 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

end of that time lie sold his stock of goods, and has since confined his
business to the post-office and the sale of farming implements and
machinery. Mr. Bryant was united in marriage with Miss Ada M.
Haish September 15, 1881. She is a comniunicant in the Methodist
church. He was collector of Willow Creek township in 187T, and in
1879 he was the republican nominee for county treasurer against Isaac
Edwards, of Amboy, but failed of election by sixty-four votes. He is
an Odd-Fellow, and was a charter member of Fidelia Lodge, No. (!35,
I.O.O.F., which was organized in Lee, and in 1880 removed to Steward.
Mr. Bryant is a whole-souled man, of pleasing manners, gentlemanly
and accommodating.

Ole G. Jelle, farmer, Lee, fifth in a family of seven children by
Gonder and Ayer (Jorgendatter) Jelle, was born in Norway, September
13, 1850. He attended the common schools of his country and worked
as a laborer until his emigration in 1871. Two of his brothers arrived
later, Atlaak and Ole, the youngest in the family. He settled in this
township, and has made his home here until now. April 21:, 1881, he
was married to Mrs. Amelia Prestegard, widow of George Prestegard,
and daughter of Lars Oleson. She was married the first time February
2, 1876, and her husband died May 30, leaving two children : Georgiana,
born November M, 1876, and Isabella Lida, November 21, 1878. Mr.
and Mrs. Jelle both belong to the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Edw^n Edwards, farmer, Lee, son of Einner and Christina (Einner-
son) Edwards, was born in Norway in 1828. He was in the military
service of Norway seven years ; he was drafted when twenty-one, and
drilled and did garrison duty. A part of the time he was permitted
to be at home. When in camp he at first received six cents per day,
but toward the close of his service got ten cents, and the last year his
wao'es w^ere increased to twelve cents. When Amund Hilleson emi-
grated to this country, in 1851, Mr. Edwards took his place with the
employer, Thurstan Hoagland, and worked for him two years as $10
per year. After that, until he came over himself, he worked indepen-
dently as a laborer. In 1858 he embarked for America in a sailing
vessel in command of captain Bunaway, and Avas two months in cross-
ino- the ocean. He settled in Bradford township, where he was married
in the autumn, soon after his arrival, to Miss Johanna Kitter, who was
born in 1832. She took passage with him from Norway. Mr. Edwards,
like most of his countrymen, is a good example of what industry, steady
habits and careful management will do in this free land of equal privi-
leges. When he came here he had but §14 to begin with, but he had
learned not to shirk hard work, and he laid hold at once of the tools of
labor with a fixed resolution to make a respectable home, and whoever
visits his place cannot fail to mark how completely he has succeeded.

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 799

He has an intelligent family growing up around him to receive from
his indulgent care the comforts and benefits which he has marshaled
around him. In the spring of 1862 he came to this township and
bought eighty acres of land, the N. f of N.E, ^ Sec. 11. He has since
added 120 more, and values the whole at $10,000. Both himself and
wife are members of the IsTorwegian Lutheran church, and he is one of
the trustees. Their children are Gabried Hanson, Nellie Henrietta
(now Mrs. Barney Jacobson), Julia, Edwin, John Michael, Lena, Anne,
Edwardena, and Swan Arnoldos. Mr. Edwards is a republican in politics.

William Geoye, farmer, Lee, son of William and Cornelia (Clay)
Grove, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1834. His father
was a soldier in the last war with Great Britain. In 1837 his father
settled in Knox county, Ohio, and there his mother died when he Avas
twelve years old. Shortly afterward the family removed to Seneca
county, and some years subsequently to Fulton county, where they
lived ten years. In 1863 they left Ohio and came to Willow Creek
township, and bought from 'Squire Ira Durin the farm on which Mr.
Gi'ove is now living. It is the N.W. J Sec. 21, and is valued at
$8,000. Here the senior Grove died May 3, 1872. The subject of
this sketch was married February 17, 1861, to Miss Amanda Gee,
daughter of Henry and Eliza (Williams) Gee. She was born May 20,
1811. Mr. Grove enlisted in December 1863, in company H, 100th
Ohio Yols., and was attached to the first brigade, third division, 23d
army corps. He served on the Atlanta campaign and was engaged in
a good deal of small fighting; he returned to Tennessee under Thomas
to resist Hood's invasion, and fought at the battles of Franklin and
JS^ashville. Before this, late in the autumn of 1863, he marched to
Knoxville, to the relief of Burnside. After the destruction of Flood's
army in Tennessee he went with his corps to !Nortli Carolina and
helped to finish up the rebellion. He was discharged at Toledo, Ohio,
in July 1865. Mr. Grove is a republican. His nine children are ail
living, and are named as follows : Emma C, Mary C, Nora L., Ada L,
Ella C, George P., John H., Nellie Frances, and Clyde Arthur.

Lewis P. Boyd, farmer, Lee, third son of Peter and Sarah (Olson)
Boyd, was born in Norway, December 7, 1838. He emigrated to
America in 1857, and stayed the first summer in Kendall and Bureau
counties. Next year he went to Iowa, where he remained till the au-
tumn of 1859, and then went to Mississippi for some months. Coming
back to Iowa the following spring, he left there in June for Kendall
county, Illinois, and there enlisted in July in Co. D, 36 111. Inf. He
campaigned in Missouri, fought at Pea Pidge, marched from there to
Cape Girardeau and Pittsburgh Landing, and reached Corinth just as
the rebels had evacuated the town. The following summer he was in

800 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Mississippi, campaigning; he was taken from Ryan by boat and rail to
Cincinnati when Bragg marched to the Ohio; from there he fell down
to Lonisville by boat, joined in Buell's pursuit, and fought at Perry-
ville. Subsequently he was in the engagements at Stone River, Chicka-
mauga and Missionary Ridge ; marched to Knoxville ; campaigned
some the following winter in the Cumberland mountains; went on the
Atlanta campaign ; fought at Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, and Lost Moun-
tain, and was wounded June 18, being shot through both thighs. He
lay in the general field hospital several days, then was sent back to
Chattanooga, then to Nashville, next to Jefferson ville, and from thence
to Camp Butler, Springfield. At Jefferson ville, through the careless-
ness of surgeons and nurses, gangrene got into his wound and he was
nearly sacrificed to bad and harsh treatment. His time expired four
months before he was discharged from the hospital, in January 1865.
He could not abandon his crutches for a long while ; still has to use a
cane sometimes, and draws a pension from the government. In 1867
he began farming on his own land ; in 1870 he went to his present
home of eighty acres, which is worth $4,800. In 1871 he was married
to Miss Sophia Johnson. Their children are Sarah Louisa, Isabel Me-
linda, Anna Maria, Olena Martinda, Peter Oly and Engerborg. Both
parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and Mr. Boyd
is a republican. He has been constable four years, collector three
years, and is now road commissioner and school trustee.

John Yetter, steward, is one of the most prominent citizens of
Willow Creek, and a leading farmer and stock raiser. He is the only
living son of John G. and Katrina (Meyer) Yetter, and was born in
Germany in 1835, where he was reared to farming, and received a
good common school education. In the spring of 1854 Mr. Yetter
emigrated to this country, and stopped nine months in New York,
where he was joined by the rest of the family, — two parents, four
brothers, and seven sisters. They all came to Putnam county, Illinois,
and engaged in farming there on rented land. In the fall of 1859 Mr.
Yetter came to this township and purchased 160 acres where his house
stands, being the S. i of KE. i and the N. i of S.E. i Sec. 5. His re-
lations soon followed him here, except a sister, who resided in the
West but one summer and now lives in New York, and his mother,
who died in 1857. His father has since lived with him. He was mar-
ried in the autumn of 1857, to Miss Lena Schoenholz, by whom he has
a large and interesting family of nine children : John P., Carl T., Lena
E., Mary M., George, Jacob, Fred, Franklin B. and Julia May. Mr.
Yetter and his wife and the two eldest daughters ai-e members of the
German Evangelical or Zion church, and he is a republican. Of public
offices, he has held that of supervisor eight years, and of road commis-

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 801

sioner three. He owns 312 acres of land, 192 where he lives, and 120
just over the line in Alto township, which is improved with valuable
buildings ; large, perfect and imposing willow hedges, and is stocked
completely with the best patterns of farm implements and machinery;
but it is as a stock farm that it is itiost important, for Mr. Yetter, dur-
ing some years, has made the breeding of thoroughbred cattle a spe-
cial feature of his business. His horses are of high grade, and all his
animals give evidence of his care and skill in this favorite branch of
industry which he has chosen. His farm is valued at $20,000. No
man in this section of country is more widely and favorably known
than Mr. Yetter, and the portrait which is given of him in this work,
we feel sure, will give great satisfaction to his numerous friends.

Geoe&e L. Erbes, farmer, Lee, oldest child of George and Elizabeth
(Grossardt) Erbes, was born at Knox Grove, in this county, April 28,
1855. He has always worked at farming and attended the English
schools. He was married May 23, 1876, to Miss Mary E. Hackmann,
who was born May 2, 1855, in Peru, Illinois. Her father, William
Hackmann, came to America in 1849 a single man ; in 1850 he returned
to the old country and was married to Henrietta Klute. The couple
then came and settled in Peru. Mr. and Mrs. Erbes have had two chil-
dren, George William, born October 9, 1877, died November 7, 1879 ;
and Elizabeth Sophia, born April 9, 1880. They both belong to the
German Lutheran society, which worships at the Byrd school-house.
Mr. Erbes is a republican.

George Erbes. farmer, Lee, eldest son of George and Philopena
(Schwabenland) Erbes, was born in Germany in 1824. He was a farm
laborer in the old countiy. In 1853 he emigated to America and settled
at once in Peoria county, Illinois, where he lived four years, the first
three working as a hand, and the next year renting land. His marriage
with Miss Elizabeth Grossardt, who was born also in Germany in 1826,
and came to this country in 1853, was in 1855. In 1857 Mr. Erbes
moved to Lee county, and lived three years at Knox Grove. In 1860
he brought his family to Willow Creek, and bought the E. ^ of S.E. ^
Sec. 11. He began here with very small means, as he himself says,
" a poor man, almost without property," but with true German pluck
and industry he struggled along, aided by his equally persevering wife,
until they now have a home of 210 acres, valued at $12,000. He
subsequently bought the W. ^ of N.E. ^ Sec. 14, and the N. i of S.W.
^ Sec. 12. They have raised four children and have one dead : George
L., who married Miss Mary Hackmann, Fred W., William D., Kate E.,
wife of John Greene, and John P. (dead). The whole family belongs
to the German Lutheran church. Mr. Erbes is a republican and an
esteemed citizen.

802 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Ole W. Oleso:n', farmer, Lee. In 184:7 his father, Lars Oleson,
emigrated from Norway to Bradford township in this county. He was
a carpenter in his native country, and soon after his arrival obtained
employment as a workman in the Grand Detour plow-works, and was
there with Col. L. Andrews four years. While working in that place
he saved enough money to buy forty acres of land in Bradford town-
ship in partnership with Lars Hilleson. On quitting the plow factory
he bought more land, and finally had 120 acres, which he improved.
He was married in that township in 1818, to Isabel Hilleson, and the
first child born to them was the subject of this notice, in the same year.
Besides Ole they had three others. Hoi den, Amelia, now Mrs. Ole G.
Jelle, and Betsy, wife of Ole Rogde. In the spring of 1863 the
father moved with his family to Willow Creek and settled on Sec.
10, where he still lives. He owned here at one time 480 acres, but
sold 160 and divided the remainder among his four children, all of
whom reside in this township. Ole was married in February 1868, to
Miss Augusta Oleson, Avho was born in Norway October 4, 1849. Her
mother died when she was eleven years old, and two years later she
emigrated with her father, who died five years afterward. The three
children of these parents are a son and two daughters, Isabel Florence,
Lewis, and Gnre. Mr. Oleson and his w^ife belong to the Norwegian
Lutheran church. He owns the S.E. J Sec. 10, valued at |18,000.

Amund Hilleson, farmer, Lee. The first Norwegian settler in
Willow Creek townsliip was Amund Hilleson, second son of Hilla and
Emaline (Emmonson) Helge, born in South Bergen stift (state), Nor-
way, June 20, 1821. His father died wdien he w^as six years old, and his
mother being left in destitute circumstances with six children, the latter
were bound out according to the custom of that country in regard to
the poor, that is, each farmer takes one in his turn for a length of time
corresponding to the amount of property he owns ; while sometimes
the poor are bid off at auction, the keepers being paid for their care and
trouble. Mr. Hilleson was provided for according to the former
method. When sixteen years old he was able to take care of himself,
and hired out the first year for $5 and his clothing, the second year for
$7 and clothing, and so on, gradually but Yery slowly increasing until
he had worked thirteen years, the last two or three years receiving as
high as $10 and a little clothing per year. Four years before he had
enough money saved to emigrate he began to turn his thoughts wist-
fully toward America, and from that time worked with the sole object
of coming at the earliest time he could be ready. That time arrived
in 1851, and he came directly to Sublette township, where his brother-
in-law, Lars L. Risetter, was living, and worked tlie first year in the
employ of Thomas Fessenden through haying and liarvest for $11 per

^ WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 803

month. In 1852 he bought the N.E. ^ Sec. 15 in Willow Creek for
$1.25 per acre, and continued to hire out as a laborer until he had been
here five years. In 1855 he began to improve his land, keeping house
for himself , two years, when, in 1857, he was married to Miss Emaline
Larsen, who was born May 8, 1822, and emigrated to Sublette in 1855.
They have had two children : Helge A., born in 1859, and Evaline,
born September 6, 1863, and died December 16, 1866. The whole
family belong to the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Hilleson con-
tributed liberally toward the erection of their house of worship, having
given to that object some $600. In 1875 he bought the K.W. ^ Sec.
15 for $8,150. He has one of the best improved and most desirable
farms in the country, which is valued at $19,000. He is a republican
and one of the solid men in means and character in Willow Creek
township.

Heney Baenhaed, farmer, Lee, son of Henry and Eva (Rinehart)
Barnhard, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1808. In 1850 he
came to Twin Groves, and after renting land one or two years from
James Thompson, bought his farm, which he still owns and occupies,
on Sec. 9. He entered the southwest quarter, and afterward sold the
south half. His farm of eight}' acres he values at $5,200. He was
married in Ohio about 1839, to Miss Harriet Kearns. They have had
the following children: Matilda, wife of George Davenport, living in
Kansas ; Joseph (dead), Bigelow (dead), Emma, married Ebenezer Pet-
tenger (dead) ; Henry, living at home ; Melville (dead), and Marj^, at
home. Joseph enlisted in 1863, fought in two battles, and died at
Yicksburg from disease. Bigelow enlisted first for one hundred days ;
he served his time and then enlisted for three years, and died in New
York before reaching the seat of war. Mr. Barnhard is a republican.

Robert J. Thompson, farmer. Steward, was born in Hampshire
county. West Virginia, March 2, 1847. He was the son of Robert and
Zulemma (Taylor) Thompson, was reared a tiller of the soil, and re-
ceived a common school education. His grandfather Thompson ran
away from his home in Ireland and came to America before the revo-
lution. He fought in the cause of the colonies, and after the war set-
tled in Hampshire county, where the subject of this notice was born.
His grandfather Taylor was an Englishman and fifer in the revolu-
tionary war, and Mr, Thompson's mother has his fife in her possession.
In March, 1865, Mr. Thompson emigrated to this county and settled
in Willow Creek, and in 1868 he was followed by his parents. His
father had owned land in this township a good many years before he
came here to live. Mr. Thompson owns 150 acres, left him by his
father, valued at $10,000. He is a democrat in politics, and is filling
his fourth term as town clerk of Willow Creek. He was married

804 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

March 15, 1870, to Miss Eva L. Flagg, daughter of Lucius H. and Al-
raira Flagg. She was bom April 16, 1847. They have had four chil-
dren to bless their home : Gruy, George, Nora, and Eddie (dead).

Jacob B. Fisher, deceased, son of Thomas and Mary M. (Bookes)
Fisher, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, October 6, 1810. He
lived at home on his father's farm until of age. In that day the cus-
tom among shoemakers was to go around the country and make the
boots and shoes for families at their houses, the leather being furnished
b}' those having the work done. The subject of this sketch took up
the trade without serving an apprenticeship, and did the work for his
father's family, the arrangement being that the other boys should do
the out-door work. When he became twenty-one he went on a farm
of eighty acres, mostly woodland, and was married January 28, 1833,
to Miss Ruth Carleton, who was a daughter of Thomas and Hannah
(Reese), and was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1812.
About 1836 they removed and settled near Columbus, on a farm of
120 acres of their own; and in 1853 they emigrated to Willow Creek
township, where Mr. Fisher bought 400 acres of land. These parents
had fourteen children : Martha E. (dead), Mary J., now Mrs. Patrick
Daughert}^; Thomas C, married Miss Avais Moore; Sarah Ann, wife
of John Hickey ; William (dead) ; Adeline, now Mrs. William H. Dow ;
Margaret, wife of Benjamin W. ISToe ; Hannah (dead) ; Lydia (dead) ;
Adolphus, married Dolly Siglin ; Phebe, wife of John C. Grove; Elea-
nor; Jacob, married Miss Elma J. White, and James, married Miss
Estella Conklin. Mr. Fisher was a democrat in politics, held the office
of supervisor and road commissioner, and was a member of the Presby-
terian church from early life. Mrs. Fisher belonged to the same de-
nomination, but as there was no Presbyterian church here she first
joined the United Brethren and afterward the Methodist church, of
which she is at present a member. She and Jacob and James live
upon the old homestead, which contains 240 acres, valued at $12,000.
Mr. Fisher died January 9, 1857, much regretted. Mrs. Fisher was
left with a very large family, but she proved equal to her heavy re-
sponsibilities in successfulh' rearing her children and managing the
affairs of the farm.

William Dunkelberger, farmer, Steward, was born in Pennsyl-
vania in 1820. His parents, Solomon and Christiann (Harmon) Dun-
kelberger, had six sons and four daughters. His great-grandfather
emigrated from Germany before the revolution, and two uncles named
Dunkelberger served the country in the war of 1812. When the sub-
ject of this notice was eight years old his father removed with his
family to New York, and he lived there, w^orking as a farmer, until
1867. In that year he camQ to Willow Creek and bought the N.E. ^

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 805

and a part of lot 1, N.E. I of S.W. i and lot 2, N.W. i of S.E. i Sec.
17. He has recently purchased thirty-two acres adjoining on the west,
and now owns a pleasantly situated farm of 215 acres, which he values
at $15,000. ,In 1815 Mr. Dunkelberger was married to Miss Sarah
Knedler, who was born in 1819. They have had seven children, as
follows : Mary Sophia, wife of Henry J. Evers, Sarah Jane (dead),
Caroline Elizabeth (dead), Phebe Adelia, Hannah Amelia (dead),
Christiann Esther (dead), and Maria Catherine, now Mrs. August Mer-
tons. Both parents are members of the German Evangelical church of
Willow Creek, and Mr. Dunkelberger was the first class-leader in that
society. He is a republican.

Louis P. Smith, farmer, Lee, son of Charles and Mary (Clayton)
Smith, was born in Pennsylvania in 1815. His father served in the
last war with England, and was in some engagements. Mr. Smith left
home when a j'oung boy and went to live with a man named Isaac
Smith, who was a miller, aud from him he learned the same trade. He
was employed at this twenty years. In 1831: he settled in Ohio, where
in 1840 he married Miss Mary Spring, who died in 1841:, leaving one
child, Byard. He was married again January 24, 1847, to Miss Eliza-
beth Armstrong. By the second marriage six children have been born,
as follows: William, Hannah Jane, Jacob, Daniel B. (in Colorado),
George, and Louis Milton. In 1854 Mr. Smith removed to this town-
ship and selected a home at Twin Groves, and the following year came
to live on his present farm, the S, ^ of S.W. ^ Sec. 9, which he now
values at $5,200. He has been road commissioner several terms, and
is a democrat in politics. His son Byard enlisted in the 27th 111. Yols.
in 1862, but was shortly after transferred to another regiment and
served his term of three years. He fought at Stone River and Lookout
Mountain, served on the Atlanta campaign, the march to the sea, and
the campaign of the Carolinas.

HiLLA L. HiLLESON, farmer, Lee, eldest son of Lars and Augusta
(Swanson) Hilleson, was born in Sublette township, this county, May
15, 1857. His father, a brother to Ommon Hilleson, the first Norwe-
gian settler in Lee county, emigrated from Norway in the same party
with I^ars L. Risetter, in 1847. A brother and sister accompanied him
all the way to Lee Center. These were taken sick with cholera, and
as everybody was afraid to go near, the care of them fell on him, and
his whole time was divided between the work he had to do and his
attentions to them. He had $100 when he arrived, but this was
soon spent for the sick, and at last both died. By proper precautions
he was prevented from taking the disease. But the saddest office was
the last, a painful one, when l\e had to give his own brother and sister
sepulture without assistance. The next year, in partnership with his

806 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

brother Oinmon, he rented ground and sowed seventy acres of oats and
planted twenty acres of corn. The oats these two cradled, and the
W'hole crop they hauled to Chicago after it was harvested. From this
crop he got a little start, and after working with his brother a few years
got a piece of land in Sublette. Finally he married, and lived in that
township until about 1866, when he came to Willow Creek, where he
now lives. Hilla, his son, was married March 15, 18Y7, to Miss Bertha
E. Winterton, who was born in Bergen stift (state), Norway, in 1857.
She emigrated with her parents Allen O. and Bertha P. (Espy) Win-
terton, in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Hilleson belong to the Norwegian
Lutheran church, and are the parents of two children: Augusta Louisa
and Betsy Margaretta.

Jacob E. Miller, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, was born in the town
of Greenfield, Saratoga county, New York, in 1827. His father fought
in the battle of Plattsburg, New York, in the last war with England,
and married for his wife Maria De Grauph. Mr. Miller was raised on'
his father's farm, and at the proper age was apprenticed to the black-
smith trade, but he never worked at it after he finished his time. In
1848 he left his native state and settled at Bristol on Fox river, in
Illinois, and lived there eight years, working by the month at farm-
ing. In August, 1854, he was married to Miss Jane S. Brown, of
Bristol, who was born in 1827. In September, 1856, Mr. Miller
moved with his family to his present home on the S.E ^ Sec. 28, in
which he owns eighty acres. In addition to this he has forty acres in
Sec. 27, and both pieces are worth $6,000. His building location is
one of the most sightly in Willow Creek, and admits of an extended
view of the country which is beautiful and picturesque in this region.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller have reared four children : Charles L., Florence
D., Frank G. and Thaddeus E. Charles was married in 1879, to
Miss Celestia Griswold ; Florence lives in Colorado, and Frank is a
soldier in the 21st IT. S. Inf , is orderly sergeant of his company, and
superintendent of the post school on Vancouver's Island. The sub-
ject of this notice is independent in politics.

AxDREW Stujujs, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, was born in Hartford,
Oxford county,f,Maine, March 11, 1820. His parents were Nathan
and Sophia (Allen) Stubbs. Mr. Stubbs worked at farming till he
WMS twenty years of age, and then went to New Bedford and shipped
on board a whaling ship and was away during a four years' cruise.
He sailed around Cape Good Hope, visited New Zealand, Australia,
the Society Islands, and the Navigator Islands. His second voyage
lasted nearly four years. He went around Cape Horn, visited the
Chilian part of St. Carlos and Talcahuano, the Peruvian port of Callao,
went to Lima, nine miles back of Callao in the interior, called at the

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 807

Sandwich Islands several times, and cruised in the Japan and the
Okhotsk seas. The third and last voyage he made consumed over
three years, and on this he shipped as second mate. He landed lirst
at the Azorec, next at the Cape Yerde Islands, then at the Sandwich
Islands, stopped at Sitka, spent one season along the coast of Kam-
tchatka and in the Arctic ocean as far north as the 72° of latitude and
the ice barrier. Here he came near being devoured, at one time, by
Esquimaux dogs. He sailed now to the Sandwich Islands and Hong
Kong, then back again to those islands on his passage home around
Cape Horn. His vessel touched at Pernambuco, and loaded with
oranges. Between the second and third voyages he was at his home
in Maine one year farming. He was on the water twelve years, and
from the time he began following the sea until he quit was fourteen
years. Mr. Stubbs was married in Massachusetts in 1850, to Miss
Lucinda Green, from near Cleveland, Ohio. She was born in' East
Cleveland in May 1832. Her grandmother Gunn was one of the
earliest, probably the second white woman, to settle on the western
reserve. These parents have nine living children : Elizabeth H., now
Mrs. George Hinckley ; Charles A.; Benjamin, married to Miss Ella
Shoudy : Almond L. ; Mary, wife of Charles Davenport ; Albert, Lillie
May, Ida, and "Wealthy. Shortly after the close of his last voyage,
and in July 1853, Mr. Stubbs came to Lee county, and settled in
Willow^ Creek township, where he has since lived. He was first on
the Nettleton farm a short time, and then came to his own 120 acres
on Sec. 27. He has been road commissioner, and is a republican.
Mrs. Stubbs belongs to the United Brethren church.

JS^ATHANiEL C. Allen, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, born in Hartford,
Oxford county, Maine, in 1822, was the son of Nathaniel and Polly
(Tinkham) Allen. His mother was descended from Ephraim Tink-
ham, who came over in the Mayflower. The descendants had in their
possession until recent years a kettle which their ancestor brought
with him, and which was used until the bottom wore through. Mr.
Allen pursued farming and lumbering as his occupation while in
Maine, and in 1845 his father's family came to this township, and he
followed the next year. He still occupies the land which he then
entered — a, quarter of a section, worth now $8,000. In the w^inter of
1848-9 he went to Minnesota, and worked at lumbering. In the
spring he went down to St. Louis with a raft of logs. This was the
cholera year, and one of the raftsmen died on the float. The follow-
ing winter he went to Mississippi to cut cord-wood, but having cut his
leg badly, and being taken with chills and fever, he returned in Feb-
ruary. In 1861 he was married to Miss Emaline Johnson, of Yiola
township, who came with her parents from Yermont, and settled there

808 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

about 1849 or 1850. They have tour sons and tliree daughters : Cora,
Nettie, Rut'us, Aranda, Clarendon, Adelbert, and Blanche. These are
all living, and Cora is the wife of Terry Stevens, of Shabbona. Mr. and
Mrs. Allen are members of the United Brethren church, and he is a
republican. In February, 1865, Mr. Allen enlisted in Co. I, 15th 111.
Inf. He rendezvoused at Camp Fry, Chicago ; went thence to New
York, and from there to North Carolina, joining his command at
Raleigh. He marched to Washington City, participated in the Grand
Review on May 2-1, then was transferred to Louisville and St. Louis,
and was furloughed at the latter place. He rejoined his command at
Fort Leavenworth, where he was mustered out on September 17, 1865.
Mr. Allen has been twice almost fatally injured. The first time he
was run over by a runaway team, and had his facial bones broken.
The next time he was knocked down and terribly gored by an infuri-
ated bull. Mr. Allen held to the rope by which he was leading him,
while the animal rolled him about on the ground, and when in reach
of a tree wound it around and tied it, and then rolled away. It was
supposed each time that he could not live.

Noah W. Davenpokt, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, was born in Har-
persfield, Delaware county, New York, in 1823, and was the eldest
child in the family. His mother, whose maiden name was Pamelia
Dayton, was a native of Weathersfield, Connecticut. His father, Eras-
tus Davenport, was born in Columbia county, New York. His grand-
father Davenp)ort was a revolutionary soldier. The subject of this
notice traces his lineage in this country from the Rev. John Daven-
port, a co-founder of New Haven. In his "History of the United
States " McCabe thus refers to him : " In the year of the Pequod war
(1637) John Davenport, a celebrated clergyman of London, and The-
ophilus Eaton, a merchant of wealth, and a number of their associates,
who had been exiled from England for their religious opinions, reached
Boston. They were warmly welcomed, and were urged to stay in the
Bay colony ; but the theological disputes were so high there that they
preferred to go into the wilderness and found a settlement where they
could be at peace. Eaton, with a few men, was sent to explore the
region west of the Connecticut, which had been discovered by the pur-
suers of the Pequods. He examined the coast of Long Island Sound,
and spent the winter at a place which he selected as a settlement. In
April, 1838, Davenport and the rest of the company sailed from Boston,
and established a settlement on the spot chosen by Eaton." In the
campaign against the Indians, which resulted in the total destruction
of the Pequod nation, Capt. Davenport acted a conspicuous part.
When their fort on the Thames was assaulted and taken he com-
manded one-half of the assailing party, and Capt. John Mason, who

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 809

was in command of the whole expedition, directed personally the
movements of the other half. Mr. Davenport received a good English
education, and in 1846 commenced reading to prepare himself for the
practice of , medicine. In 1848 and 1849 he attended lectures at the
Albany Medical College, of New York, and in 1850 located in Lor-
raine count}^ Ohio. Subsequently he settled in Yan Wert county,
where his health failed, and then he came to Lee county, Illinois, re-
maining one year. In January, 1874, he went to Washington Terri-
tory, living there two years. In 1876 he returned to the east, and
finally- settled down on a farm in Willow Creek township. In the
summer of the present year (1881) he took a foreign tour. Dr. Daven-
port has had an eventful, as it is an interesting, history, but his native
modesty will not permit us to detail it in full. He was descended
from old-line whig stock, and is naturally a republican.

Geoege a. Beittain", farmer, Paw Paw Grove, was the second son
of William and Elizabeth (Oman) Brittain, and was born in Lycoming
county, Pennsjdvania, in 1848. His paternal ancestors were residents
■of New Jersey, and those on his mother's side belonged to Pennsyl-
vania. His parents reared a large family ; their twelve children were
named as follows : Margaret, Susannah, Sarah, Effie (dead), Hester
Miranda, Amelia, Mary, Rebecca, John, George, William Wesley,
Oman Peter (dead). John was a soldier in the 156th 111. Yols., and
served nearly a year. In 1855 Mr. Brittain's parents came to Lee
county and rented land ten years. In 1865 his father bought the farm
where our subject now resides, the S. -| of N.W. J Sec. 28. On this
place the former died in 1878, at the age of seventy-nine years. Mr.
Brittain has increased the homestead which he received from his father,
by the addition of the S.W. J of N.E. I Sec. 28, making 120 acres
valued at $6,000. He was married in 1876, to Miss Marietta Hall, who
is the daughter of Reuben Hall, and was born December 22, 1859.
Their children are Oman R., born August 15, 1878 ; and Martha, Sep-
tember 9, 1880. Mr. Brittain has been constable and collector, be-
longs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a republican. Mrs.
Brittain is a member of the United Brethren church.

Saedis Yosbuegh, farmer, Lee, son of Charles and Millicent (Yan-
luvanee) Yosburgh, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, July
8, 1836, His life-long occupation has been that of a farmer. In 1856
he came to De Kalb county, and settled at Shabbona, living there till
1867. The year before he had purchased of his present farm the S.E.
i Sec. 23. He has since bought eighty acres adjoining in Sec. 26,
making a total of 240 acres of very desirable land, valued at $12,000.
On March 27, 1867, he removed from Shabbona to this homestead.
His marriage with Miss Ellen Atherton, who was born in 1835, took

810 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

place on March 24, ISGi. They have three intelligent children : Will-
iam, born July 10, 1867; Fannie, December 22, 1868; and Nellie,
October 31, 1870. Mrs. Vosbnrgh is a commnnicant in the Baptist
church. Mr. Yosburgh has been road commissioner six years, and is a
republican in politics. The present year (1881) he put up a handsome
store building in Lee, the first brick structure ever erected in that
village. Mr. Yosburgh is one of the most respected men in Willow
Creek.

Thomas Nelsox, farmer and teacher, Lee, son of Nels and Guro
Samson, was born in Hardanger, Norway, September 26, 1843. His
youth from six to fourteen was spent in the district schools of the
country ; afterward he attended Yoss higher school for teachers at
Yossvangen, two j-ears. He taught one year, beginning in the spring
of 1861, and the following spring emigrated to America, and was en-
gaged as a teacher in the Norwegian select school in Chicago. He
taught till the autumn of 1864, and on November 1 enlisted for two
years in the nav}'. His whole service was on the Mississippi transport
Yolunteer. He was retained but half his time, and was mustered out
November 3, 1865. On his return to civil life he took one term of in-
struction at the Paxton University, in Ford county, Illinois, and then
taught again in Chicago until the autumn of 1866. Having been pre-
viously engaged to teach in the Norwegian Lutheran congregation in
Willow Creek, he came here that fall. Until 1870 he was teaching
and clerking; in that year he bought his present farm of forty acres;
since that date he has taught both English and Norwegian schools, and
clerked and farmed. Plis homestead is valued at §2,000. In the au-
tumn of 1868 he returned to Norway, and on April 2, 1869, took in
marriage Miss Bertha Swassand. They embarked the same season for
America. The fruits of this union have been three children : Nels
William, Carrie Louise, and x\ndrew. These parents are members of
the Norwegian Lutheran church, and Mr. Nelson is a republican. In
1880 he was commissioned notary public, and appointed census enu-
merator for Willow Creek township. In the spring of 1881 he was
elected to the oflice of justice of the peace.

Caleb M. Bacon, farmer, Lee, eldest son of Daniel H. and Mary
(Zuber) Bacon, was born in Pennsylvania in 1826. From his father's
farm he went at the age of nineteen to New Bedford, Massachusetts,
and engaged to go on shipboard. His first voyage was through the
Indian ocean, by way of Australia and New Zealand, to Kamtchatka,
thence to the Sandwich Islands, and from there home via Cape Horn.
This occupied twenty-two and a half months. From 1847 to 1849 he
was on a voyage in the Indian ocean, visiting Australia, island of Java,
strait of Sunda, thence home by way of Cape of Good Hope, touching^

WILLOW CREEK^ TOWNSHIP. 811

on the passage back, at St. Helena, In October, 1849, he sailed for the
Pacific ocean and Polar sea, making ports on the west coast of Sonth
America and at the Sandwich and other islands. This voyage lasted
thirtj'-one months. On his subsequent ones he went out and returned
by the way of Cape Horn. He shipped again for the Pacific and Arctic
oceans in October 1852, and visited the Sandwich and other islands
and Hong Kong, and was absent twenty-nine months. In the autumn
of 1855 he sailed over nearl}'^ the same route on his fifth and last voyage,
which he brought to an end in the spring of 1858, when his health
broke down and he took a discharge from the ship at the Sandwich
Islands, and came home from there as a passenger. The whole of his
sea-faring life was spent in the whale-fishery. In the fall of 1858 he
came to Willow Creek township and made permanent settlement on
the S.W. ^ of Sec. 14, where he has lived until the present time. He
had been twice to Illinois before, having come on visits between his
voyages. His first marriage was with Miss Sarah Pettibone, of New
York city, who survived her nuptials only five months. In 1862 he
was married again, to Miss Sarah Brittain, who was born in 1833, and
was the daughter of William Brittain. Five children have been born
to them : Rhoda, Daniel, Elizabeth (dead), Mary, and Homer. When
Mr. Bacon first came to the township he purchased 240 acres of land,
afterward he added 80 more, but now has 300, handsomely cultivated,
improved with substantial buildings, and valued at $15,000. He is a
Congregationalist, but the society to which he belonged, and which
assisted in building the Twin Groves Methodist church, has ceased, by
reason of removals, to exist. He has been road commissioner, town
clerk twice by appointment, assessor two years, and constable and col-
lector. He is an independent republican, and a public spirited and
prominent citizen.

Lars Laesen Risetter, retired farmer, Lee, was born in Hardanger,
Bergens stift (state), Norway, March 30, 1826. He was the youngest
son of Lars Larsen and Anna (Peterson) Risetter, and was reared to
farming, and received a common school education. In the middle of
March, 1847, he left his home in Norway to take passage for America ;
he was delayed a month in the city of Bergen, was a month crossing
the ocean, and still another month in reaching Chicago. He proceeded
from New York by the Hudson river to Albany, from tlience by rail
to Bufi:alo, and the remainder of the way by the lakes. Ommon
Hilleson, the first Norwegian settler in Lee county, had brothers and
sisters in the party with which Mr. Risetter came, and he was to meet
them in Chicago and transport them to Lee Center, but failed to reach
tliere before they got away, although they were detained awhile in the
place. "Big Nels," the most j)rominent Norwegian in the Fox river
48

812 HISTORY 01' LEE COUNTY.

colony, conveyed them as far as his home, and there they hired a man
and his team to bring them to Lee Center, where they arrived on June
20. Mr. Risetter was taken with fever and ague and was ill all sum-
mer, and not able to work before December. He arrived at Lee Center
sick, penniless, and unable to make himself understood and his wants
known to the strangers among whom he was cast, for Ommon Hilleson
was still in Chicago, or between the two places. To say the least, this
was a painful situation, and Mr. Risetter will never forget it. But the
cloud lifted somewhat and the sun shone with a brighter effulgence
when Hilleson returned, for then was the meeting of old-time friends
and near relations after long years of tedious separation and waiting.
In the autumn he was married to Miss Gertrude Hilleson, who had
taken passage with him from Norway, and immediately they hired out
in Sublette, to Thomas Fessenden, for $15 per month for the labor of
both. They continued so employed one year, and until they had saved
enough to buy 80 acres of land from the government, when they began
farming on their own account. They reared a little log cabin, in
which they dwelt with much comfort until 1856, when they sold out
and in February moved to Willow Creek. It should be recognized in
this place that they were the first family of Norwegian settlers in Sub-
lette township and the second in this. Mr. Hisetter bought the S. W. J
of Sec. 15 at the price at which the government sold public land, §1-25
per acre, but was not forehanded enough to pay for it ; so Col. Dement
advanced the money at ten per cent interest, and held it in his name
three years, when Mr. Risetter became the virtual owner. He and his
Mnfe labored with severe industry, and from this time dates a period of
signal financial success in their history. At one time they owned 920
acres of valuable land in a body, besides tracts in various other places,
but they have sold off 280 acres, and the rest is occupied by their
children. Both belong to the Lutheran church, and Mr. Risetter is a
republican. They have had seven children : Anna, Lewis, Holden,
Thomas (dead), and three infants (dead). Anna is the wife of A. C.
Olson, minister and farmer, and lives in Kankakee county, this state;
Lewis married Miss Melinda Johnson, and lives on the old homestead,
and Holden, who was married November 11, 1875, to Miss Julia
Christopher, lives on the N.E. ^ Sec. 21. Holden's three children are
Louisa, Betsy, and Lewis. The Risetters are among the most sub-
stantial, influential and best respected people in this part of the county.
Hexey Stevens, farmer, Compton, was born in Wayne county,
Pennsylvania, in 1826. He was tlie eldest son of Nicholas and Ann
(Ketterson) Stevens, and was reared a farmer by his parents. In the
autumn of 185-1 he came to Willow Creek and bought fifty-nine acres ;
returning to Pennsylvania he remained there that winter, and in the

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 813

following spring came back, and at once set about improving his land.
He has added to his original purchase until he now owns 126 acres of
choice farming land, estimated to be worth $6,000. In politics he ad-
heres, to the principles of the republican party. He has been twice
married, and celebrated his first nuptials with Miss Sarah Ann Sisco
January 1, 1860, and by her he had two children, John and Sarah
Annie. She died in February 1863, and on December 13 following
lie was married to Miss Mary Jane Sivey, who was born June 4, 1810.
By this second marriage there have been born to him three children.
The names of all his children and the dates of their birth are as follows i
John, October 15, 1860 ; Sarah Annie, January 31, 1862 ; Rosetta, Sep-
tember 19, 1864; Clarence, Januarj^ 21, 1866, and Levi, October 24,
1869.

Jacob Edwards, farmer, Lee, the fifth of eight children by Od and
Dora (Odson), was born in Norway, May 25, 1842. In June, 1866, he
emigrated to America and settled in La Salle county, where he lived
till 1872, working first as a hand and afterward renting land. In that
year he came to this township, and was married February 10, to Miss
Inger Odeson, daughter of John and Ann Odeson, who emigrated from
Norway in 1858. Mrs. Edwards was born in the old country June 27,
1854. Their five children were born as follows : Oscar John, Novem-
ber 8, 1873: John Ephraim, May 4, 1875 ; Dora, September 18, 1876 ;
Andrew Oly, November 3, 1878, and Marshal Lewis, December 2,
1880. In 1873 Mr. Edwards purchased the farm he now occupies from
his father-in-law, and his parents-in-law reside with him. His home-
stead consists of eighty acres on Sec. 22, is five miles north of Paw
Paw, and is worth $3,600. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are members of the
Norwegian church. The former left his parents in Norway, and his
mother died after his departure, at the age of seventy, but his father is
still living. In 1874 Mr. Edwards filed his declaration of intention to
become a citizen, in 1878 obtained his naturalization papers, and iu;
1880 voted for Gen. Garfield for president.

Samuel B. Miller, farmer and stock raiser. Paw Paw Grove, was^
born February 15, 1843. His father's given name is William, and his.
mother's maiden name was Eliza Vosburg. In the autumn of 1856-
his father brought his family to Illinois, settling in Yiola township,,
where the subject of this notice lived until the spring of 1867, and
then came to his present farm on Sec. 30. He owned 120 acres until
the spring of this year (1881) ; at that time he purchased 100 acres
more, and the whole, in a good state of cultivation, well stocked with
implements, and containing first-class buildings, is valued at $11,000.
Mr. Miller never learned a trade, but was descended from ancestors
who were all natural craftsmen, and his own practical ability in this

*

814 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

line of industry has enabled him to use tools all his life with no little
skill and real benefit. He does his own wood-work, and has put up
-all his buildings except one barn. His marriage with Miss Sarah Mil-
ler, daughter of Adam Miller, was celebrated July 22, 1866. Mrs.
Miller was born January 1, 1847. They have had seven children :
Joseph, Llewellyn and Lewis (twins), the latter dead, Nettie, Clement,
Delia, and Mary. Mr. Miller is a republican.

Ralph Kettley, farmer, Compton, son of John and Ann (Paul)
Kettley, was born in Wales in May 1828. He learned the shoemaker's
trade, and in 184!) emigrated to America with only enough money to
pay his way, and settled in Chicago in the boot and shoe trade in
partnership with John Blow. At the end of three years he moved to
Peoria, followed his trade there three years, then came to Ottawa a few
months, after which he moved to Bloomington, and was in that place
nearly a year. Kext he settled in Wyoming township, this county,
working at farming summers and at his trade winters for several years.
In December, 1864, he came into this township, where he had previously
bought 160 acres of land on Sec. 18, which is now well improved and
valued at $11,000. Mr. Kettley was married in 1852, to Miss Eliza
Beddow, who was born March 6, 1827. They have had eight children:
William, John, Lizzie (now Mrs. James Anglemj^er, of Compton), Julia,
Thomas, Harriet, Lillie (dead), and Mary, All these children except
William were born in Wyoming township. John lives in I^ebraska,
and was married this year (1881) to Miss Nettie Knapp. Mr. Kettley
is a republican. Mrs. Kettley's mother died when the former was only
ten years old, and for the next fifteen years she worked as a domestic.
She borrowed money on her own promise to pay, and emigrated to
America, in 1852, and after her arrival repaid it from wages she earned.
Her grandmother Beddow lived to the great age of one hundred and
three years, and when a hundred years old walked six miles to Mrs.
Kettley's mother's funeral and back. This couple have climbed a rugged
path together, but they have reached the summit of life, and the de-
scending sun looks down upon a happy family and a comfortable home.

James Thompson, deceased, was born in Virginia in 1803, and was
the son of John and Martha (Beard) Thompson. His parents remained
.and died in Virginia, while he, when a j'oung man, came to Ohio, and
living there two years, removed to Indiana. He was in that state some
twelve 3^ears, and in 1834 was married to Miss Amanda Dunten, who
lived near Fort Wayne. She was the daughter of Ephraim H. and
Abigal Dunten, and was born in Watertown, New York, in 1815, and
united with the Methodist church when eighteen years old. In 1841
Mr. Thompson moved to this county and settled at Malugin's Grove,
remaining there two years. In 1842 he bought a claim of William

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 815

Moore at Twin Groves, in company with Levi Lathrop, and the follow-
ing year settled there. His health having become impaired, in 1851 he
drove to California with an ox-team, remained there a little less than
two years, aiid returned b}^ steamship. JSTot long after his marriage he
became a member of the Methodist church, and was always an active
and exemplary christian. He took the principal interest in the building
of the Methodist chnrch at the Groves, and contributed very liberally
toward that object. He was constable once in Indiana, and was once
elected justice of the peace here, but did not qualify, and would never
afterward hold public office. He was modest in manner, retiring in
disposition, and loved a good name more than worldly goods, but
secured both, and left behind many warm personal friends to revere his
memory. His overflowing kindness to everybody, particularly to peo-
ple moving into the country and needing assistance, was proverbial.
He was a large-hearted man, benevolent always, and very active in his
charities, and many a poor heart has warmed in gratitude to him for
such practical remembrances as drive the wolf from the door. In all
his good works he was cordially supported by his estimable wife, who-
is still living on the homestead which their joint labors secured to
make comfortable their declining years. Mrs. Gilbert Durin, formerly
Catherine Norris, was reared in their home, as was also their niece,
Lucy Jane Blair, daughter of Robert Blair, who is now Mrs. Ebenezer
Pettenger, and lives in the Thompson home. "Aunt Amanda" has,
no less than Mr. Thompson had, a warm place in the hearts of a wide
circle of acquaintances. The latter died July 5, 1868.

Patrick H. Daughekty, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, was born in
Hancock county, Maryland, March 17, 1833. His parents, John and
Mary Daugherty, both died when he was young. He has been a
farmer most of his life, but during the four years immediately preced-
ing his immigration to Illinois he was on the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad, the first six months as brakeman and after that as freight con-
ductor. Except the first three months that he ran from Baltimore to
Washington, he was on the road from Baltimore to Martinsburg. In
January, 1855, he came to this state, and though he never learned a
trade, has worked as a mason since, about ten years altogether. He
settled first in Lee county. In 1858 he married Miss Mary Jane
Fisher, who was born July 28, 1835, and in 1861 he moved to Knox
county, living there nearly three years. Returning, he lived at Jeffer-
son Grove, Ogle county, one year. In 1865 he moved into Rochelle
and was there two years, and for two years after occupied a farm ad-
joining the town. In the fall of 1869 he came into Lee county, and
has since been in Yiola and Willow Creek, four years in the former and
the remainder of the time in the latter. In politics he is a democrat.

816 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Mr. and Mrs. Daughertj have had ten children : Thomas F., Alice J.,
Lydia Ann, James A., Ella P., John H., Etta E., Jnlia F., Jennie
(dead), and Minnie.

Adam Miller, farmer and blooded stock raiser, Paw Paw Grove,
was born in Xorth Hampton, now Monroe countj^, Pennsylvania, Aii-
ffnst 19, 1816. He was the eie^hth child of Frederick and Catherine
(Brong) Miller, and was descended from Teutonic ancestr^^, one of his
great-grandfathers being a German. He attended the common schools
of his day, was raised to farming and lumbering, and at the age of
eio-hteen beffan at the millins^ business. This he followed until the
spring of 1857, when he emigrated to Illinois, a poor man with nine
children and i^GOO, and located his family on the W. ^ of N.W. ^ Sec.
29. Afterward he bought the E. i of E. ^ of N.E. I Sec. 30, and the S.
W. i of S.W. J Sec. 20, making 160 acres altogether, valued at $12,-
000. This is beautifullj^ situated, highl}^ improved, and bears the
name of " Rosedale Stock Farm," on which Mr. Miller raises thorough-
bred short-horn cattle, grade horses, and blooded Poland China hogs.
He was born in Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, January
20, 1839, to Miss Mary ISTeyhart, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth
J^eyhart. She was born October 10, 1817. They have had ten chil-
dren : Cornelia (dead), Merritt, Clement (dead), Jenette (dead), Sarah,
William, Seldon, Holden, Charles, and Leonora. Merritt enlisted in
Co. K, 75th 111. Vols., in August 1862, and fought at Perryville ; after
that battle he was detailed as clerk, and in that position served the re-
mainder of his term of three years. Clement volunteered in February
1865, went to Chicago, where he was taken sick, and did not recover
till after the close of the war. Mr. Miller has been a professing chris-
tian since 1852. He united w^ith the Methodist Episcopal church in
that year, brought his church letter west, and when tlie Protestant
Episcopal church was organized here, united with that and remained a
member as long as it existed. He has no connection with any relig-
ious society at the present time, but helps to support preaching at the
Twin Groves Methodist church. Mrs. Miller was for many years a
Presbyterian, but has not united with any church since coming to Illi-
nois, and is now a Methodist in belief, having rejected the doctrine of
election. Mr. Miller was raised a Master Mason in Brooklyn Lodge,
No. 282, January 28, 1863 ; he was dimitted January 20, 1875, and
affiliated with Corinthian Lodge, 'No. 205, JSTovember 4, 1875. He is
a member of Rochelle Chapter A.F. and A.M., and belongs also to the
Masonic Benevolent Society of Princeton, Illinois. He was a democrat
up to 1856, but in that year cast his vote for Gen. John C. Fremont,
and has adhered to the same line of political faith since.

OsMAN J. Heng, hardware merchant, Lee, son of Jacob A. and

WILLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP. 817

Asher (Lenning) Heng, was born in Norway, April 19, 185i. In 1864
the family emigrated to America and settled in Alto township. Mr.
Heng attended the common schools at first, and was at the graded
school at Marshall, Wisconsin, two winters. In 1877 he began to learn
the tinner's trade in Leland, and was in that place up to the time he
came to Lee, in March 1879. He is junior member of the firm of
Weeks & Heng, and has been in trade in this town since December
1880. These gentlemen have a full assortment of goods in their line
and are doing a large business. They are young men full of enter-
prise, honorable in their dealings, and agreeable in their intercourse.
Mr. Heng was married Septeinber 14, 1878, to Miss Belle Thompson,
of Lee, daughter of Thomas Thompson, who still lives in Norway.
Tliey have one son, Jacob Otto, born August 7, 1879. Mr. and Mrs.
Heng are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and he is a re-
publican. When an infant, Mr. Heng was overtaken by a serious ac-
cident in the loss of his right leg, in the fall of 1854, in a horse power.
In the spring of 1878 his parents removed to Iowa, and on July 4, the
next year, while attending a celebration at Callanan, Hamilton county,
his father was fatally shot by a drunken rufiian, and died in about two
weeks.

George Mullins, farmer, Lee, son of Robert and Sarah (Hnllet)
Mullins, was born in Sheffield, England, in 1843. His father had for-
merly worked in the cutlery business, but when Mr. Mullins was a
very small infant he quit that craft and went to farming, and followed
it as long as he was engaged in any regular employment. In 1852 the
family emigrated and made a home in Shabbona township, De Kalb
county. His father's house stood within forty rods of the track of the
tornado which swept through these parts in 1860, and the doors and
windows were shattered. His mother had been in feeble health for a
long time ; the shock to her nerves was more than she could bear, and
she died in about two weeks. His father is now living retired in
Shabbona. Mr, Mullins was married November 14, 1866, to Miss Mary
Ann Bostock, who was adopted by William and Ann Bostock, when
she was three months old. Her own mother, Catherine Gray, died of
consumption nearl}' four years afterward. Mr. Bostock came to Amer-
ica in 1865 to view the country, and was followed by the family the
next year. They located themselves first at Shabbona Grove, but now
live on the county line in De Kalb county. They never had children
of their own, but have reared seven adopted ones. Mr. and Mrs. Mul-
lins have seven children : Sarah Minnie, Emma Louisa, William,
Robert, George F. and Maud Mary (twins), and Mary Ann. Mr. Mul-
lins owns 220 acres, valued at $11,000. His farm comprises the S. -J

818 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

of S.E. ^ Sec. 12, ninety acres on the N. W. ^ Sec. 18, in this township,
and fifty acres on tlie S.W. J Sec. 7, T. 38, R. 3. He is a republican.
Charles Guilds, farmer and stock raiser, Lee, was born in Sharon,
Vermont, January 28, 1830, and was the eldest child of Harvey and
Clarissa (Little) Childs. His father was a noted millwright and bridge-
builder. In 1838 he moved to Illinois, and settled in Mendota, La
Salle county. Both parents are yet living in that place, well advanced
in years, and enjoying a comfortable fortune. The origin of the Childs
famil}' in the United States was the settlement of Ephraim Childs at
Watertown, in the Massachusetts colony, 1630. The ancestor of the
larger number of this name was Benjamin Childs, presumably a nephew
of Ephraim, who, it is thought, crossed the ocean from England at the
same time. He settled at Roxbury, where he lived a busy and useful
life. The subject of this sketch assisted his father in the opening of
several prairie farms in his younger days, when the country was in a
comparatively wild state. After having served out his minority on a
farm, having a strong inclination to be a worker in wood, in his
twenty-second year he took up the use of tools without ever serving
an apprenticeship. He w^as handy with these by nature, so when he
engaged in carpentering it was without inconvenience, and he followed
the business successfully fourteen years as architect, builder and con-
tractor. In 1851 he went to Lamoille, and though he was not there
all the time, yet it was the place he called home, and it was there that
he began his career as a craftsman. On September 28, 1858, he was
married to Miss Eliza A. Smith, daughter of Alonzo and Rebecca
(Sheldon) Smith. She was born March 26, 1834. They have reared
four children, as follows : Viola Alvaretta, Frank Leslie, Lyman Whee-
lock, and Nellie Eliza. Mr. Childs is a republican. On July 10, 1861,
he came from Lamoille to his present location in Willow Creek, and
bought eighty acres. He made his start in life unaided, and without
outside aid he has kept adding on to his first purchase until he now
owns a very desirable homestead of 285 acres, three-fourths of a mile
south of Lee, and valued at $20,000. It is situated on the county line,
and lies in both Lee and De Kalb. When Mr. Childs came, twenty
years ago, not a shrub grew in sight of his place, and not a panel of
fence obstructed travel between here and Rochelle. Now he is in the
midst of beautiful improvements that have no limit on any hand. The
iron horse that careers past the door of his pleasant and tasteful home
sets him down in Chicago in little more than two hours. All the
advantages of a brisk and flourishing town are at command at the end
of a few moments' pleasurable ride in fine carriages and behind spirited
animals, such as Mr. Childs keeps and drives. Should we wonder if
social joy abounds in a home where stately rows of willows line the

ADDITIONAL MATTEE. 819

tidy and fertile fields, and trim and lofty maples spread their branches
in the yards and aronnd the comfortable farm buildings?

William H. Emmett, book-keeper, Lee, was born near Niagara
Falls, Canada, in 1849, and lived there with his parents, James and
Elizabeth (Dalson) Emmett, till he was seventeen years old, farming
at home summers, and attending the common schools winters. He
then pursued a three years' course of study at St. Catherine's, and at
twenty commenced teaching, following this two years. In 1871 he
celebrated his marriage with Miss Susannah Castleman, and in the
autumn of that year he came to Willow Creek and engaged in teach-
ing, keeping three terms in this township and one in Alto. In the
spring of 1873 he moved to Lee, and was employed by J. Cheasbro &
Co., and after a few months took charge of their books as book-keeper.
He continued in the ofiice of McLanc, West & Co. after they bought
out Cheasbro & Co., and until December 1874. In the winter follow-
ing he taught the first school in the village of Lee, and in April
accepted the position of book-keeper in the grain office of Christopher
& Jorgens, and has filled it to the present time. He has the agency,
also, for eight of the leading insurance companies now doing business.
Two years he was village trustee, and at the annual meeting in 1881
he was elected justice of the peace for this township. He is afiiliated
politically with the republican party, and both himself and Mrs.
Emmett have their membership in the Baptist church. They have
three children : Burton Ellis, Clara, and Arthur D. Mr. Emmett has
been active in promoting the Sunday-school interests and temperance
work of Lee, and has been superintendent of the Union Sabbath-school
two and a half years. We acknowledge with pleasure his valuable
assistance in furnishing material facts for the history of the village.

ADDITIONAL MATTER.

The matter that follows, much of it of a very important character,
was received too late for insertion in the portion of the book originally
designed for it. Some of the sketches were held for revision by friends
until the sheets containing the matter most appropriate for them had
gone to press.

John W. Wodsworth, agricultural merchant, Dixon, was born in
Frederick county, Maryland, November 1, 1844. He is a son of
Christopher and Matilda (Feaster) Wodsworth, pioneer settlers of this
section, who endured the many hardships and inconveniences alone
known to pioneer life. John W., the subject of this sketch, came
to Illinois with his parents in 1847, when three years old, and re-

820 HISTOEY OF LEE COUJSTTY.

mained with his parents on the home farm, located in Ogle county,
until 1866, when he secured and creditably filled the position of freight
clerk and telegraph operator at the Illinois Central depot at Dixon for
five years. He then went to Amboy,in Lee county, and acted as super-
intendent's private secretary in railroad office at that place, which posi-
tion he filled for a year and a half; thence removing to Bloomington,
Illinois, filling the important position of station agent in that city for
six years. During his association with railroad matters he gained the
esteem and confidence of his employers, and his efficiency in the w^ork
made his resignation in 1873 a matter of regret. By economy during
this period he saved from his earnings a sufficient amount to purchase
120 acres of fine farming land in Harmon township, to which he soon
added 40 acres more, onto which he moved after severing his relation
with the raih'oads. In the two years following he was very successful,
and his income enabled him to purchase 120 acres more, giving him 280
acres of well-improved land. From this land in 1880 and 1881 he sold
as follows: corn, 9,000 bushels; oats, 2,500 bushels; car-load of fat
hogs, besides other stock, the whole aggregating over $4,525. He has
now rented his farm, cash rent, and moved to Dixon to reside, having
purchased the beautiful residence in North Dixon known as the Manny
property, and is associated with Maj. Downing in the agricultural im-
plement business. In 1868, while residing in Dixon, he was united in
marriage to Miss Josephine Goble, daughter of James Goble, Esq., an
old citizen of Dixon, and for many years sheriff" of Lee count}'. The
issue of this union was six children, four boys and two girls. Mr.
Wodsworth has five brothers and five sisters, all living. His mother
is also living, but his father passed away in 1875.

James Santee, farmer, Dixon, was born in Luzerne county, Penn-
sylvania, on April 9, 1803, son of James M. and Rachel (McNeal) San-
tee, of Pennsylvania. He was married February' 21, 1837, to Miss
Margaret Clinetop, daughter of Christopher and Margaret (Yarner)
Clinetop, of Pennsylvania. In the month of April, 1837, they left
their native state, and reached Illinois in June following, and settled
in Lee county during the summer. They were among the first settlers
of Lee county, and are associated with its early history in this work.
The issue of their marriage was four children, two of whom are living:
James M., who resides on the home farm, and Lyidia, who lives with
her aged mother on the same place. James Santee, the subject of this
sketch, was an enterprising citizen and good farmer, and his death, on
December 16, 1871, was generally lamented. His family that survive
him are highly esteemed and respected.

David R. Bowles, merchant, Dixon, was born in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, in 1831, and was the son of Robert and Jane (Ross)

ADDITIONAL MATTER. 821

Bowles. His parents removed from Hagerstown, Maryland, to
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and resided there until their
death. Mr. Bowles acquired his early education at an old log school,
house in the vicinity of his home, and when twenty years old entered
the office of a large ironworks in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, as
a clerk. He remained there for nearly four years, and then removed
to Cambria county, Pennsylvania, where he occupied a similar position.
In 1860 he removed to Rejmoldstown, Lee county, Illinois, where he
purchased a farm upon which he remained until 1875, when he rented
his farm and removed into Dixon, and soon after engaged in the
grocery business, which he still carries on. Mr. Bowles was married
in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1855, to Miss Rebecca
D. Scott, daughter of Thomas Scott, Esq., and a sister of the Hon.
Thomas A. Scott, lately deceased, who wns assistant secretary of war
during the administration of Abraham Lincoln, and widely known in
later years as the president of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad Com-
paii}^, and as one of the most energetic and capable railroad men in the
United States. Mr. Bowles has six children : Thomas S., George IST.,
Harriet, David R., Minnie J. and DeCharms B., all of whom reside
with their parents. In political sentiment Mr. Bowles is a republican,
but votes and uses his influence for what he deems the best interests
of the country, independent of party ties.

B. B. HiGGiNS, merchant and stock raiser, Dixon, was born at
Perry, Wyoming county, 'Now York, in February 1829. His parents
were Selden and Polly (Taylor) Higgins. His father was a furniture
manufacturer, and died while Mr. Higgins was quite young. He
received his education at Perry and at the Homer Acadeoi}', located at
Homer, Cortland count}'^, New York. When he was seventeen years
of age he started into the drug business at Perry and carried on that
branch of business for some five or six years. He removed to Dixon
in the spring of 1858 and opened a drug store, which he still conducts.
He also owns a stock farm in the vicinity of Dixon and has achieved
great reputation as a successful breeder of blooded stock. An account
of this farm appears elsewhere. Mr. Higgins was married in Perry,
New York, to Miss N. A. Huntington, of Shaftsbury, Yermont, in
1856, who died at Dixon in 1865. He has but one surviving child,
Arthur S. Higgins, who was born at Dixon, August 2, 1863. Mr.
Higgins is a republican in politics and an elder in a Presbyterian
church.

John A. Weenick, farmer, Dixon, was born in Saxony, June 14,
1789, and is now in his ninety-third year. Notwithstanding his
advanced age he is active and in the enjo3anent of all his mental
faculties. In his youth he served under the great Napoleon, and was

822 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

present at the battles of Berlin, Reisenbacli, and Katzbaeh, and was a
participant in the disastrous Russian campaign. He was also present
at the battle of Leipsic, during which the Saxon troops deserted the
waning fortunes of Bonaparte and went over to the enemy. From that
time until the final overthrow of Napoleon at Waterloo Mr. Wernick
fought against bis former commander, and carries with him two certifi-
cates of honorable service in the shape of a saber-cut upon his head
and a terrible scar upon his wrist caused by the thrust of a lance. Mr.
Wernick migrated to America in 1848, settling first in Ogle county;
but in 1851 retnoved to Lee county and purchased the farm now occu-
pied by him. Plis son, Ernest Wernick, was born in Haringen,
Prussia, in 1832, and was brought up in his native country. He came
to America in 1848 with his father. He has been engaged in farming
ever since and is now the owner of some 450 acres of fine land in Dixon
township. In September, 1862, he enlisted in 75th 111. Inf. and served
in that regiment for three years with great credit to himself. He was
married at Dixon in 1855, to Miss Mary Page, who died in 1862, and
in 1865 he was again married, to Miss Catherine Pupert. He has eight
children living: Henry, Annie, Mary, George, Minnie, Wesley,
Oscar, and Carrie. Mr. Wernick is an earnest republican and a mem-
ber of the Evangelical Lutheran church.

Elias B. Stiles, capitalist, Dixon, was born in Huntingdon,
Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, on March 9, 1820, and was the son of
Lewis and Sarah (Dodson) Stiles. He was brought up and educated in
his native county, but when twenty years of age came to Dixon, where
he became a clerk, which occupation he followed for two years, after
which he formed a copartnership with Otis A. Eddy, under the firm
name of Eddy & Stiles, which continued until 1846, when Mr. Stiles
moved to St. Louis. In 1848 he returned to Dixon and engaged
largely in the land agency and real estate business. He opened a private
bank in 1853, and enjoyed a large and prosperous business until 1864,
when, owing to unfortunate speculations, he was obliged to suspend.
Since 1864 he has been largely engaged in farming and agricultural
pursuits, and is also one of the largest and most daring operators on the
Chicago board of trade, having experienced many favorable and unfa-
vorable vicissitudes, but meeting good or evil fortune with equal nerve
and fortitude. He has long been a prominent member of the democratic
party in his district, and was for ten years county treasurer. In 1862
he was the democratic candidate for congress in his district against
Hon. E. B. Washburne, and made a sharp and close contest for the
position. Mr. Stiles was married at Dixon on August 8, 1847, to Miss
Sybil Van Arnam, and they have three sons : Charles, born September
18, 1848 ; Alexander, born July 18, 1854 ; and Eugene B., born No-

ADDITIONAL MATTER, 823

vember 8, 1861. On the morning of August 26, 1881 (and after the
foregoing sketch was written), the sad and sudden announcement of
the death of Mr. Stiles, in Chicago, from paralysis of the heart, came
to the citizens of Dixon, taking them by surprise, as very few knew of
his illness. lie had experienced one severe stroke of paralysis
some three years since, and one comparatively slight attack since, but
had gone from Dixon to Chicago but a few days before his death in his
usual good health and spirits, and no one anticipated such a sudden
termination of his active and energetic career. His remains were
brought to Dixon, and the funeral services took place at the Methodist
Episcopal church on Sunday-, August 28, a large concourse of his fellow-
citizens attending and showing by their presence the esteem and respect
in which he was universally held.

RiciiAED B. LovELAND, dcccased, Dixon, was born in Bainbridge,
New York, May 1, 1819, and was the son of Otis and Mehitabel
(Parker) Loveland. He was reared and educated at Bainbridge, and
at an early age entered the employ of Smith Gilbraith, who afterward
moved to Dixon and became one of the leading business men of that
section. When Mr. Loveland was twentj^-two years of age Mr. Gil-
braith sent for him to come to Dixon, which he immediately did,
arriving at his destination almost penniless. His first employment
consisted in overseeing the workmen employed in removing obstruc-
tions from Rock river with a view to making it navigable. In 1842,
in company with Elijah Dixon, a son of Father Dixon, he procured,
through the influence of Mr. Gilbraith, the contract for carrying the
mails between Milwaukee and Janesville, Wisconsin, Mr. Dixon
dying a year later, his interest was purchased by Mr. Loveland, who
continued to hold the contract for some years longer, making consid-
erable money ; but when the passenger coaches of Frink & Walker
were put on the route he returned to Dixon and engaged in the general
mercantile business, which he continued up to his death, which occurred
in August 1851. He was married in May 1843, to Miss Susan Clute,
of Dixon, and left three children surviving: Willett O., born in 1844,
and now a merchant at Byron, Illinois; George, born in 1847, and now
engaged in business at Mount Carroll, Illinois; Kittie, born in 1850,
and married in October 1871, to Dr. H. E. Paine, of Dixon. Mrs.
Loveland was married a second time in October 1854, to Maj. James
A. Watson, of Dixon, who served for three years in the 75th 111. Yols.,
and since the close of the war has been activel}^ engaged in railroad
contracting and bridge building. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have three
children: Fred M., born in 1854, and Samuel, born in 1858, both of
whom are in the employ of prominent wholesale houses in Chicago,
and Nellie, born in 1864, who resides with her parents.

824 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

James M. Santee, fanner and stock raiser, Dixon. Prominent
among the pioneers of Lee county may be mentioned James M. Santee
and his wife Margaret (Klintob) Santee. They came here from Luzerne
county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, with a team, and settled in Dixon town-
ship. Mr. Santee died December 16, 1873, after a life of usefulness and
honest toil, loved and respected by all who were favored with an acquaint-
ance with him. Mrs. Santee is still (1881) living on the old home, at
the advanced age of eight)^ years. Their son James M. was born in
Lee county, Dixon township, September 11, 18-15, and was reared and
educated on the farm, finishing his education at the Mount Morn's
(Ogle county, Illinois) and Mount Yernon (Iowa) acadamies. After
this he engaged in farming on his father's farm. On June 22, 1871,
he married Miss Susanah, daughter of John and Martha (Cooper) Black-
man, a native of England, who came with her parents to America in
1851 and to Illinois in 1859. They are the parents of three children :
Charles, Martha, and Wilber. Mr. Santee is now living on the old
home in Sec. 10, T. 22, R. 9, of which he OM-ns half, there being in
the farm 2-10 acres. Stock raising and farming are his permanent em-
ployment.

Hetlers, farmers, Dixon. Many men there are who, though quiet
and unassuming, "leave footprints on the sands of time." The deep
stream moves silently on with scarce a ripple, yet far greater are its
burdens and more lasting its wearings on rocky bank and bed. So it
is with silent men. They bear the burdens of society. They are light-
houses to the generations on the billowy ocean of time, which men see-
ing, take heed and steer their frail life-boats into calmer waters, away
from noisy dashings of surf-beaten rocks and reefs. It is well that
such men live. Such a man was Nathan Hetler, a name positively
German. Mr. , Hetler was born in Columbia count}^ Pennsylvania,
February 14, 1809. He early learned the carpenter's trade, which he
followed till coming west. He was married to Katharine Kulp, who
was born in the same county in 1806. Mr. and Mrs. Hetler, with
their three children, Anna M., now Mrs. James A. Heaton, Mary A.,
wife of Aquilla Spencer, and Hiram, moved across the country with a
two-horse wagon, bringing their all and landing about June 6, 1837.
Their lirst residence was on Sec. 35, T. 22, R. 9, W., in what is now
Nachusa township. At the end of two years a change of location found
them on Sec' 2, T. 21, R. 9, on an eighty-acre farm. This he improved,
and on this farm Mr. Hetler built the first barn erected on the prairie.
In this barn the Lutherans held services prior to the erection of their
church. In a few years this farm was sold and what is now the home-
stead was purchased. Here Mr. Hetler died. May 22, 1877, and here
Mrs. Hetler still survives. The names of both these pioneers are on the

ADDITIONAL MATTER. 825

records of the Lutheran church as among its organizers. After their
arrival in Lee county five'children were born to them : Jesse, Jeremiah,
Amanda, John, Henry C. (dead), Hiram, the third child, was born in
Columbia county, Pennsylvania, January 17, 1836. His early years
were such as were common to pioneer children, the farm and the sub-
scription school. In 1859 he made a trip to California, whence he
returned in 1860. August 11, 1862, he was united in marriage to
!Nancy, daughter of Seth and Elizabeth (Smith) Crippen, both natives
of New York, and who moved in 1856 to Dixon, where they resided
mau}^ years, but subsequently made their home in Michigan. Mrs.
Hetler was born near Rochester, New York, May 17, 18i3. August
22, 1862, Mr. Hetler enlisted in his country's service in Co. F, 1st 111.
Light Art. He was actively engaged at Yicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi,
Missionary Ridge, in the series of battles and skirmishes from Chatta-
nooga to Atlanta, and thence with Thomas to Nashville. When mus-
tered out he was transferred to Co. A, with which he was iinally dis-
charged July 12, 1865. Mr. Hetler then returned to the quiet pursuits
of the farm. He has now a farm of 240 acres, well improved. He
has been much engaged in the affairs of his vicinity, having been school
director continually since the war with the exception of three years,
also assistant supervisor since 1878 and highway commissioner since.
1873. In the family are three children : Ida G., Lulu M. and Minnie E.
John Hetler, the seventh child of Nathan and Katharine Hetler, has
charge of the homestead. The farm, buildings, and all, speak order and
system, doing honor to the owner.

Jeremiah Hetlek, farmer and stock raiser, Dixon, son of Nathan
and Katharine (Kulp) Hetler, was born in Lee county, Illinois, Oc-
tober 4, 1842, and, like his father, was reared a farmer, and strictly
trained in the ways of industry and economy, receiving such an educa-
tion as could be obtained in the pioneer schools of this county's early
history. He remained at home with his father till the farm was
cleared of debt, at which time he was about twenty-six years of age.
December 25, 1867, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of William
and Selinda (Morehead) McCleary. She was born in Lawrence
count}', Pennsylvania, March 15, 1843, and came to Lee county in
1864. They have three children : Grace M., Katie M. and Nettie S.
In 1877 Mr. Hetler moved on his farm in Sec. 10, T. 22, R. 9, and
engaged in farming and stock raising.

Thomas J. Buckaloo, farmer and stock raiser, Dixon, was born in
Dixon, March 17, 1842. His early youth was spent in farming and
attending school, the latter to a very limited extent, as his father died
leaving him to care for liimself at the age of twelve years. The next
five years of his life was spent in working out by the month, after

826 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

which he engaged in farming for liimself. January 23, 1867, he mar-
ried Miss Maggie A., daughter of Mr. John and Margaret (Mong)
Craddock, who was born in Maryland, May 11, 1813, and came to Lee
county when a child nine j'ears old. They are the parents of live
children : Clinton C, Mabel E., Grace, Elizabeth L. and Allen T.
Mr. Buckaloo is now the owner of the old homestead, where he now
lives engaged in farming and stock raising. His father, Joseph Bucka-
loo, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1811;
was united in marriage, in 1835, with Miss Eliza Kerr, \vho was born
January 21, 1815, in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. In 1839
they came to Dixon, where, after renting around two years, they, in
ISll, bought a claim in Sec. 15 and 16, T. 22, R. 9, permanently set-
tled, and lived till the death of Mr. Buckaloo in 1852. He is buried
in the Dixon cemeter3\ Mrs. Buckaloo is still living, and resides at
her pleasant home in the city of Dixon. Of their six children three
are living: Thomas J., Amanda, and George W. ; the latter in 1881
removed to Wisconsin.

Stephen Fuller, flirmer, Dixon, is a son of Joshua and Sybel
(Chappen) Fuller, and was born March IT, 1797. His business
through life has been farming. He came from Luzerne county, Penn-
sylvania, to Dixon in an early day. At the time he first saw Dixon
there were but a few houses or cabins there besides the old fort. His
first winter was spent near Dixon, but in the spring he moved out on
his claim in Sec. 37, T. 22, R. 9, and bought the same (320 acres)
when it came into market, and has ever since made this place his
home, preferring a home in the beautiful State of Illinois to one in
the old rocky state of his nativity. He left Pennsylvania with a team
and wagon and drove through to Dixon, The country was then so
sparsely settled that from twenty to thirty miles could be traveled and
without seeing a house. He was married December 12, 1822, to Miss
Anna H. Pratt. She died in 1851, leaving him with three children
living: Champion, Caroline, wife of James Poorman, now living at
Lyons, Iowa, and Abraham, who was born in Lee county, February
9, 1837, and is probably the oldest native born citizen now living in
the county.

William Depuy, farmer and lime dealer, Dixon, is a son of Har-
mon and Catiiai'ine Depuy; was born in Tioga county, New York,
October 16, 1833, and in 1838 came with his parents in a wagon to
Lee county. For six weeks after their arrival in Dixon the}' lived
tented in their wagon, after which they moved into a house on rented
ground. Mr. Dcpuj' soon after bought a claim, but continued to rent
land about five years before moving on his new home. This delay was
caused by his loss of money ($1,500) lent to a man in the mercantile

ADDITIOISrAL MATTER, 827

trade in Dixon. After moving on his farm about two miles northeast
of Dixon he remained there till the time of his death, which occurred
September 15, 1856, aged sixty years. Mrs. Depuy died August 20,
1869, aged sixty-two years. They are buried, and are now resting
side by side in the beautiful cemetery in Dixon. January 25, 1870,
William, the subject of this sketch, was married to Miss Mary J. Mc-
Evitt, a native of Ireland but of Scotch parents. They are the parents
of six children, as follows : Oscar, Lillian, William H., Edner, Jacob C.
and Frances. About 1851 Mr. Depuy, with his brother, began burn-
ing lime near their home a short distance up the river from Dixon, but
some years later they purchased a large and valuable body of limestone
adi'oining the city of Dixon, where Mr. Depuy is now constantly burn-
ing large quantities for both home and outside demand.

Hon. Joseph Crawford, surveyor and banker, Dixon, was born in
Columbia county, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1811, and is the son of John
and Catharine (Cassedy) Crawford. In 1822 he removed with his par-
ents to Huntington, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and at the age of
twenty he engaged in school teaching, in which profession he continued
for four 3'ears. On April 4, 1835, he started for Illinois. Passing
Chicago and Dixon's Ferry, he stopped at Galena, where he remained
but a short time, returning to Dixon's Ferry, and located on a farm
south of Grand Detour, in May of the same spring. He also engaged
in business as surveyor, which he followed extensively until recent
years, and made the original survey of most of the villages on Rock
river from Rockford to Rock Island. In 1836 he was appointed deputy
county surveyor for northwest Illinois, and was elected county surveyor
of Ogle county, which then included Whitsides and Lee, and was elected
surveyor of Lee county at the time of its organization in 1840, in which
office he served for eighteen years. He served in 1841 as member of
the first board of county commissioners for the county of Lee, and was
elected to represent Lee and Whitesides in the Illinois state legislature
in 1849, and reelected to the same in 1853, In 1852 he settled in
Dixon, where he still resides. He has dealt, extensively in farming
lands, and owns about twelve hundred acres of fine farming land in
Lee county ; one farm of 1,000 acres in one body three miles east of
the city of Dixon, and one four miles southwest of the city, embracing
200 acres. Both farms are devoted to grain and stock-growing. He
was one of the chartered members of Lee county national bank, which
was organized in 1865, since which time he has sustained the relation
of president. He was elected mayor of the city of Dixon in 1873, and
reelected the two following terms. On September 16, 1852, Mr.
Crawford was united in marriage to Mrs. Huld (Bowman) Culver.
Resulting from this union is a son, Joseph Willber Crawford, born
49

828 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

August 20, 1859, and still making his father's house his home. Mr.
Crawford had two brothers and three sisters. His brother, Dr. John
S. Crawford, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was killed by a train of
cars while erossino- the track in his buggy. His brother, Samuel
Crawford, resides at Sterling, this state; liis two surviving sisters are
Sarah and Catharine ; the former, Mrs. L. W. Hale, resides in Lee
county, and the latter married Mr. John Litle, of Pennsylvania. They
now reside in Hardin county, Iowa. His parents were born in Lan-
caster, Pennsylvania, and his forefathers were of Scotch blood. Mrs.
Joseph Crawford was the daughter of John and Mary (Bretten) Bow-
man ; the father was born on the banks of the Delaware river in Penn-
sylvania, and the mother on Staten Island. Her grandfather, Christo-
pher Bowman, was of Germany.

Nathan A. Cortrigiit, farmer, Dixon, was born in Luzerne
county, Pennsylvania, on September 27, 1852, and is the son of Isaac
and Mollie (Pollock) Cortright. His parents were natives of Penn-
sylvania, and resided in that state until 1862, when they removed to
Illinois, and located in Dixon township. His father died in the spring
of 1880, but his mother is still living. Mr. Cortright received the
principal part of his education after his removal to Illinois, and after
leaving school engaged in farming, in which occupation he still con-
tinues. He was married in 1873 to Miss Katie Burket, daughter of
John M. Burket, deceased, an old resident of the township. They have
three children : John W., aged six, Charles N., aged four, and Shelby M.,
aged two years. Politically Mr. Cortright is a republican, and his
wife is a member of the Lutheran church.

William P. Coetright, an elder brother of Nathan, was born
in Pennsylvania in 1835, and when a young man was engaged in mer-
cantile business, but at the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in
Co. A., 28th Penn. Yols. From exposure in the service he became dis-
abled, and being discharged, he returned home, and was employed in
the otiUce of a mining and railroad engineer company, at Hazletoii,
Pennsylvania. He remained with them several years, though in ex-
tremely bad health, the result of his army career, and in the spring of
1868 his body from the waist down was completely paralyzed. He
was then brought to the home of his parents at Dixon, and remained
in a perfectly helpless condition until July 4, 1880, when death re-
leased him from his suffering, which he had borne with heroic fortitude
and resignation for over twelve years.

Prof. Jesse B. Dille, principal of the Northern Illinois Normal
School and Dixon business college, was born in Huntington county, Indi-
ana, on December 10, 1856, and is the son of Ichabod and Rebecca (Ha-
vens) Dille. His father is a farmer, and still resides in Huntington county.

ADDITIONAL MATTER. 829

Prof. Dille received his primary education in the schools of his native
county, and then entered the normal school at Yalparaiso, Indiana, from
which he graduated in 1878, and then took charge of the school at Lagro,
Indiana, remaining there a year. He then returned to Valparaiso and
became a teacher in the normal school, where he remained until hi&
removal to Dixon in 1881, when he, in connection with Mr. John C.
Flint, established the school of which he is the head. Prof. Dille
was married in 1879, to Miss Florence Flint, a resident of Yalparaiso.
He is a republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. The flonrishino: institution which is under the manaijement
of Prof. Dille is yet in its infancy, its first term having but just been
completed, but owing to the pluck and energy of its founder its success
was assured from the beginning, and it already vies in the number of
its pupils and in the variety and extent of its branches of study with
similar schools of years standing and of established reputation. Prof.
Dille has ten assistant instructors, and the course of study includes
-evei^thing from the common branches to music and fine art. Phonog-
raphy and type-writing are also taught by a competent and skilled
instructor, Prof. J. D. Derr. So large has the attendance already be-
come, and such popularity has the school attained, that it has become
a necessity to erect a new college building, and a campus ground of
twelve acres has been purchased on which a large college building will
be erected in the spring. The estimation in which the school is held
by the citizens of Lee county is shown in the fact that they have donated
to the institution the sum of $27,000, which will, without doubt,, be
increased to $40,000.

" Whereas, Robert Hunt, son of Robert and Abigail Hunt, of
Evesham Township, in Burlington County, in the Province of West
New Jersey, Deceased, and Abigail Pancoast, Daughter of Samuel Pan-
coast, of Salisbury, in the County of Bucks and Province of Pennsyl-
vania, Deceased, and Abigail his wife, now Abigail Duer, have declared:
their Intentions of Marriage with each other before Several Monthly
Meetings of the people called Quakers, at the Falls, in the County of
Bucks and Province aforesaid, according to the good Order Used amongst
them, and having Consent of Parents and Relations concerned, their said
Proposals of Marriage was allowed of by the said Meeting. Now, these
are to certify all whom it may concern, that for the full accomplishing^
their said Intentions, this Nineteenth Day of theTwelvth Month, in the
Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Four, they
the said Robert Hunt and Abigail Pancoast, appeared in a Publick
Meeting of the said people at Makefield, in the County and Province
aforesaid, and the said Robert Hunt taking the said Abigail Pancoast
by the Hand, did in a Solemn manner openly declare he took her/

«30

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

the said Abigail Paneoast to be his Wife, promising thro' the Lord's
assistance to be unto her a loving and faithfull Husband nntill Death
should seperate them ; and then and there in the said Assembly, the
said Abigail Paneoast did in like manner declare that she took the
said Robert Hunt to be her Husband, promising thro' the Lord's
assistance to be unto him a loving and faithfull Wifeuntill Death
should seperate them. And moreover, they the said Robert Hunt
and Abigail Paneoast (she according to the custom of Marriage assnme-
ing the Name of her Husband), as a further Confirmation thereof,
did then and there to these presents set their Hands. And we whose
Names are hereunder also Subscribed, being present at the Solemni-
zation of the said Marriage and Subscription has as Witnesses there-
unto set our Hands the Day and Year above Written.

Robert Hunt,

John Jenlay,
Samuel Yardley,
Jos. English, jr.,
Benjamin Aronson,
David Barton,
Benjamin Taylor, jr.,
Agness Jenlay,
Wm. Bidgood, jr.,
John Simpson,
Jolm Taylor,
Hannah Tayler, sr.,
William Taylor,
Hannah Taylor,
Timothy Taylor,

Samuel Eastbern,
Saml. Linton
Bernard Taylor,
James Jolly,
Sarah Dean,
Mercy Beanmont,
Rebeccah Beaumont,
Pehbe Jolly,
Hannah Bates,
Phebe Longshore,
Abigail Evans,
Deborah Duer,
Samuel Paneoast,

Abigail Hunt.
Abigail Duer,
Joseph Duer,
Hannah Palmer,
Benjamin Taylor,
Hannah Taylor,
Benj. Linton, jr.,
Jane Linton, jr.,
Hannah Linton,
Margaret Pearson,
Joshua Linton,
Wm. Pearson,
Jno. Hunt,
Esther Hunt."

Rachel Duer,
The marriage of Robert Hunt and Abigail Paneoast took place on
December 19, 176i, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, as shown by the
foregoing copy of the marriage certificate, and resulted in the birth of
the following children : Joshua, William, Samuel, John, Joseph, Seth,
Mary, and Abigail. Joshua died at the age of sixty-two, and his only
surviving son, Samuel, is and has been a prominent physician, but has
now retired from practice and resides at Richmond, Indiana. The de-
scendants of William and Samuel both reside in the State of Ohio, the
former in Columbiana county, consisting of Elizabeth Coy, Martha
Mall, and John Hunt; the latter resides in the southern portion of
the state. John died at the age of twenty, and Joseph, who served in
the army during the war of 1812, died at the age of thirty-one, soon
after leaving the service in 1815. Abigail was the wife of Judge Henry,
of Wooster, Ohio, and was the grandmother of the Henry family, of

ADDITIONAL MATTER. 831

Waterloo, Iowa, and of the Cummins family, of the same town, and of
Des Moines, Iowa. The Painter family, living near Salem, Ohio, are
descended from Mary. Seth Hunt, the youngest son of Robert and
Abigail Hunt, was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, whither lii&
parents had removed on February 2, 1788. When he was four years of
age his parents removed to Winchester, Yirginia, and some time after
went to Brownsville, Pennsylvania. In 1804: they again changed their
habitation, this time going to Ohio, where his father died the following
year. Seth was left in an almost unbroken wilderness, surrounded by
wild beasts and savages, to earn a subsistence for his mother and him-
self from a tract of land which was still unpaid for, but by the time
he had attained his majority he had cleared oflf the debt and made a
comfortable home. After residing here six years he sold this place
and bought a quarter-section near Massillon, Ohio. His brother John,
who had entered 140 acres in the vicinity, died in 1813, leaving Seth
a part of his land, and he was now on the high road to prosperity, but
by indorsing for one of his brothers he lost all he had accumulated.
He then engaged in the manufacture of carding and spinning machines
for several years at Millersburg, Ohio, of which town he was one of
the founders. He also invented a machine for cardino- flax and engae^ed
in their manufacture, investing all he had, some $1,600 in the business ;
but this venture proved unfortunate, and he again lost everything and
was in debt some hundreds of dollars. He then commenced selling
dry-goods on commission, and made money. He remained in the dry-
goods business for about ten years. His mother died early in 1827,
and on September 20 of that year lie was married to Miss Rebecca
Hull, of Coshocton county, Ohio, who was descended from an old
Yirginia famil3\ Her parents removed to Ohio in 1808, and her father
dying soon after, her mother took charge of the farm, and after many
trials and hardships became wealthy, leaving at her death seven well
improved farms. After his marriage Seth Hunt read law, was admitted
to the bar, and eventually became one of the associate judges of the
circuit court of his district, which position he held for fourteen j^ears.
He died in July 1864, at the age of eighty-four, and was buried in the
Methodist cemetery at Nashville, Ohio. He left three surviving chil-
dren : Mary A., now the wife of Col. E. J. Pocock, a merchant of
Coshocton, Ohio; Robert B., a resident of Columbus, Ohio, and
Charles Cummins Hunt, of Dixon, Illinois. The latter was born
in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, on ISTovember 25, 1840. He
was reared on a farm and attended the neighboring schools. At the
age of fourteen he entered Spring Mountain College, Coshocton county,
Ohio, where he remained for two years. He then became a teacher at
Hohnesville, Holmes county, and taught for twenty-six days a month.

832 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

and from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon. He was
also a hard student at this time, remaining at the school-house during
the evening and pursuing his studies by the light of the lire, feeling
he could not afford the luxury of candles. It was at this time he first
began his medical studies, going to Millersburg, Ohio, five miles dis-
tant, each week, to recite to his preceptor. Dr. Thomas McEbright, one
of the most prominent physicians in that part of Ohio. After remain-
ing at Holmesville for two years he was appointed jDrincipal of the
high school at Jefferson, "Wayne county, Ohio, which position he occu-
pied two years. He then entered the office of Dr. McEbright, at
Millersburg, for the purpose of continuing his medical studies, and
remained there, with the exception of one term, during which he
taught at Jefferson, until the spring of 1863, when he entered the
Long Island Hospital, at Brooklyn, N'ew York. Here he attended a
course of lectures, and was then made assistant-surgeon of the 137th
Ohio Vols. He had charge of the post hospital for several months,
and was then detailed to Fort Ethan Allen, on Arlington Heights,
where he was soon after placed in charge of the right wing of the bri-
gade by the brigade surgeon. His regiment was mustered out in the
fall of 1864, and he immediately entered Bellevue Hospital Medical
College, where he remained during the ensuing term, and received the
degree of M.D. in March 186.5. Dr. Hunt then settled at Wooster,
Ohio, and engaged in the practice of his profession, and after remain-
ing there for two years he went to Philadelphia and New York, and
received private instructions in the colleges and hospitals of those
cities. On November 1, 1867, he came to Dixon and engaged in prac-
tice, which he has continued since, with the exception of three months
in the winter of 1873-4, during which he was receiving special instruc-
tion in the hospitals of New York city. Dr. Hunt was first married
on March 1, 1871, to Miss H. Jennie "Pinckney, of Dixon. She died
on December 17 of the same year, leaving an infant son, who died
some months later. He was again married on September 16, 1874, to
Miss Lucy I. Webster, of Polo, Ogle county. They have two children :
Eelura P., born July 18, 1875, and Nannie T., born October 9, 1876.
Dr. Hunt has been a typical successful practitioner. Coming to Dixon
young and unknown, he has built up an extensive and prosperous
practice, and has made a host of friends. At the urgent solicitation of
prominent and influential friends in New York city he has taken the
question of his removal to that metropolis into consideration, expect-
ing to find there a wider field for the exercise of his talents ; and in
the event of his removal, those who know him best are the most posi-
tive in the belief that a successful and honorable career will reward his
efforts.

ADDITIONAL MATTER. 833

Daniel W. McKennet, liveryman, Dixon, is a native of Canada,
where he was born May 17, 1830, and is the son of Jacob and Mary
(McCall) McKenney. His parents removed to Illinois and located
near Dixon in 1848, where his father engaged in farming, which occu-
pation he still follows. Daniel remained on the farm until 1852, when
he went to California. He returned in the fall of 1853 and again
engaged in farming nntil 1862, when he removed into Dixon and
engaged in the livery business and has carried it on up to the present
time. In 1878 he took in as a partner Mr. Yinal Hackett, under the
firm name of D. W. McKenney & Co. Two of the nncles of Mr.
McKenney were among the earliest settlers of Dixon, where one of
them, Fred. C. McKenney, still resides. Mr. McKenney was married
about twenty -five years ago to Miss G. A. La Porte, a resident of Wyo-
ming township, Lee county, Illinois. Both Mr. McKenney and his
pai'tner, Mr, Hackett, are stalwart republicans.

Palmer Atkins, merchant, Dixon, was born in Rome, Oneida
county, JSTew York, August 28, 184L His parents were Seth and Jane
(Palmer) Atkins, who were among the earliest settlers of Oneida
county. His father is still living at Monmouth, Illinois, but his
mother died in April 1857. Mr. Atkins was chiefly educated in his
native town, and when about fifteen years old his parents removed to
Chicago, but in 1857 Mr. Atkins went to Mendota, Illinois, where he
began to learn the printing trade. In December, 1858, he came to
Dixon and entered the office of the " Republican and Telegraph," where
he remained until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the
13th reg. 111. Inf. May 24, 1861. He served for over three years, dur-
ing most of the time being detailed as stafl printer at the headquarters
of Gens. Grant, Thomas and Curtis, his position giving him an excel-
lent opportunity to become acquainted with the peculiarities and char-
acteristics of these famous leaders. When mustered out of service he
returned to Dixon and resumed his connection with the " Telegraph,"
where he continued until August 1876, when he engaged in the
grocery business. He was elected collector of taxes in 1870, and is
now serving his third term as town clerk. Mr. Atkins was married
April 8, 1865, to Miss Cynthia Tillman, and they have one child living,
Louis B. Atkins, fourteen years of age. In his political views Mr.
Atkins is an out-and-out republican of the straightest sect.

John Hess, real estate dealer, Dixon, is the son of Jacob and Salome
(Fenstermaker) Hess, and was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania,
April 3, 1831. His father was a farmer, and both parents died in
Pennsylvania. Mr. Hess was reared and educated in Columbia county,
Pennsylvania, whither his parents removed during his infancy, and when
seventeen years of age became a clerk. In 1852 he went to California

834 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

via Cape Horn, and remained there about a year and a half, most of
the time in the raining districts. After returning to the east he again
engaged as a clerk, but about a year later removed to a farm which he
had purchased. He sold his farm in 1858 and about a year later came
to Lee county, where he decided to locate, and in 1860 brought out
his family, and the next four years were about equally divided between
farming and clerking. He then engaged in the real estate business,
which he has since carried on. For the last three years he has done
an extensive business selling railroad and speculators' lands west of the
Mississippi, having taken out several excursions, which resulted in the
sale of large tracts of land. Mr. Hess was married in 1855, to Miss
Eliza M. Hogenbaugh, whose family are residents of Columbia county,
Pennsylvania. They have three children living: Leander, born May
17, 1856, Albert, born March 8, 1861, and Koyce, born April 17, 1873.
They have also lost four children, all of whom died before reaching five
years of age except Adele M., who was born October 13, 1857, and
died June 27, 1879. In his political sentiments Mr. Hess is a repub-
lican.

George M. Berkley, farmer, Dixon, was born in Clinton county,
Ohio, May 15, 1831, and was the son of Gideon and Mary (Bowring)
Berkley. His father followed the trade of a millwright, and moved
into Bureau county, Illinois, in 1836, and died there a year after. His
mother died in Lee county in May 1881. His father was a lineal de
scendant of Sir. William Berkley, one of the governors of the province
of Yirginia, and both parents were natives of that state, but after their
marriage removed to Oliio. The family removed to Lee county in
1814 and located in Sublette township, where Mr. Berkley was reared
and educated. He also attended the normal school at Bloomington
for a year. After growing to manhood he engaged in farming, but
rushed to arms at the outbreak of the civil war, enlisting in April 1861,
in Co. C, 13th 111. Yols., and after serving taithfully for more than
three years was mustered out of service in June 1861. He then re-
turned home and resumed his agricultural pursuits, but in 1866 was
offered the position of deput}^ sheriff", which he accepted and took up
his residence in Dixon, In 1868 he was elected sheriff and reelected
in 1870, 1872 and 1871, holding the office for eight years. He then
purchased the farm in Dixon township on which he now resides. He
was lirst married July 4, 1860, to Miss Minnie M. Douglass, a daugh-
ter of John L. Douglass, of Sublette, who was born in Genesee county,
ITew York, in 1837. She died April 10, 1865, leaving one child, Min-
nie D., who was born November 4, 1864. He was again married Sep-
tember 20, 1868, to Miss Jane Adams, a native of Worcester, Massa-
chusetts, but then residing at Sublette. They have three children :

ADDITIONAL MATTER. 835

Daisy A., bora September 30, 1871; Imo, February 23, 1873, and
Maud, May 4, 1877. Mr. Berkley is a supporter of the republican
party, and his repeated elections to a responsible position attest the es-
teem and confidence in which he is held by his fellow-citizens.

Henky C. HiGGiNS, Dixon, joint proprietor with his brother, Thom-
as Higgins, in the Dixon Gas Works, was born in Ireland, December
18, 1848, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (Gannon) Higgins. His
parents came to the United States when he w^as five years of age, and
settled at Freehold, New Jersey, where he was reared and educated.
In 1864 he came to Illinois and engaged in farming in Whitesides
county, and remained there until about 1870 when he became interest-
ed in contracts upon the Baltimore & Ohio and Pittsburg, Ft. "Wayne
& Chicago railroads, and continued in this line of business until 1876,
when he commenced the erection of gas works in different towns,
which business he still carries on. He has made his headquarters at
Dixon since 1876, the works there being the first built by him. Mr.
Higgins is a democrat, but broad and liberal in his views, and is a young
man of much enterprise and energy.

James W. REAEDoisr, Dixon, was born in Manchester, England,
September 5, 1829, and is the son of Hobbs and Margaret (Cunning-
ham) Keardon. His father entered the British army in 1800 as a vol-
unteer, and was shortly after made an ensign. He participated in the
campaign on the Spanish peninsula which resulted in the complete de-
feat of Marshal Soult, of the French army, by the Duke of Wellington.
He was in almost every battle fought in that campaign, among others
those of Yittoria and Corunna. After the overthrow of Bonaparte he
was on duty at St. Helena for some time during the confinement of
that great chieftain. He was still in the service at the time of his
.death, which occurred in 1847 in the north of Ireland. James W.
Reardon, when a little over two years of age, was sent to live with an
uncle in Tipperary, Ireland, and remained there until twenty-one years
old, when he came to America. He soon after came to Lee county, and
becoming acquainted with Gov. Charters, he, at his suggestion, de-
cided to make his home here, and with the exception of several trips
to Europe he has since been a continuous resident. In 1863 he re-
cruited a company for the 69th 111. Yols., of which he became captain.
After serving some three months he was mustered out, their term of
service having expired. He was married in County Waterford, Ireland,
in 1860, to Miss Alicia J. Stokes, and has two children: Clifford C,
aged twenty, and Annie S., aged fourteen years.

Harriet E. Garrison, physician, Dixon, was born in Dixon town-
ship, and is the daughter of William and Amelia (Omen) Garrison.
Her father is a farmer, and resides in ISTachusa township. Dr. Garrison

836 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

M'as partly educated at the Dixon public school, and partly at Rock
River Seminary, at Mount Morris, Ogle county, Illinois. After leav-
ing school she entered the Women's Medical College, at Chicago, from
which she graduated in 1876, and at once entered upon the practice of
her profession at Dixon. She is a member of the regular school of
medicine, and has met with gratifying success in her career as a physi-
cian.

Alexander Chaetees, deceased, M-as a native of Belfast, Ireland,
where he was born July T, 1800. He was the son of Alexander and
Eleanor (Mackey) Charters. He was reared and educated in his native
city, and when sixteen years of age came to America and located in
New York city, where he had two brothers established in business as
linen importers. He entered their store, and in the course of time
was made a partner, the firm name being J. A. Cliarters & Co. In
1838 he retired from business and removed to Dixon, where he pur-
chased a section of land unsurpassed by any in the state for natural
beauty and fertility. He erected a house on a bluff of Rock river, from
which views can be obtained of the surrounding country for many
miles, and abounding in scenery of the most lovely and picturesque
description. Here he exercised an unbounded hospitalitj^, and his
genial yet dignified address, and imposing personal appearance, well
entitled him to the appellation of "Governor" Charters, by which he
was so long and so widely known. Many of the political and literary
celebrities of our own and other lands have met a warm welcome
beneath his hospitable roof, among whom may be mentioned AVilliam
Cullen Brj^ant and Margaret Fuller Ossoli. His death occurred Sep-
tember 18, 1878, and he was laid to rest among the scenes he loved so
well, amid the sincere regrets of the multitude of friends by whom he
was so loved and honored. He was married in 1827, to Miss Ellen
Boomer, of Belfast, who died in New York in 1832. His only son,
James B. Charters, is now the able and popular county judge for Lee
county.

Henet C. Beooknee, farmer, South Dixon, is a native of Hanover,
where he was born in 1827. He is the son of George H. and Mary
(Engel) Brookner. He came to America when eighteen years of age,
and located at Dixon, After attending school for some time he learned
the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked until 1849, when he
removed to St. Louis, but soon returned to Dixon, and continued
working at his trade until the spring of 1859, when he was employed
by the Illinois Central railroad to superintend the building of bridges
upon their line. He remained with this company for about ten years.

ADDITIOI^AL MATTER. 837

and then entered the employ of the Indianapolis & St. Louis railroad
in the same capacity, remaining with them some eight years. During
this time he purchased the farm lie now occupies, and some two years
ago moved upon it and engaged in farming. Mr. Brookner was mar-
ried in April, 1875, at Litchfield, Illinois, to Miss Emma K. Keithley,
a daughter of Seth M. Keithley, an old resident of Litchfield. They
have one child. May D., born February 21, 1876. Mr. Brookner is a
republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

E. H. AND D. B. Raymond, farmers. South Dixon, are the sons of
Daniel and Lucy A. (Woodruff) Raymond. Their father was for many
years a resident of Greene county. New York, where he carried on a
farm, but removed to Michigan in 1833, and followed the same occupa-
tion there until his death, which occurred in 1815. The eldest of the
brothers, E. H. Raytnond, was born in Steuben county. New York, in
1821, and removed to Michigan with his father. Upon the death of
the latter he carried on farming operations in Michigan until 1865, in
connection with his brother, but in that year he removed to Illinois
and settled in South Dixon, Lee county, where he has since resided.
He has no family. D. B. Raymond was born in Lenawee county, Mich-
igan, in 1833, where he was reared and educated, but came to Lee
county with his brother in 1865. He was married in Michigan in
the year 1860, to Miss Maria S. Clark, a native of Berkshire county,
Massachusetts, and their union has resulted in three children: Daniel
E., aged twenty, Agnus C, aged eighteen, and Florence M.,aged thir-
teen. He is a thorough-going republican, and a member of the Pres-
byterian church.

Hakvey E. Williams, farmer, was born in Onondaga county. New
York, in 1817. His parents were Abijah and Lucy (Edwards) Williams,
and his father followed farming and died in Onondaga county in 1871.
Mr, Williams was reared and educated in his native county, and when
grown to manhood commenced taking contracts upon public works in
the State of New York. In 1852 he came to Illinois, having a contract
on the Northwestern railroad, and the following year took a similar con-
tract upon the Illinois Central railroad, and remained upon this road
until its completion. He purchased his present farm in South Dixon
in 1857, and has ever since been engaged in farming. He was married
in 1843, to Miss Wealthy E. Cropsey, in Madison county, New York.
Three children were the result of this marriage, of whom two survive:
Cornelia A., who is the wife of John A. Greene, of Morrison, White-
sides county, Illinois, and Ella C.,who resides with her parents. A third
daughter, Emma, was the wife of A. C. McAllister, of Morrison, Illi-
inois, but died in April 1875, leaving one child, a daughter. Politically
Mr. Williams is a member of the democratic party.

838 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Benjamin W. Haknish, farmer, Palmyra, was born in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1830, and is the son of Michael.
G. and Elizabeth (Warfel) Harnish. His father is a farmer, and both
are still living and reside in Lancaster county. Mr. Harnish received
his education in his native county and was a farmer there for many
years. In January, 1875, he came west and settled in Carroll county,
Illinois. After residing there for three years he removed to ISTebraska,
where he remained until 1880, when he came back to Illinois and
located on a farm in Palmyra township. He was first married in 1856,
to Miss Mary B. Hess, of Pennsylvania, who died previous to his re-
moval from that state. There are four children by this marriage, all
of whom reside with their lather, the eldest being Henry, aged twenty-
three years ; Michael is sixteen, Samuel fourteen, and Elizabeth eleven
years of age. He was married a second time in 1875, to Mrs. Catharine
(Klein) Leonard. Mr. Harnish is strongly republican in his political
views.

Robert J. Drynan, farmer, Palmyra, is a native of Canada, where
he was born June 12, 1845, and is the son of William and Elizabeth J.
(McMurtry) Drynan. His fiither was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and
was a ship-carpenter by trade, though farming was his occupation dur-
ing the latter part of his life. He died in Canada in 1851, and his
widow was married in 1853, to Mr. Johnstone, a clergyman, and re-
moved the same year to Lyndon, Whitesides county, where Mr. John-
stone preaclied for some three 3''ears and where he died in 1857. Mrs.
Johnstone is still living and is a resident of Palmyra. Mr. Drynan
came with his mother and step-father at the time of their removal to
Illinois, and in 1855 settled in the town of Palmyra, where he has
ever since resided. His principal occupation has been running thresli-
ing and corn-shelling machines. He was married September 6, 1867,
to Miss Rachel A. Delp, a native of Pennsylvania, but at that time
residing in Whitesides count3^ They have seven children living:
Willie A., born May 14, 1868 ; Otis E., born September 1, 1869 ;
Emma E., born May 15, 1871; Gertie M., born January 20, 1873;
Fremont R., born January 23, 1876 ; Grace E., born December 15,
1878 ; Leone E., born January 20, 1881. Politically Mr. Drynan is a
thorough republican.

Fletcher Seavey, farmer. Palmyra, is a native of Sandwich, New
Hampshire, where he was born September 2, 1839, and is the son of
Asa and Ruth (Ricker) Seavey. His father was also born in New
Hampshire, and for many years was a farmer in that state, but in 1853
he came west and settled in Lee county, bringing his family from the
east in the spring of 1854. He was carrying on a farm in Palmyra
until 1877, when he purchased a farm in Ogle county, to which he re-

ADDITIONAL MATTER. 839

moved and wliere he still resides. Fletcher Seavey has been farming
on his own account for the past thirteen years, and has recently pur-
chased and removed to the farm of the late David A. Holly. He en-
listed in the summer of 1864, in Co. D, 140th 111. Vols., and was hon-
orably discharged after six months' service. Mr. Seavey was married
November 9, 1862, to Miss Eveline C. Eastwood, a native of Palmyra,
and they have six children: Harry C, born January 17, 1864; Fred
A., born February 19, 1866; Eda B., born December 30, 1867; Allen
E., born March 24, 1870; Clyde L., born August 10, 1874, and Ruth
M., born June 6, 1877. In his political sentiments Mr. Seavey is
strongly republican.

William W. Tilton, farmer, Palmyra, was born in New Hamp-
shire on July 15, 1817, and is the son of Jesse and Mary (Fitield) Til-
ton. His father was of English descent, but was a native of New
Hampshire, and in his youth was engaged in tanning and shoemaking,
but afterward became a farmer and died about 1845. W. W. Tilton
acquired his education in his native state, and when grown up en-
gaged in farming, but came west in 1838, arriving in Dixon July 13,
just two days prior to his twenty-first birthday. He located in Pal-
myra township, and having learned the trade of shoemaking in the
east, he engaged in that business. At the election in the fall for state
officials he acted as clerk, and his recollection is that fourteen votes
were polled. After working at his trade for about four years he turned
his attention to farming, which he has followed since. He was also
f(^ a number of years engaged in buying and selling stock, and was
connected for some time with the late E. B. Stiles, in this business. He
was married on November 3, 1843, to Mrs. Eliza (Martin) Hubbard, a
native of Sandwich, New Hampshire, who came to Lee county with
her brother, Jacob Martin (lately deceased), in 1836. They came all
the way in a buggy, the trip taking a period of five weeks. She was
married in 1833, to Oliver A. Hubbard, also a resident of New Hamp-
shire, who had come to Lee county in the spring of 1836, where she
rejoined him a few months later. Mr. Hubbard died September 16,
1840. M. D. Hubbard, still residing in Palmyra, is the only living
issue of this marriage. Two children resulted from her union to Mr.
Tilton : Francis J., born August 15, 1846, who resides with his parents ;
and Hortense L., born on January 30, 1851, and married to Horace M.
Gilbert, a resident of Palmjn-a. Mr. Tilton is a life-long democrat, and
though contending against odds in the political struggles in which he
has taken part, he has never faltered in his devotion to what he con-
siders the true principles of government.

One of the most striking features of American institutions is the
certainty with which any young man of integrity, energy and intelli-

840 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

gence can achieve wealth and influence by his own efforts, unaided by
any accidents of birth or position. Lincoln, Garfield, and many other
brilliant and able men in various walks of life, have afforded notable
examples of what can be done by untiring industry, sterling honesty and
well-directed ability to overcome all adverse circumstances, and every
county and every town all over our broad land will show instances of
a similar character, differing only in kind and degree, and one of these
is found in the career of the Hon. Abltah Powers, of Palmyra township.
He was born in Hamy^shire count}', Massachusetts, December 16, 1814,
and is the son of Joseph and Sarah (Powers) Powers. His father was
a lai'iner, and was descended from a long line of New England ancestry.
He had four children, of whom three are still living, one son, Joseph
Warren Powers, being still a resident of Massachusetts ; Abijah Powers
and a daughter, Mrs. Allen, have lived for many years in Palmyra town-
ship ; the other child, a daughter, died in infancy. In 1S3S Mr. Joseph
Powers and his son Abijah determined to leave the old Bay State and
seek for more abundant returns for their labor on the western prairies.
After the usual privations and trials of snch a journe}^ in those days they
arrived at Dixon's ferry, where they remained several months, but in
the fall of 1838 tbey located in Palmyra township and engaged in
fanning, and here Mr. Joseph Powers died, April 28, 1853. His son
has been a continuous resident of the township since his first settlement,
in 1838, and for many years has been one of the largest and most
successful farmers in the Rock river valley. He has also been exten-
sively engaged in the breeding and sale of thoroughbred cattle, with
gratitying results. He now owns about 900 acres of land, a portion of
which lies in Whitesides county. Mr. Powers has always been a
popular man and was elected justice of the peace at an early day ; was
also commissioner of public highways for a number of years ; has served
four terms as supervisor for his town; was elected a member of the
state legislature in the fall of 1876, and has been president of the Farm-
ers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Palmyra, for the past fifteen
years. In 1839 he returned to Massachusetts, , where he was married,
September 8 of that year, to Miss Amanda Sprout, a native of Wor-
cester, Massachusetts, who is still living. They have had six children,
five of whom survive : Elvira A., born November 30, 1842, was married
to Charles Eckles in 1868, and is a resident of Marshalltown, Iowa;
Helen C, born August 21, 1845, married to Anson E. Thummel in
1868, and lives in Palmyra ; Mary A., born October 30, 1848, married
to James Nickerson in 1870, and resides in Chicago; Franklin W.,
born September 13, 1851, was married to Miss Mary Miller in 1872, and
lives in Whitesides county; Austin A., born October 18, 1857, was
married to Miss Adela Tallman January 6, ISSl. He resides with his.

ADDITIONAL MATTER. 841

tather. Mr. Powers has been a republican from the formation of the
party, and is a member of the Congregational church.

Charles H. Hughes, farmer. Palmyra, was born in Columbia
county, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1846, and is the son of Ell wood and
Elizabeth (Hill) Hughes. He was brought up and educated in his
native county principally, but also attended for a time the Missionary
Institute at Selin's Grove, Pennsylvania. He removed to Lee county
in 1868 and engaged in farming, which he still carries on ; he has also
dealt considerably in cattle and horses, and his especial pride at present
is a fine bay stallion, a cousin of the celebrated queen of the turf, Maud
S, and Mr. Hughes feels certain that at some not distant day his horse,
or at least some descendant of his, will win a name not entirely
unworthy of their distinguished relative. In July 1881, in company
with O. T. Melick, he embarked in the coal and salt trade at Dixon,
under the firm name of Hughes & Melick, and is making preparations
at present to engage in the real-estate, loan and banking business at
Peterson, Kansas, in company with his brother, Ellwood C. Hughes.
He w^as married ISTovember 17, 1868, to Miss Hannah E. Williams,
daughter of Mark Williams, Esq., of Palmyra township, and they have
but one child living, Adessa, aged twelve years. In his political views
Mr. Hughes is a republican.

Having organized and drilled the Chicago Light Guards, the first
company in Chicago that acquired any reputation, his services were
sought by the authorities at Springfield at the breaking out of the war.
There was a great lack of knowledge of military matters at this time,
but what Col. Wyman possessed, combined with a mind of wonderful
activity and business experience, made his services of great value, and
caused the 13th 111. Inf. to select him as their colonel, and Gov. Yates
to commission him on April 20, 1861. The 13th was a magnificent
regiment, filled to the maximum, and composed almost wholly of young
men who knew and appreciated the issues of the struggle before them_
Wyman realized the great charge that was intrusted to him in the com-
mand of this regiment, and stated to a member of the same as he looked
over the body of 1,000 on drill, "I never felt before so much the need
of being a christian as I do now. I am responsible for the lives and wel-
fare of these men, and I do not believe that any man in his own
strength is equal to so great a responsibility." His experience as a rail-
way superintendent fitted him for the very important duty of forward-
ing supplies to an army campaigning a long way from its base of sup-
plies, which he did from Polla for the armies doing service in south-
west Missouri under the command of Gens. Lyon, Fremont and Hunter
respectively. This duty he did so well that his reputation spi'ead
through the western army, and when some months after Gen. Steele

842 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

desired to eml)ark his division on steamboats at Helena, Arkansas, to
joiti Gen. Sherman's campaign against Vicksburg, he sent for Cob Wy-
man to assist him. The general and the colonel disagreed as to the
number of steamboats required, but the latter in his positive, decided
way said he could have all the transportation, artillery and horses
loaded on his number of boats b}'^ five o'clock that da}', and he did, to
the surprise of the general and his regular army staff.

It was during the campaign referred to above that CoLWyman lost
his life. It was the campaign under Gen. Sherman against the outside
defenses of A^icksburg at Chickasaw Bayou. He here had the first op-
portunity to show his capacity for active service. It was here that be
and bis regiment were under fire for the first time. He had shown
marked abilities in the marching and care of men ; had no superior as
a drill-master, and no man had more perfect control of a regiment than
he had of his. The 13th was the old regiment placed in Gen. F. P.
Blair's brigade, composed of new recruits, to act as a safety-valve. The
13th always had the post of honor, which is the advance, wdiich gave
Col. Wyman the lead that he never relinquished, and really commanded
and maneuvered the brigade in the engagements referred to above un-
til he was killed.

In the preliminar}' skirmishing Wyman's bravery was put to the
test, but it was pure gold, like that of an old veteran. He placed the
battery, told the men how and where to shoot, and encouraged the men
by his own fearlessness and utter disregard of danger. The clear, bell-
like tones of their colonel's voice to the regiment, now under fire for
the first time, had the effect of magic upon their spirits, somewhat dis-
concerted by the shriek of rebel shells bursting in close proximity to
their position. His commands were obeyed with alacrity, and his
smiling face as he was quietly seated on old Jeri'j^'s back imparted
courage to liis men, and they would have charged upon any rebel posi-
tion if he but commanded.

The second day found Blair's brigade in position to fire upon a
confederate fort, while Morgan L. Smith charged it from another
direction. Col. Wyman walked up to the edge of the fallen timber
lying between the two positions, took out his field-glass and coolly
surveyed the enemy's position ; during all of which time the rebel
sharpshooters were popping away at him, and often shooting very near
his person, as we could see by the falling of leaves and cutting of vines.
Not until he had finished his survey did he lower his glass, and as
he walked back to his regiment he said, " The bullet is not moulded
that will kill me," and ordered the company commander nearest to
him to send six of the best shots in his company and kill a certain
sharpshooter, with a globe-sighted rifle, that had been firing at him.

ADDITIONAL MATTEK. 843

Lieut. -Col. Gorgas was ordered down to the center of the regiment to
give the order to rise and fire, and then to order that they lie down
while another regiment immediately in the rear should do the same
thing. Col. Gorgas was slow about executing the order for some reason^
and Wyman becoming impatient of the delay stepped a few paces-
down the line and in front, and gave the order himself, retiring as h&
did so, so that he should not be in front of the men when they fired.
Immediate!}^ after he passed the right of the regiment he was shot.
He was stooping down that the regiment in the rear might fire over
our heads, when he was hit under the right arm, the bullet passing-
entirely through his body and lodging in his clothing on his left side.
Sergt. Pinkham, of Co. A, was the first to reach his side and unbutton
his coat, and the writer was the next. The bullet hole through his
shirt was in front of his shoulder, and led me to believe that that was
the wounded part and not necessarily fatal, and I was on the point of
saying, "Colonel, this will make a brigadier of you; " but he looked so
pale and death-like it was not uttered, but instead, " Colonel, I do not
think this wound is dangerous, it is through your shoulder." " You
are mistaken, Harr}'," he replied. "This whole side is paralyzed
already ; it is all over." We laid him down behind a stump, to protect
him from the bullets that were now coming in thick and fast, and in a
few seconds he was in a stupor. He was taken from the field and
revived by stimulants for a few minutes, during which time he con-
versed about his family and private affairs. He uttered no word of
complaint nor gave expression to any signs of regret at his lot, but on
the contrar}', met his fate with a smile. The only question ©■f Col..
Wyman's making a brilliant record as a soldier was the one whether-
•he would live through an engagement. His fault was rashness. What
he did, he did it with all his might. Every soldier in his regiment
admired and loved him. From him they could borrow a dollar when;
all other resources failed. His name had been sent to the senate for
confirmation as a brigadier by the president, and in a few weeks more,,
but for his untimely end, he would have been in command of a brigadcc.

P. H. ScHocK, farmer. Palmyra, was born on February 4, 1814, in;
Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and is the son of Henry and Mag-
dalena (Beck) Schock. His father was a miller, and also carried on a.
farm, and died in Pennsylvania about 1835. Mr. Schock waseducated
in his native count}', and when old enough assisted his father in the
mill. In 1840 he engaged in mercantile business, which he followed
for about six years, after which he became a farmer, and continued in
that occupation until 1850, when he removed to Illinois,, and settledat
' 50

§44 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

ComOjWhitesides county. The followino- year he came toPrairieville,
Lee comity, and purchased a farm, on which he has since resided. He
was married in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, on November 27,
1841, to Miss Louisa Eyer. She died December 30, 18T2, leavingfour
children surviving: Josephine, born November 11, 1843, who is the
wife of Charles W. Marston, and resides at Lawrence, Kansas ; "William,
born January 21, 1816, and a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah ; How-
ard E., born March 31, 1859, and married in 1879, to Miss Lia Kelsey,
of Sterling, Whitesides county. They reside on the old homestead.
Florence L., born October 19, 1862, also resides at home. Mr. Schock
has been twice elected supervisor of his town on the republican ticket,
and has filled almost every other town office.

Daniel Reichart, farmer. Palmyra, was born in Northampton
county, Pennsylvania, on April 9, 1829, and is the son of Samuel and
Catharine (Weidman) Reichart. His father died in Pennsylvania in
1852, but his mother is still living in that state. After leaving school
Mr. Reichart learned the carpenter's trade, and also farmed consider-
ably, and in 1853 came to the west, but returned home during the fol-
lowing winter. In 1854 he came to Palmyra township and settled
permanently, and still owns the original eighty acres of land on which
he commenced to farm, but which has since increased to over two hun-
dred acres. He was married January 1, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth J.
Kressler, also a native of Northampton count}^ Pennsylvania, and they
have eight children living: Susan F., born May 13, 1854, married to
Albertus Miller, and resides in Clierokee, Iowa; Job, born June 21,
1855, also a resident of Cherokee; Elizabeth, born May 28, 1857, and
married to William F. Seavey, who resides in Palmyra; Samuel, born
January 25, 1859; Sara, born May 8, 1860; Minnie, born October 30,
1865 ; Edith J., born November 3, 1866, and Carrie C, born September
10, 1868, all reside with their parents. In his political affiliations Mr.
Reichart is a !uember of the democratic party.

Hiram P. Parks, farmer. Palmyra, is one of the earliest settlers
of the town. He was born in Franklin county. New York, on August
29, 1808, and is the son of Aaron and Rebecca (Prescott) Parks. His
father was a farnjer, and died some twenty years ago. Mr. Parks was
reared as a farmer in his native county, and removed to Illinois in 1836,
locating in Dixon, where he remained two years, after which he bought
a farm in Palmyra township, where he has ever since resided. He
and his sons own some six hundred acres of the finest land in the county,
and he has seen his township progress from an almost unbroken prairie,
inhabited by some half dozen families, to its present state of develop-
ment as one of the best cultivated and most fertile sections in the west,
and settled by as enterprising and intelligent a class of citizens as can be

ADDITIONAL MATTER. 845

found within the borders of our own or any other country. Mr. Parks
was married in the State of New York, in December 1829, to Miss
Martha Moon, a native of Otsego countj^, New Yorlv, whose parents
were natives of Vermont. They have been married more than half a
century, and are still in the enjoyment of good health, and active and
vigorous both mentally and phj^sically. They have eight children, the
eldest of whom is Mary, born July 24, 1833, and the wife of John
Lawrence, of Palmyra ; Eunice H., born February 25, 1836, is married
to William Ayres, and resides in Iowa; Rebecca D., born April 13,
1838, is the wife of Thomas Ayres, a resident of Palmyra ; Wayne H.,
born August 24, 1840, is a farmer and resides in Palmyra; Robert B.,
born December 13, 1843, is a resident of Pennsylvania; Henry A.,
born January 15, 1846, resides in Ogle county, Illinois; Frederick N.,
born September 22, 1849, is a farmer and resides in Palmyra; Abner
H. was born in Palmyra township on February 19, 1853, and has
always resided in his native town. He was married May 5, 1875, to
Miss Mary Drew, of Ogle county, Illinois, who died February 21, 1881.
Hg resides at the old homestead. Mr. Parks has always been an earnest
republican, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist church of
Dixon, the latter being the only survivor of the original founders of
that church.

James L. McGinnis, farmer. Palmyra, was born in JSTew York city
on August 22, 1831, and is the son of Stewart and Mary (Law) Mc-
Ginnis. His father was a very skillful machinist, and died, while
James was a lad, in Louisiana, whither he had gone to superintend
the erection of machinery upon a large sugar plantation. His widow
being left in reduced circumstances, and with four young children to
support, decided to accompany her father, David Law, and his family,
to Illinois, and they arrived in Dixon in September 1839. During
the following wnnter they suffered greatly from sickness and privation.
In connection with Capt. Hugh Graham they purchased the claim
to some 700 acres of land lying along Rock river, their portion of
which is still owned by the family. James L. McGinnis was educated
in the primitive schools of the neighborhood and at Dixon, and when
grown engaged in farming. Soon after the discovery of gold in Cali-
fornia he went to that state, and after remaining there several years
he returned to Palmyra township, and resumed his agricultural pur-
suits, which he has since followed. He was married on March 12,
1861, to Miss Mary B. Becker, a native of Reading, Pennsylvania, but
whose parents were old settlers of Palmyra. They have nine children
living: William C, born June 22, 1862; Ella, born March .12, 1864;
Mabel, born August 15, 1865 ; James F., born May 3, 1867, Keziah,
born March 11, 1869; Mark E., born November 12, 1870; Harry,

846 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

bora June 20, 1872; Oliver, born August 17, 1874, and Paul, born
June 15, 1878, all of whom reside \vith their parents. Mr. McGinnis
is a republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church.
William G. McGinnis, the brother of James L., is also a native of
the city of New York, where he was born on September 19, 1833.
The history of his earlier days is like that of his brother, and with the
exception of tliree years' service in Co. A, 13th 111. Vols., into which
he enlisted on the outbreak of the rebellion, his entire life since he
was six years of age has been passed in Palmyra township, where he
is engased in farming. He has never married, but his mother and
grandmother reside with him. The latter, Mrs. Keziah (Hillis) Law,
will be just one hundred years of age in July 1882, and is undoubt-
edly the oldest person living in Lee county.

Among the successful farmers of Ashton township may be men-
tioned Peter L. Brecunier, born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania,
February 14, 1834. He was reared to the sturdy occupation of a
tiller of the soil, receiving but a limited education in the subscription
schools of his native state. In the spring of 1849 he with his father's
family started for Illinois, and reached Franklin Grove, Lee county.
May 12, that year they rented the farm now owned by J. C. Lah-
man. During the same year they purchased the land on which a part
of the village of Franklin Grove now stands. This, however, they
soon sold, and purchased land in the southwest corner of Ashton
township. Peter L., the subject of this sketch, purchased for himself
a farm of 205 acres in Sec. 31, T. 22, K. 11. This is one of the model
farms of Ashton township, and indicates that its owner is a man of
thrift, industry and enterprise. In 1874 he added to the beauty of his
home by erecting a fine brick residence at the cost of $4,000. Besides
farming he is now engaged in stock raising, giving some attention to
grades. February 22, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan
M., daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Foreman) Riddlesbarger, Esq.
She was born in Franklin county, Pens3dvania. They are the parents
of one child, Quinby A., born August 29, 1867. Mr. Brecunier's
parents both died here and were buried in the cemetery at the German
Baptist church near Nachusa.

Thomas Paddock, retired farmer, is a native of Ohio, and was born
August 14, 1814. He, with his parents, Ebenezer and Nancy (Furgu-
son) Paddock, left Ohio at an early day, and removed to Vigo county,
Indiana, where our subject was united in marriage, in 1835, to Miss
Nancy Payne, a native of Vigo county. In 1837 Mr. Paddock left
Indiana, and removed to Ogle county, where he made a claim, and

ADDITIONAL MATTEE. 847

thus became one of the pioneers of that county, whose nearest market
was Chicago, or Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he hauled his produce
many years with teams and wagon. He sold his produce for a price
that now would not be considered sufficient to pay the expense of such
a trip. But Mr. Paddock made the best use of his time and means,
and has by industry and saving made a good property, now owning
340 acres of land in Lee and Ogle counties. April 28, 1879, his home
was broken up for the first since it was established, b}^ the death of his
noble wife. Since then he has made two or three moves, but is now
permanently settled on his farm in Ashton township, and is enjo_ying
the rest needed after a life of hard labor. His children are William
H., now in Ogle county, and Jefferson, who died in the south during
the war; Eliza J., wife of Joseph Cummins; Rebecca A., wife of
Oeorge Brown ; Leathy, wife of Capt. J. L. Frost, of Ashton town-
ship ; Rosella, at home with her father, and Lorilla, wife of Enoch
Self.

John C. Boavees, deceased, came from Germany with his wife,
Margaret (Fogle) Bowers, and settled in Somerset county, Pennsylva-
nia, and there had born to them three children, one of whom is Law-
rence Bowers, born August 19, 1829. He was reared on a farm,
without the benefit of free schools, and but very little subscription
school privileges. In 1853 he came to Lee county in search of a place
to make his future home. After looking over the remaining govern-
ment land he decided it was too low and wet, and returned to Penn-
sylvania, but the next spring came back, and purchased eighty acres in
Sec. 19, T. 22, P. 11, paying $8 per acre for the same land he could
have had the year before for $1.50. Land rose rapidly in value after
the advent of the railroad through this section. Some years later he
bought an additional 120 acres. In the fall of 1865 he married Miss
Dianna Fogle, a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. They have
six children : William C, Malinda, Hettie, George W., Harry G. and
Nina May. Mr. Bowers' parents came to Lee county, where they
died, and are buried in the Ashton cemetery. His brother and sister
are now making their home with him.

KiNOAiD, son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Swisher) Runyan, farmer
and stock raiser, Ashton, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania,
January 19, 1838. He was brought up on a farm, and with but a lim-
ited means of education, though by much reading and cai-eful observa-
tion he has gained what m[ght be called a good business education.
In the spring of 1861 he came to Lee county, and hired out to work
on a farm. This he followed till the winter of 1865, when he enlisted
in Co. K, 3d 111. Cav. After the close of the war, and a tour among
the Indians through northern Dakota to the British possessions, he

848 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

was honorably discharged, and returned to Lee county. January 19,
1869, he married Miss Charit}-, daughter of Daniel and Christena
(King) Brecunier, and in the spring of the same year began as a renter
on the farm he now owns. In the fall of 1874 he bought the farm and
became permanently located, and is now engaged in farming and stock
raising on Sec. 31, T. 22, R. 11. His parents were born* lived and
died in the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Runyan is of the opinion that
his ancestors are of French origin, the name far back in its history
being De Runyan. Since the above writing Mrs. Kincaid Runyan
departed this life, November 17, 1881, after an illness of about live
weeks. She bore her long suffering with great patience, and leaves,
besides her almost broken-hearted husband, a large circle of friends
and relatives to mourn their loss. She was a citizen of Franklin from
childhood, and a member of one of the best families in the county. Her
early death is severely felt by her grief-stricken friends.

Haklow E. Chadwick, son of Ambrose and Sarah Chadwick, mer-
chant, Ashton, was born near Rochester, New York, June 11, 1840.
When still an infant his parents moved to Oneida county. In 1856
the family removed to Iowa, and remained one year, after which they
removed to Bradford township, in Lee county. Mr. Chadwick is one
of the firm of Bly & Chadwick, engaged in business in Ashton in 1879,
and is quite a prominent citizen. He conducted the count}^ farm sev-
eral years. August 14, 1862, he enlisted in the 75th IH. Inf., was with
the regiment one year, and was then transferred to the veteran reserves.
Was discharged May 20, 1865. Is a member of Odd-Fellows' Lodge,
No. 422, and also a member of the Presbyterian church, with,which he
united in 1879. Was married in 1866, to Miss Esther P. Starks, a
native of Lee county.

David Sanford, postmaster, Ashton, son of Salmon and Elizabeth
Sanford, was born near Dayton, Ohio, December 25, 1820, where he
resided until eighteen 3'ears of age, when he went to Noble county,
Indiana, and resided nine years. Then he came to Ogle county,
Illinois. In the spring of 1850 he went to California, and remained
until 1857 in the gold regions, then returned to Ogle county, where he
remained until 1862. In that year he enlisted in the 75th 111. Inf. and
served until the fall of 1863. In that year he came to Lee county. In
1867 he was appointed postmaster at Ashton, and since that tinie has
officiated in that capacity. Married, in 1863, Mrs. Mehetabel Oneil, a
native of Ohio. Before his return from the army he was promoted to
a captaincy of Co. G, and is now familiarly called "Cap."

Henry Bly, merchant, Ashton, son of Thomas R. and Nancy Bly,
was born in Chenango county. New York, June 9, 1827, where he
resided until eighteen years of age ; at that time he came to Light

ADDITIOISTAL MATTER. 849

House Point, Ogle county, where he was engaged in farming until
1850, In that year he went with a party of wealth-hunters to Califor-
nia, crossing the plains in a wagon drawn by oxen. While there he
traveled through a large portion of the mining district, and encount-
ered a great many difKcalties and dangers that beset the paths of those
hardy, daring men who cast their lot in the wilds of California. Was-
in that state fifteen months; returned by way of New York. In 1857
was elected supervisor of Ashton township, and held the office eleven
years. In 1853 was elected justice of the peace, and with the exception
of a few years has held the office ever since. Is a member of Odd-
Fellows and Masonic orders. Was married in July 1848, to Miss
Anna J. Wood, a native of Canada.

Melvin Hardesty, hotel-keeper, Ashton, son of Richard and Sarah
Hardesty, was born in Ogle county, Illinois, in 1844. His father came
to Ogle county in 1835, and was one of the pioneers of that county. In.
1862 Mr. Hardesty removed to Ashton, and for ten years has been
engaged in carriage and house painting. In 1879 he bought a hotel,
now known as the Clifton house, and since that time has been conduct-
ing it in addition to his other business. He was married in 1872 to
Miss Mary Beard, a native of Brooklyn, New York. In 1865 he
enlisted in Co. H, of the 140th 111. Inf , and served six months.

Edwin M. Blair, farmer and stock raiser, Amboy, was born in
Oneida county, New York, November 23, 1826. His parents, James
and Fanny (Hamilton) Blair, were born and reared in Massachusetts.
His father was hotel-keeping in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, New
York, when in 1838 (the date is erroneously given in the township
history a year earlier) he quit the state, and coming here made a
claim 'on the N.W. i and half of the S.W. J Sec. 29, T. 20, R. 10,
besides somewhat more land than this which we cannot describe. This
subject now owns 200 acres of the original claim. In 1839 the rest
of the family, including the mother, the two daughters, Elmina and
Caroline, and four sons, Winthrop II., Edwin M., William W. and
Charles L. joined him. The latter was drowned in Inlet creek in the
autumn of 1850. Winthrop resides in Marion township, and William
at Sandwich, De Kalb county. The eldest son, James R., stayed
behind in the east until about 1846; he then also came and lived here,
where he died in 1857. Mr. Blair was married December 24, 1854, to
Miss Juliet, daughter of Jacob J. Conderman, of Marion township,
who removed there from Steuben county. New York, in 1851. Her
death occurred in 1873. She was the mother of four children : Ida
(dead), Frank, William J. and Ruth C. Mr. Blair was married again

850 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

on September 24, 1877, to Mrs. Ruth M. Marsh (Crowder), widow of
Edmund Marsh. She had by her first marriage the following chil-
dren: Nettie, Dessa, William (dead), and Albert W. Mr. Blair has
held office most of the time since the township was organized. He
has been deputy sherift'one term, school trustee three terms, road com-
missioner many years, and also assessor. He is a republican, and was
a member of the Amboy lodge of Odd-Fellows before it lapsed, in the
time of the war. Mrs. Blair belongs to the United Brethren church,
but was formerly a Methodist.

Adoniram J. Tompkins, farmei', Amboy, son of Nathaniel S. and
■Sally (Reynolds) Tompkins, was born in New York in 1831. As
early as Mr. Tompkins can remember, his father, who was a black-
smith, moved to Ohio and settled on a farm, where he followed his
new calling, and worked also at his trade. Mr. Tompkins learned the
■carpenter's trade, and early in 1856 came to Dunleith, Illinois, and the
following spring, obtaining employment from the Illinois Central rail-
road company, worked six months as foreman. After that he had
charge of the carpenter work on station buildings between Dunleith
and Wapella until about 1873, when his superintendence was extended
to Centralia. In the spring of 1879 he quit the service of the compa-
ny, and moved to his present farm, about two miles west of Amboy.
Mr. Tompkins was married in 1858, to Miss Mary A. Smith, of New
York, by whom he has three children : Walter, Elma, and Stella. Both
parents are communicants in the Baptist church. He has been road
commissioner of the township, and was alderman of Amboy five years.
In politics he is a republican.

J. Harvey Ives, senior member of the firm of Ives & Slauter,
lumber and coal dealers, Amboy, was born in Berkshire county, Mass-
achusetts, December 29, 1827. He was the youngest son of John and
Hannah (Ford) Ives, whose ancestors settled in New Haven, Connecti-
cut, in the early days of the colony. Mr. Ives obtained a common
school education, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. At the age
of seventeen he engaged in carpenter work, and for twenty-five years
that was his only business. On May 12, 1852, he was married, in
West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, to Miss Antoinette I. Tobey, of that
place, who was born March 2, 1833. They have reared one daughter,
Clara, now Mrs. Willis Bristol, of Denver, Colorado. In December,
1856, Mr. Ives and his family removed from the east and settled in
Amboy, where he continued working at his trade until July 1, 1870,
when he embarked in his present business in partnership with D. W.
Slauter, under the firm name of Ives ct Slauter. He has been elected
alderman of the city three times, and is a republican politically. Him-
self, wife and daughter are members of the Congregational church.

ADDITIOlSrAL MATTER. 851

Aethur p. Wasson, farmer, Ainboy, son of Lorenzo D. and
Aurelia (Gaylord) Wasson, was born in Amboy township, Ma^' 3,
1849. In his father's family there were six children : Henrietta,
Benjamin (dead), Arthur P., Audentia E., Marietta, and John C-
(dead). Mr. Wasson was married February 22, 1872, to Miss Lizzie
M. Sprague, daughter of James Sprague, an earl}' settler of Putnam
county. They have the following children : Oddy, Lorenzo D.,
Arthur Guy, and Winn. We append the following interesting sketch
of the grandfather of our subject, his removal to the west in an early
day, and settlement in Amboj' township. It was furnished by Mrs.
E. DeWolf :

Benjamin Wasson removed with his wife, formerly Elizabeth
Hole, and five children, from Broome county, Kew York, to Illinois,
in the fall of 1836. The entire journey was made with their own
teams, and consumed forty days. They camped out most of the time
after leaving New York, as they found that pleasanter than the hotel
accommodations on the frontier at that time. For the comfort of his
family he stopped first in Farmington, Fulton county, where a house
was procurable. The same fall, with his eldest son, Lorenzo, he vis-
ited the Rock river country, and made woodland claims in Palestine
Grove, and prairie claims a mile or two north. On the latter they
erected, during the following year, a log house. When they had the
body of it up, an oil-cloth carpet was stretched over the top for cover-
ing, and here the eldest daughter, Clara, not yet fifteen years old,
kept house for her father and brother, while they cut the trees and
converted them into puncheon for the floor, and shakes M'ith which to
cover the roof. When nightfall came, and the wolves began as usual
to howl, the young girl used to seek shelter and safety in the covered
wagon, drawing down the curtains closely all around, and waiting for
the return of the men. This house, the first, I think, built on the
prairie between Palestine and Franklin groves, was located about
three-quarters of a mile northeast from the depot of the Illinois Cen-
tral railroad, in the city of Amboy. Energy and perseverance were
necessary to meet successfully the obstacles in the pathway of the early
settlers, and these traits were prominent in the character of this pio-
neer. While the pine clapboards, glass, sash and all had to be brought
from Chicago on wagons and sleds, in a very few years a new and
more comfortable dwelling, with other farm buildings, surrounded the
first rude home in the then far west. To this all the family removed
from Farmington, in 1837, and here they lived unharmed through the
perilous banditti times. The log house remained to welcome and give
shelter to the families of relatives and friends who came, while they
were building abodes for themselves. In this home the youngest

852 - HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

child and daughter, the writer hereof, was born in August 1839.
Although no sign of entertahiment ever hung beside the gate or door,
the weary wayfarer was always cheerfully welcomed, and the question
" Do you need dinner ?" or supper, as the case might be, or " Are you
hungry?" became a habit with the ever kind and careful mother of
the household. In 1849 the California excitement induced the old
gentleman to take his youngest son and cross the plains. From this
journey he never returned, but died of shagress fever while on his way
home in February 1851. The widow continued to live on the old
place until near the end of 1863, when, to the hardships of pioneer
life, and numerous added afflictions, her health gave way, and the old
home was broken up. The mother followed the fortunes of the
youngest child until May 18, 1874, when she was called from earth to
paradise. The older children, Lorenzo D. "Wasson, Dr. Harmon Was-
son, and Roxy Emma, who became Mrs. Simon Badger, all died at
Amboy in the prime of life. The surviving children are Mrs. Clara
Backensto, of Iowa City, Iowa ; Mr. Warren Wasson, of Carson City,
Nevada, and Mrs. E. DeWolf, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The eldest
grandson, Arthur P. Wasson, owns and lives on the old larm, while
the remaining grandchildren and great-grandchildren are scattered
from New York to Colorado and Nevada.

Thomas Brown, Franklin Grove, was born in Newport, Rhode
Island, in 1820. He is the only son and youngest child of Thomas
W. and Rebecca (Vial) Brown, whose family numbered six, live of
whom are living. His paternal grandfather was a " revolutioner."
His father was a tailor, and the same craft was learned by the son. In
1839 Mr. Brown came to Lee county, in company with Erastus DeWolf,
and soon after made a claim. In 1840 he returned to his native state,
and in April of the following year was married to Ruth Simpson. He
then came back to Illinois. In 1855 Mr. Brown came to the village
of Franklin Grove, having previously lived about ten 3^ears in Lee
Center, at "Inlet." His family are Thomas W., Robert P., Mary E.,
Harriet, and Lottie. Mr. Brown is one of those men whose good
memory and friendly, affable nature are indispensable in collecting mat-
ter for a work of this nature. He has lived here to see the great growth
of this county, its prairies transformed into beautiful fields producing
a wealth of golden grain, its towns and villages, churches and schools,
scattered all over this beautiful land.

S. A. Griswold, physician, Franklin Grove, was born in the State
of New York, Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, in the year 1839, son
of Justinian and Prudence S. (Dole) Griswold, both of Yermont. His

ADDITIONAL MATTER, 853

father, a teacher by profession, had a family of one son and one daughter ;
he died when our subject was two years old. The latter, while yet a
lad, came with his mother to Lee Center; here he attended school, and
as soon as qualified began teaching. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted
in the 13th 111. Inf., Co. A, Capt. Koble, 1st Lieut. Henry Dement.
He liad hardly learned the drill before he was made a hospital steward.
He was in Missouri and Arkansas till he was mustered out, early in
1863. He then resumed the study of medicine, which he had but just
begun before enlisting; in 1866 graduated from the Cincinnati Physio-
Medical Institute. In 1864 Dr. Griswold came to Franklin Grove;
January, 1867, he married Olive May, who died August 1873, leaving
one son, DeWitt E., born April 30, 1869. Mr. Griswold is a republi-
can and a Mason ; for six years he has been a member of the town
school board. In February of 1877 his mother died, aged seventy-three
years, after several years of married life with her third husband, Elisha
Pratt, an early settler in Lee county. The doctor is one of those men
who are always ready to lend a helping hand to any enterprise which
tends to benefit or build up the community in which he lives, and his
long and successful business profession in this part of the county has
won for him a great many true friends.

In writing the history of the early settlers of this township we find
the Reinhakts worthy of honorable mention. They were natives of
Germany, and came to Lee county, Illinois, in an early day. Andrew
Reinhart was born in Hesse Cassel in 1843. He has by hard work,
good management, and a close attention to business, with the help of
an industrious and faithful wife, accumulated a large amount of prop-
erty. His farm, about two and a half miles south of Franklin, con-
tains over 300 acres, is one of the best in that part of the township,
and is evidence of the thrift of its owner. Coming with his parents to
Lee county when a small child, he was thus deprived of the advantages
of an education except such as w^as afi'orded by the pioneer schools of
the county. In June, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Catha-
rine Hafenrichter, a native of New York, who was born March 7, 1845,
and came to Illinois when about one year old. They are the parents
of eight children, five of whom are living : Charlotte F., Anna C,
Henry C, Elizabeth, and John F. Mr. Reinhart's parents, Crist and
Christina Reinhart, are buried at Lee Center.

That some families are more certainly successful than others with
the same advantages, and by economy and industry rise to prosperity
and wealth, is certainly illustrated by the Hansens. The two brothers,
Henry and Harrison, are the pioneers of the family. They left their

854 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

native home near Bangor, Maine, in the fall of 1838, arriving at Frank
lin Grove in October, and soon after bought a claim of Erastus DeWolf,
a man noted for his ambition to own every good piece of land in the
county. The boys went to work on the principle that time is money,
and that principle has characterized them through life. They went to
farming and opening up their new home as soon as the means could be
raised to make the start, hauling their wheat and pork to Chicago with
ox-teams, and selling the former sometimes as low as forty cents per
bushel, and the latter for two and a half cents per pound, and hauling
back luuiber or such other commodities as could not be dispensed with.
These trips were made»on an outlay of less than seventy-five cents in
cash. For their milling they generally went to Aurora. In the fall of
1840 their father, Charles Hansen, with the rest of the family, came on
and joined them in their new home. He soon bought a farm, the one
where his son, S. C. Hansen, now lives. Here he lived till the time of
his death, which occurred March 20, 1860, at the age of seventy-nine
years. His wife died December 4, 1878, aged nearly eighty-nine years.
Tiiey are buried in the cemetery at Franklin Grove, and a substantial
monument marks their last resting place. He was the youngest of two
brothers, Fredrick and Charles, whose paternal ancestor came from
Saxony as an officer in the commissary department of Burgoyne's army
in the time of the revolutionary war, and at the time of the surrender
of that noted chieftain, when the choice was given the prisoners to be
released on parol or join the Colonial ranks, he proposed that if Gen.
Washington would assign to him the same position he held in the
British army he would take the oath of allegiance to the American
cause, and from that time he became forage master for Gen. AVashing-
ton, and rendered very efficient service in that position till the close of
the war. He was a Saxon-German, born and reared in wealth, being
a son of a family of high rank and a learned officer of that proud na-
tion. He died in the State of Maine, where he had married and reared
his familj^ His eldest son, Fredrick, remained east, where he reared
a famii}', and his second son, Charles, came to Lee county, Illinois, as
above stated, and reared a prosperous family, which is now (1881) living
in the vicinity of Franklin Grove, where they first settled.

Sylvanus C. Hansen, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove?
was born in the State of Maine October IT, 1825, and in 1840 came
with his parents to Lee county, Illinois. His school advantages were
very meager, only such as were afforded in the old subscription schools
of pioneer history. At the age of about sixteen he became the victim
of a protracted fever, which finally resulted in a fever-sore settling in
one limb. For a time his life was despaired of, at the age of nineteen
not weighing 100 pounds. Soon after, however, he changed for the

ADDITIONAL MATTEE. 85 &

better, and at the age of twenty-one was entirely restored. December
20, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Sabina Fellows, of Belvi-
dere, Boone county, Illinois. They have become the parents of five
children : Ida C, Charles F., Lillian, Grace, and May. Mr. Hansen
made his start by working on his father's farm as a renter. Following
up his first start, and by hard work and good management, he has been
successful in so much that he now owns 680 acres of good, valuable
land, and is living on part of the old homestead one mile west of Frank-
lin Grove.

William Fokbes, deceased, was born in North Carolina, June 20,
1817, and was reared a farmer, with but limited educational advantages.
In 1856 he came to Illinois and settled in Ogle county, and there en-
gaged in farming. December 20, 1857, he married Miss Susan Barges,
a native of North Carolina, who was born January 22, 1827. They
became the parents of six children, four of whom are living: Mary E.,.
wife of John H. Parker, now in Kansas: Julias, Margaret, and Caleb,.
now at home, A son died in Washington county, Kansas, March 23,
1881, aged nearly twenty-one years. His death was a sore affliction
to his mother. In 1870 Mr. Forbes removed to Lee county, Illinois,
and bought a farm in the north part of China township, and there en-
gaged in farming till the time of his death, which occurred January 22,
1873. Mrs. Forbes with her children still live on their home in this
township.

Henky W. Hillison, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove, was
born in Bradford township, Lee county, Illinois, September 12, 1850,
and was reared on the farm. He received a liberal education. During
his early youth he attended the common schools at home, but finished
his education with about two years in college, or high schools. May 8,
1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John
and Barbara (Burnhart) Roth. They are the parents of three children :
John H., Christian A. and William C. At the time of his marriage
Mr. Hillison moved ofn his farm of 200 acres in Sees. 26 and 36, T. 21,
R. 10. This farm is but one of the many prosperous ones of this town-
ship, and proves its owner to be a young man of good taste and enter-
prise. In 1881 he erected one of the finest residences in the township..
His father, Oman Hillison, a native of Norway, came to Lee county in
an early day, and settled near Lee Center. His first I'esidence was a
sod house in what is now Bradford township. He died in June 1854.
His mother, Elizabeth (Rienhart) Hillison, is by nativity a Hessian-
German, and came to America when only fourteen years of age, and
also became one of Lee county's early pioneers. She is still living in
Bradford township.

George W., son of Martin and Mary (Fisher) Eastwood, was bora

856 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

in China townsliip, Lee conntj, Illinois, April 1, 18-16. He, like his
father, was reared a farmer. In 1864 he enlisted in the 34th 111. Yet.
Vol. Inf., and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. De-
cember 10, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Julia R., daughter
of E. C. Thomas, Esq., of Franklin Grove. She was born in this town-
ship August 20, 1846. They have two children, Alice M. and Byron
E. Mr. Eastwood began life by working out by the month, but not
with the intention of making it his business through life, but only to
get a start, for soon after we find him on a rented farm for a short time,
and he soon after bought a farm of his own in Sec. 26, T. 21, R. 10,
which he has finely improved, besides adding to his first purchase till
he now owns over 200 acres, which, if no unforeseen misfortune over-
takes him, he v/ill soon have clear of debt. His parents came to Lee
county in 1840, and are still living.

LEo:srAED W. Hale is one of the few early settlers yet living in Lee
county. He was born in the State of New York May 25, 1806. When
he was about eighteen months old his father (Jessee Hale) died and he
was taken by his grandfather, who in 1812 removed to Ohio, where
young Leonard was reared in the backwoods among the Indians, and
well trained in all that pertains to pioneer life and hardships. At the
age of twenty he began for himself by working out by the month, which
he followed successfully about eight years. He then rented a dairy
farm and after following that business about ten or twelve years had
secured means enough to enable him to undertake to make the trip to,
and start in, a new country, so accordingly he set out for Illinois in
1847, bringing w^ith him his family, a team of horses, and wagon. He
first settled in the north part of Dixon township, where he worked on
rented land three years, and then removed to his present home farm
of 160 acres in Sec. 26, T. 21, R. 10, in China township. Here he per-
manently settled and has since lived, following the business of farming
and stock raising. December 29, 1836, he was united in marriage
with Miss Sarah A. Crawford, a sister of the Hon. Joseph Crawford,
of Dixon. The}^ are the parents of six children, three of whom are
living: Mariett, now Mrs. John C. Leake; Alvira, wife of Adam My-
nard, and Abi, wife of Bascom Decker, When Mr. Hale began in Lee
county, he hauled wheat that he had raised on shares to Chicago, and
sold it for thirty-seven and a half cents per bushel.

Thomas Gilbert, Franklin, was born in England, May 1, 1760, and
after growing up was engaged as a shepherd, following that business
principally through life. September 29, 1783, he was married to Sarah,
his wife, who was born December 31, 1761. Of their children, one
they called Junia, was born in Northamptonshire, England, June 13,
1800, and like his father, was reared a shepherd. May 1, 1820, he was

ADDITIOISTAL MATTER. 857

united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Cobley, who was also a native
of England. She was born August 16, 1797. After his marriage Mr,
Gilbert engaged in teaming and timber hauling, and was also engaged
as a grazier. In 1859 he set sail for America in the steamship City of
Baltimore. For one year he stopped at Courtland in this state, and
then came to Lee county, where he went to work on rented land near
Franklin. He soon after bought land and farmed with his son George,
for a number of years. He then sold out to George and came into the
village of Franklin, where he now lives, at the advanced age of near
eighty-two years. His wife died in 1869.

Abraham Gilbert, son of the above parents, w^as born in North-
amptonshire, England, November 9, 1828, His educational advan-
tages consisted of about one month to a day school, and the balance of
a fair education was obtained by attending night and Sunday-school, the
latter being taught many j'ears by his father. At the age of twenty-
one he enlisted in the British army, serving nearly four years, being in
Russia in the early part of the Crimean war. In the summer of 1856
he was married to Miss Lucy Smith, also a native of Northamptonshire,
England, and in 1858, with his wife and family, bade farewell to his
native land and sailed for America in the steamship Kangaroo. He
first stopped in Kane county, Illinois, but soon after came to Lee
county, rented land and engaged in farming, working as a renter six
years. Ho then bought his present liome farm in Sec. 23, T. 22, R. 10,
in China township. To this he has kept adding till he now owns 320
acres of good land, all earned by his own hard work and the help of
an industrious wife. They are the parents of eight children : Caroline
E., Laura E., Junia T., Evasta A., Joseph J,, llnice L., Lucy M. and
Rebecca.

Thomas Gilbert, son of James and Elizabeth Gilbert, was born in
Northamptonshire, England, January 25, 1833. He was reared at a
mixed business of teaming, farming, etc., and received a limited educa-
tion in the common schools of his native place. In 1852 he sailed for
America in the sailing ship Albert Gallatin, an American vessel. His
first two years in America were spent in the wood business in the State
of New York, after which he went to Chicago, and engaged in the
railroad business, in the capacity of brakeman, fireman and engineer,
which he followed fifteen years. Part of this time was spent in the
south during the war as engineer. In 1870 he bought land in Brad-
ford township and engaged in farming. Recently he bought a piece
of land in China township, south of Franklin, where he now lives.
December 5, 1861, he married Miss Ellen Gorman, a native of London,
England, who was born July 12, 1847. They are the parents of ten
children, and are members of the Lutheran church. The children are

858 HISTOEY OF LEE COUNTY.

George W., Abram G., John J., Charles A., Rosa E., Jessee P., Carrie
M., Thomas J., Nathan N. and Florence G.

George Gilbert, son of Junia and Elizabeth Gilbert, was born in
Northamptonshire, England, November 13, 1839, and was reared in
the villao^e of Warkton, ena^aged in attending school and teamino- till
1856. He then left his parents and native land, sailing for America in
the vessel City of Washington. After landing in New York he at
once went to Chicago, and soon after catne to Lee county and engaged
in working out by the month. In 1859, his father coming here, they
farmed together, first on rented land, but later bought a farm in Sec.
26, T. 22, R. 10, where they continued to farm together for a number
of years. After this George bought his father out, and now owns and
occupies the old home. He now owns over 500 acres of farming and
pasture land, and is extensively engaged in stock raising, dealing in
horses. He has introduced on his farm some of the best blood of Ken-
tucky. He is also giving some attention to sheep and swnne raising.

James W. Pankhurst, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove,
was born in London, England, April l-l, 1841. At the age of eleven
years he quit school and went to work in a wagon shop, where he
remained till the age of sixteen years. He then, seeing no prospect
for the future by remaining in the land of his birth, set sail in the ship
City of Washington for the United States, landing in New York in
June 1857. He at once came on to Lee county, and soon after hired
out to work for John Leake by the month, where he remained till the
outbreak of the war of the rebellion. August 13, 1862, he enlisted in
the service of his adopted country- in Co. E, 75th 111. Vol. Inf. He
was honorably discharged June 30, 1865. After his return home he
again engaged in working out by the month till 1868, when he bought
eighty acres of land in Sec. 27, T. 21, R. 10, and began farming for
himself. For the four years following he lived the unenviable life of
a bachelor, being his own cook and housekeeper. March 27, 1873, he
married Miss Louisa, daughter of William and Ann (Wenham) Law-
rence, who was born in Sussex, England, Septeml^er 15, 1849, and
came to America in the fall of 1872. Mr. Pankhurst has by hard
work and economy made for himself a good home of 200 acres of land,
which he is now improving in good shape. The success which has
crowned the efforts of Mr. Pankhurst is but an evidence of what pluck
and a determined will will accomplish.

William G. Bell, farmer and stock raiser, Fi-anklin Grove, is a
son of James and Jane (Brown) Bell, and was born near Perth, Can-
ada, in the Province of Ontario, April 30, 1830. He was reared on a
farm, and followed farming, lumbering and rafting on all the great
rivers of that romantic region of northern Canada. In 1855 he went.

ADDITIONAL MATTER. 859

west as far as the borders of Lake Huron, where he remained till 1861,
when he came on to Lee county and hired out on a farm, working faith-
fully for what is so much coveted by a young man having a spirit of
enterprise, independence. February 1-i, 1867, he married Miss Free-
dom Johnson, a native of Ohio, who was born September 13, 1840,
and came to Lee count}^ in 1866. They have one child, Maud, born
July 5, 1880. After his marriage Mr. Bell rented land and engaged
in farming, at the same time turning his attention to raising hogs,
which he made a success. In 1871 he bought eighty acres of the farm
where he now lives, in Sec. 23, T. 22, R. 10, to which he has since
kept adding, till he now owns 200 acres of good land in this township.
Success will crown the efforts of faithful industry.

LuTHEE F. Ramsdell, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove, is
a son of Farrington and Sarah (Fish) Ramsdell, and was born in Wash-
ington, Orange county, Yermont, September 20,1833. He was reared
a farmer, and educated in the common schools of his native state.
December 24, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet M.,
daughter of Ransom and Rebecca (Darling) Eastman, who was born in
Orange county, Yermont, January 29, 1836. After his marriage Mr.
Ramsdell became a partner with his father in the ownership and man-
agement of the old homestead, and followed farming till 1868, when
they sold out, in view of coming to Illinois to secure a home on its
beautiful prairies. In August of that year Mr. Ramsdell found him-
self in Lee county looking about where he might suit himself in a
piece of land on which to make a future home. After a short time he
decided on a 160 acres in Sec. 23, T. 21, R. 10. Here he permanently
located and engaged in farming and stock raising, making the business
a success. That he is a man of economy, thrift and enterprise is evi-
denced by the neat appearance of his farm and its surroundings. Even
the wind which passes over his farm is utilized in grinding grain b}^
day and night. He has one son, Ferrie R., born in "Washington, Yer-
mont, October 31, 1858. Mr. Ramsdell's father died here December
18, 1874, and is buried in the Pines Cemetery, on the farm, and his
mother died April 14, 1867, in Yermont, and is buried in her native
state. Mr. Ramsdell is a descendant of one of three brothers of that
name who came from England to America about the middle of the
seventeenth century.

Eeskine a. Bliss, son of Austin and Unice (Pease) Bliss, was
born near Springfield, Massachusetts, November 13, 1824. His early
youth was spent on a farm, receiving a common school education. Also
during the years of his minority he learned the trade of carpenter.
January 1, 1851, he married Miss Jane C. Ferre, a native of Spring-
field, Massachusetts. After his marriage Mr. Bliss worked at his trade
51

860 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

in a sash and door shop till 1853, when he came west, stopping in
Chicago five years, where he worked in the car shops of the Rock
Island & Chicago and Burlington & Quincy railroads. He then, in
1858, came to Lee county and bought land in the south end of China
township, and there engaged in farming and stock raising. This he
followed till 1871, when he quit the farm and went to Minneapolis,
where he engaged in railroading and the lumber business till 1881,
when he returned to his farm. He has one son, Frank E., now
at home on the farm.

Prominent among the early settlers of China township now living
is Mr. Jacob Riddelsbaegee, who was born of true German ancestors
in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1816. He was reared a
farmer. He had very limited means of procuring an education, though
by close observation and extensive reading he has gained a fair business
education and on all subjects. Pertaining to practical business he is
one of our best posted men. In the fall of 1837 he was united in
marriage with Miss Hannah Foreman, a daughter of Mr. Abraham
Foreman, a second cousin, who is also of German ancestrj'. After his
marriage Mr. Riddelsbarger engaged in a mixed business of farming,
butchering and saw-milling till 1845, when he came to Lee county,
justly believing that on the broad, beautiful prairies of Illinois he
would find ample room to bring into practice that early training which
iias characterized his principles through life. After his arrival here he
at once bought a farm and engaged in farming and stock raising, living
on his first farm thirty years, and then fulfilled a long-cherished desire
to see settled on the old home one of his children. He sold out to his
son-in-law, Mr. J. L. Miller, and built himself a residence on a little
farm of eleven acres near Franklin Grove, and is now enjoying the
blessings which result from a life of industry and conscientious living.
His children are Catharine, wife of J. L. Miller; Susan M., wife of
Peter Brechunier, and Daniel F., now an engineer in Chicago. One
daughter, Mary E., died in March 1880. Mr. Riddlesbarger and
family are members of the German Baptist church, an organization for
which he has given liberally.

Jacob L. Mili.ee, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove, is
among the few young men who came to Lee county poor and without
means many years ago, and have since by industry, hard work and close
attention to business, become wealthy, prosperous, and comfortably estab-
lished in life. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (Lahman) Miller, and
was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1835. He was
reared on a farm and received a common school education. In 1854,
in company with Samuel Lahman and family, he came to Lee county
and hired out to work on a farm for $12.50 per month. This and car-

ADDITIOISTAL MATTER. 861

penter-work he followed till 1858, when he rented land of H. Hansen
and engaged in farming for himself. December 18, 1860, he married
Miss Catharine, daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Foreman) Riddlesbar-
ger, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1841.
In about 1861 Mr. Miller bought his first land, and after buying and
selling two farms he bought ont his father-in-law and permanently
located on Sees. 35 and 29, T. 22, E,. 10, near Franklin Grove, and
actively engaged in farming and stock raising. Of their four children
two are living, Elmer E. and Orvil F. The parents are members of
the German Baptist church.

John D. Lahman, farmer and stock grower, Franklin Grove, was
born in Maryland, June 22, 1834, and is the son of Christian and Eliza-
beth (Emmert) Lahman. In 1845 his parents emigrated to Lee county,
and with their family made a start in the new country. Here young
John grew up to manhood, early educated in all that pertains to the
principles of industry, economy, and hard work. His first start for
himself was made by working for his father by the month at his flour
mill on Franklin creek. This he followed three years. He then in
company with his brother, J. C. Lahman, bought the mill of their
father and successfully carried on the business a number of years. 'No-
vember 11, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary C,
daughter of John C. and Elizabeth (Diehl) Haughtelin, a native of
Adams county, Pennsylvania, who was born September 20, 1840, and
came to Lee county in 1857. They are the parents of two children
living, Clarence W. and Yinna A. In the spring of 1861 Mr. Lahman
moved on his present home farm, where he is permanently located and
engaged in farming and stock raising, making graded short-horn cattle
a specialty. His farm of 160 acres is in Sec. 26, T. 22, R. 10, and indi-
cates its owner to be a man of industry and good taste.

Charles Beackett, deceased, was born in Orange county, Ver-
mont, May 9, 1799, where he lived till 1854, following the business of
buying cattle and sheep for the Boston markets. He was first married
to Armina Bowman, a native of Vermont, by whom he reared one
child, who is now Mrs. Marion Bates, of Amboy. His second mar-
riage was to Miss Julia A. Spear, also a native of Vermont, born March
7, 1816. In 1854 Mr. Brackett came to Illinois, and after looking
around for some time decided to buy land near Aurora, and accord-
ingly bought 160 acres near town, the same land on which the seminary
now stands. This he sold the next spring, and on receipt of a letter
informing him that the Temperance Hill farm could be bought, he
came at once and made the purchase. This farm is located in the
southwest part of China township, and is said to be the highest eleva-
tion in Lee county. Here Mr. Brackett actively engaged in farming

862 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

and stock raising, making Spanish Merino sheep a specialty, following
the business closely till within the last few years. He died August 14,
1881, and is buried in the Temperance Hill Cemetery. Besides his
wife he left three children who were born to him by his last wife,
Julia M,, now Mrs. Dr. Charles Gardner, who removed to Dakota in
18S1 ; Mary E., wife of Job Bates, and Charles S., who was born on
the farm at Temperance Hill, July 29, 1860, and is now owner of the
farm and engaged in farming and stock raising. He is an enterprising
young man for whom we expect a successful future. He began for
himself when about thirteen years of age by renting his father's farm.
He now has what promises to be one of the leading farms in this part
of the county.

EzraWithey, one of the early settlers of China township, was born
in Somerset county, Maine, October 22, 1813. His parents, Isaac and
Polly (Russell) Withey, went far back into the wilderness on the Ken-
nebec river when Ezra was about twelve years old, and there followed
hunting, trapping and lumbering. Here the boy was reared to the
wild life of a hunter, chasing the moose and bear, always depending on
his trusty rifle, and trapping the beaver, otter, sable, and other animals
of the fur tribe. To him schools were institutions known by tradition,
and only in later years has he seen their benign influence shed over
our land. January 1, 1838, he married Miss Abigal Bradberry, who
was born in Somerset county, Maine, September 15, 1811. After his
marriage Mr. Withey engaged in enterprises of various kinds till he
secured the means to carry him to the western prairies, green fields de-
lightfully' beautiful, and in 18-17 left the wilderness of the Kennebec,
and came by team, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles, to Boston,
and from there, by way of Albany, Buffalo, and the lakes, to Chicago,
where he hired teams to bring himself, family and baggage to Grand
Detour. Soon after his arrival Mr. Withey bought eighty acres of
land on ci'edit in Sec. 22, T. 22, R. 10. This he paid for, and has kept
adding till he now owns a farm of four hundred and forty acres well
improved. Mr. Withey's first team here was a yoke of oxen, which,
however, he soon after exchanged for horses. In 1850 he, in company
with his brother-in-law, bought a Pitts threshing machine (the first of
the kind in all this part of the country) and engaged in threshing, tak-
ing for toll every tenth bushel. This was hauled to Chicago and sold
for 25 cents a bushel, but later, after the railroad opened up an outlet for
the produce, they got cash for threshing and times became better. Mr.
Withey, with his estimable lady, are now enjoying the fruits of a life of
industry. They have three children : George C, on part of the farm ;
Abigal, wife of J. L. Strock, of Franklin, and John, born July 12,
1850, and married Mary E, Negles, January 16, 1876. The last named

ADDITIONAL MATl'ER. 863

was born August 6, 1856, in Grand Detour, They have two chil-
dren, Leo J. and Clida L.

John Seebaoh, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin, was born in Ger-
many, December 30, 1836, and is the son of John S. and Anna C. See-
bach. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools
of his native country. Early in life he learned the trade of millwright,
which he followed till 1855, when, in company with his brother, he set
sail in the sailing vessel Republic for America. They landed in New
York, but at once came on to Lee county, where he engaged in work-
ing out on a farm by the month. This he followed two years. April
22, 1858, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Casper Weishar, who
was born in Germany, April 25, 1839. They are the parents of eight
children : Conrat, Fredrica C, Catharine E., John S., Christian,
Charlie, Anna B. and Martha. After his marriage Mr. Seebach farmed
on rented land for awhile with his brother, and then bought a farm in
Bradford township, which he sold and in 1870 bought the farm he had
long wished to own in Sec. 25, T. 21, R. 10. Since then he has bought
another piece adjoining and now owns a fine farm of 184 acres, which
with the help of a faithful wife and industrious family he has earned
by hard work and careful management.

Singleton W. Riegle, farmer and stock grower, Franklin, though
not one of the early settlers of the county, is one who came to the
prairie without money or means, and by industry and good manage-
ment has made for himself a home and a name for which any man
should have just reason to be proud. He was born in Fredrick county,
Maryland, ISTovember 11, 1831, and in 1837 with his parents, Peter
and Elizabeth (Wilt) Riegle, removed to Adams county, Pennsylvania,
During his early youth his time was spent attending school. At the
age of eighteen he began teaching, which he followed in connection
with attending school till twenty-four years old. In 1859 he came to
Lee county, prospecting with a view of finding a place suited to his
taste for farming. In the fall of the same year he returned to Penn-
sylvania, and on December 28, 1859, was united in marriage with Miss
Caroline M., daughter of David and Margaret (Moritz) Herman, who
was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1838. In the
spring of 1860 Mr. Riegle came to Lee county, rented a farm and en-
gaged in farming. He continued renting till 1868, when, after an ex-
tended tour of prospecting, he finally bought land and permanently
settled on Sec. 10, T. 21, R. 10. In 1876 he built his fine brick resi-
dence, which adds much to improve the appearance of this part of
China township. Mr. Riegle is farming strictly on the principle of
feeding his produce and yearly driving it to market in live stock, thus
constantly keeping his farm up to a high standard of cultivation. His

864 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

home is blessed with six children : Stella M., Willis L., Charlie P.,
Paul S., Yergie C. and Hermione E. Mr. Riegle is a member of the
Masonic and Odd-Fellows fraternities, and himself and wife are mem-
bers of the Lutheran church.

JosiAH Hughes, proprietor Hughes' Hotel, Franklin Grove, was
born in Otsego county, New York, February 17, 1808. His parents
were William and Sallie (Dilly) Hughes, born of English ancestry.
The subject of our sketch spent his early youth in a cotton factory,
where he worked prior to the invention of the first power loom in the
United States. January 1, 1831, he married Miss Lydia, daughter of
Ephraim and Lydia (Wheaton) Barry, who was born in Madison county,
ISTew York, February 16, 1809. In the summer of 181:4: he gathered
up his little means and, with his family and a team, started west,
arriving in Chicago September 30. He at once pushed on t(5 St. Charles,
Illinois, where he bought a farm and engaged in farming. This he
followed, together with teaming, selling stoves and other goods all over
northern Illinois, till 1854, when he sold out his farm and removed to
Lee county, Illinois, where he bought a small farm adjoining what is
now the village of Franklin. Here he at once engaged in the stove
and tinware business, the first of the kind ever started in Franklin.
The year following he built a large stone house and engaged in hotel
keeping. This business he has never abandoned, and is now the oldest
landlord perhaps in Lee county, if not on the jSTorthwestern railroad
between Chicago and Omaha. Of his five children one only is living,
Oscar, born September 22, 1832. He is married to Mary A. Dick.
They have one child, Minnie. Mr. Hughes is the right man in the
right place, as his house is always an enjoyable home for all who choose
to come.

Robert Hullah, farmer and stock raiser, Franklin Grove. As an
illustration of what can be accomplished by an indomitable will and a
determined, persevering push-ahead character, we here give a few brief
points in the life of this worthy citizen of Lee county, who was born
of poor but honest parents in Yorkshire, England, February 14, 1813.
His parents were William and Elizabeth (Sugdon) Hullah, also of
English birth. Until the age of twelve years he was principally engaged
in attending school, after which he was put to farm labor for the space
of three years. At this time it was determined that he should learn
the business of cloth making, and accordingly he was put to the trade,
which he completed in five and a half years. He then, at the age of
twenty-one, began for himself at his trade as a hired hand, and the fall
following his release as an apprentice married Miss Ann, daughter of
William and Sarah Pollard, also of England. By close application to
his business in a few years he became a jobber, but after a time, the

ADDITIONAL MATTER. 865

ti'ade becoming so poor, abandoned it and took what little money he
had saved and embarked in a small mercantile business. He had fol-
lowed this new enterprise but a short time when he found himself in-
solvent and in debt. This failure was brought on by trusting his goods
to men whom he thought honest, but who never paid. Not discour-
aged at finding himself again at the foot of the hill, he went to work
and was soon (with the help of a friend) able to buy a horse and cart.
With this he went to work at odd jobs, and was after awhile able to
buy another horse, and so kept on until he owned a number, and then
went into the railroad business as a contractor. This he followed for
a number years with great success, turning his attention (after paying
his debts) to buying real estate and building houses, till he became the
independent owner of twenty houses, and with a fair prospect of soon
being able to retire to private life. But unfortunately for himself he
again entered into the cloth manufacturing business for the purpose of
teaching the trade to his sons. This time he took into the business
with him two men, friends, who in a few years swindled him out of all
his hard-earned money. Again he gathered together a little means
and started in the old trade of cloth making for the third time. After
following the business closely for a few years he was again successful,
but was induced to sell his goods in India through a commission mer-
chant, by whom he lost his all, and for the third time became bank-
rupt. He then, in 1866, gathered together a few shillings and, with
his family, took passage on the steamship ^Etna for the United States.
After seventeen days' sailing they landed in New York, and pushed
on to Lee county, Illinois, where he at once rented a farm for three
years. Thus he started in what was to him a new business in a strange
country. Before his time expired as a renter he purchased a farm in
Sec. 27, T. 21, E. 10, containing 160 acres, for the sum of $4,000; pay-
ing down $25, the balance to be paid as convenient, with 10 per cent
interest. Some years later he bought 160 acres adjoining it of L. G.
Fish, and now, with his son, Elijah, owns one of the finest farms in
China township. His first wife died in 1853, aged forty-two years.
His second marriage was with Miss Mary Appelby, a native of Leeds,
England. He has five children : Elizabeth, David and Elijah by his
first wife, and Ruth and Josiah by his present wife.

Adam Gkim, M.D., physician and surgeon, Franklin Grove, was
born in Green county, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1850. His early
youth was spent working on a farm and attending school, the latter
occupying three or four months in the winter, till 1868. He then
commenced teaching, which he followed in connection with working
on the farm, handling coke, coal, mining, and attending school at
every opportunity, till he graduated from Duft's College, at Pittsburgh,

866 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Pennsylvania, in 1872. He came to Newman, Douglas county, Illi-
nois, March 1, 1876, and there commenced the study of medicine under
the instruction of J. M. Wagner, M.D. He soon, however, found him-
self without means, and again resorted to teaching and working on a
farm, keeping up his studies at night. He finally entered Rush Med-
ical College, at Chicago, from which he graduated February 22, 1881,
and the next day came to Lee county and engaged in the practice of
his profession, which has been marked with signal success.

ERRATA.

Page 623, line 18, for first letter " W " read " N."

Page 648, line 9, for "he" read "Alcott."

Page 700, line 23, leave out "s" from first name.

FAMILY RECORDS.

FAMILY RECORDS. 867

868

FAMILY RECORDS.

INDEX.

Discovery and Early History 9

Topography of Lee County 18

Rivers and Navigation 22

Natural History 28

To a Waterfowl 30

Geological Formations 31

Early History 33

The'Black Hawk War 39

The Black Hawk Canoes 55

After the Black Hawk War 56

Organization of Lee County 65

Township Organization 71

Progress and Development 73

Internal Improvements 76

Navigation 78

County Buildings 81

Religious Progress 84

Crime 93

City of Dixon 101

City Organization Ill

Dixon Papers 117

Dixon Schools 119

Dixon Hotels 123

Bridges 125

City Churches 128

Other Societies 136

Fire Department 138

Disasters 140

Manufacturing Interests 143

Founder of Dixon 150

Lee County Volunteers '. . 159

Patriotism at Home 172

Dixon Township 173

Town Officers of Dixon Township . . . 176
Old Settlers' Record of Dixon and

Vicinity ... 177

Dixon Volunteers. 185

Biographical 189

Nathan Moorhouse 189

William W. Bethea, James Goble . . 190

Mahlon P. Burket, John Courtwright 191

Isaac Means, Walter Little 192

Lorenzo Wood 193

James C. Mead. 194

Theron Cumins 195

Sherwood Dixon 196

Jonathan N. Hills, James B. Charters 197

John D. Crabtree 198

Samuel C. Eells, Wm. H. Van Epps. 199

William Barge, Jason C. Ayres 200

John V. Thomas 201

Eugene Pinckney, Henry P. Becker . 202

Abalino C. Bardwell 203

A. C. Warner, George Steel: 204

Isaac S. Boardman 207

Joseph Utley, John V. Eustace .... 208

Lester D. Pitcher 209

Daniel B. McKenney, John Dysart. . 210

Frank W. Little, Elias Bovey 211

Obadiah Downing 211

Henry T. Noble 213

Josiah P. Dana. B. F. Shaw 215

John Dement 217

W. W. Heaton, Luke Hitchcock. ... 219

William Uhl 220

David Welty 221

C. W. Latimer, T. P. Hodnett 222

G. W. J. Brown, W. H. Godfrey, . . . 225

Oliver Everett 226

W. McL. Wadsworth, J. B. Pomeroy 227

0. F. Ayres, M. Dornan, J. G. Fleck 228

W. W. "Waters, 0. B. Blackman .... 229

J. A. Hawley 230

W. W. Wynn, C. F. Emerson 231

C. A. Davis, Horace Preston 232

Jacob Brubaker 233

S. K. Upham, Nicholas Plein 234

Samuel Shaw, Henry D. Dement. . . . 235

Thomas McCune, J. B. Brooks 236

Ezra Emmert 237

D. B. Ayres, E. C. Smith 238

C. A. Todd, Josiah Fry 239

Charles Dement 239

C. A. Dement, John Coffey 240

Wm. Plein 240

Geo. G. Rosbrook 243

Sublette Township 243

Early Settlements 244

Township Organization 247

Masonic 249

Churches and Schools 250

War Record 253

Biographical 254

Jonathan Peterson 254

Charlotte (F.) Baird 255

Wm. Dexter 256

Alpheus H. Clink 257

Alpheus Crawford, E. M. Lewis 258

N. F. Swartwout, A. L. Swartwout . 261

C. H. Ingalls 262

Sherman L. Hatch 263

Joel Cook 264

W. W. Ireland, E. W. Patten 265

A. L. Wilder 266

Mrs. Harriet L. Gardner. 266

Frank Thompson, Prescott Bartlett. . 267

Edward Fessenden 268

Warren Clarke, J. D. Tourtillott .... 270

Newton Stanard 271

S. F. Baird, C. D. Hubbard 273

870

INDEX.

James Black, C. M. Miller 273

0. A. Wood, J. C. Spielman 274

Ja.cob Richert 275

C. Blester, J. H. Scliwoub 276

F. Oberhelman 276

Elijah Austin, S. D. Reniff 277

T. S. Angler 278

Philip Fauble 279

Amboy Township 279

Squatters' Association 284

Banditti 296

Organization 302

Public Improvements 303

Schools 305

Religious 306

Binghamton 310

Rocky Ford and Shelburn 313

City of Amboy 314

Incorporation 321

Illinois Central Railroad Buildings. . 324

Fires 329

Education 332

Churches 334

Organizations 343

Temperance 350

Journalism in Amboy 353

Tornado 354

Biographical 359

Joseph B. Appleton 359

Samuel E. Appleton 360

Elisha Manning, Charles A. Wilcox. 363
Alfred H. Egan, John B. Felker. ... 364

Lyman C. Wheat 365

Calvin D. Vaughn, Henry E. Badger 366

Chester Badger 367

F. R. Dutcher, John C. Church 368

The Little Family, E. R. Travers. ... 369

W. H. Badger 371

Isaac Edwards 371

R. H. Mellen, Lemuel Bourne 372

E. E. Chase 372

J. B. Graves, D. W. Slauter 373

C. M. Butler, W. B. Stuart 374

A. W. Spafard 375

E. A. Wilcox, John Gunning 376

W. H. McGraw, I. S. Smith 377

H. T. Ford 378

Charles Tait, C. H. Marston 379

H. S. Wyman, G. C. Stone ......... 380

William B. Andrus 381

Simon Badger .882

0. A. Comstock, A. J. Poland 383

Philip Flack, G. H. McFatrich 384

C. W. Bell, G. W. Freeman 385

J. E. Lewis 386

C. W. Deming, J. Slauter, F. J. Mer-

row 387

J. H. Long 388

B. Smith, G. F. Morgan 389

A. E. Merwine, R. W. Rosier 390

M. Egan, B. B. Howard 391

E. S. Reynolds, H. Chapin, F. F.

Northway 392

John Trude 393

H. A. Millard, A. H. Wooster 394

A. B. Searles 397

CarolineiA. Bai-tlett 398

D. S. Clark, W. N. Fasoldt 399

M. Maus 400

W. H. Hale 400

J. M. Blocher 401

0. Spangler 402

J. H. Preston 402

George Ryon 403

Lewis Clapp 404

W. E. Ives, C. D. Dixon 405

John Hook 406

C. M. Robbins, Jacob Luce 407

Jason Chamberlain 408

C. F. Bridgman 409

S. W. Holmes, G. D. Baird 410

N. Burnham, 0. M. Clark 411

F. H. Chapin, H. C. Shaw 412

B.Treadwell.W. I. Fish, D. C. Badger 413

D. Petticrew, W. H. Dresser 414

Carl Hegert 415

Lee Center Township 415

Village of Lee Center 417

Churches 418

Robberies, Casualties 419

Biographical 420

C. F. Ingalls 420

L. B. Rix, E. Morey, J. Derr, M. Crom-

bie 421

T. Nicholson, 0. M. Lewis, "s. Trow-
bridge, L. Compton, C. Wellman. . 422
L. C. Sawyer, W. Salsbury, E. Wood-
bridge 423

V. Bliss 423

J. Wedlock, W. D. Clink, J. W. Win-
bolt, E. Whitney, J. A, Hodges. ... 424
S. Shaw, J. W. D. Blake, C. E. Loomis, 425

Brooklyn Township 426

Villages 427

War Record 428

Biographical 428

J. P. Johnston 428

D.Miller, H. H. Miller, S. P. Fairchilds 431

A. V. Christiance, A. Gilmore, 0. P.
Johnston 432

B. F. Holdren, J. F. Clapp 433

J. W. Dorn, J. P. Anglemier, S. W.

Carnahan, T. D. Yocum 434

S. Argraves, M. M. Avery 435

A. J. Carnahan, L. Compton, H. Car-
nahan, D. Holdren 436

Nelson Township , 437

Biographical 439

A. Coggswell, W. Groover, W. Covert, 439

C. F. Hubbard, S. Stone 440

J. Harden, L. F. Long, A. Hubbard. . 441

Elijah Walker 442

Harmon Township 442

Biographical 443

S. Ackert, G. W. Hill 443

J. T. Swan, T. Sutton, A. C. Welch,

W. E. Mechem, L. Hullinger 444

W. H.Allen 445

A. Berlin, A. B. Smith, J. Hetler. ... 446

Bradford Township 447

Biographical 450

W. S. Frost 450

W. S. Frost, Ira Brewer 451

L. T. Wellman 452

INDEX.

871

H. A. Williamson, P. Runyan 453

P. Eisenberg, L. Baldwin 454

Catherine E. Aschenbrenner 454

R. Gross, 0. Reinhart 455

B. 'Albrecht, E. W. Pomeroy 459

South Dixon Township 457

Schools 458

Literary and Debating Societies 459

Eldena Village 460

Biographical 460

Abram Brown 460

Daniel Brown 461

Jacob Groh, 0. E. Fellows 462

W. J. Fritz, H. Uhl 465

E. Fritz, D. W. Bailey, J. Mostoller,
Isaac Seitz 466

F. Glessner, J. SennefF 467

May Township 468

Biographical 470

John McGinn, Peter Lannen 470

J ohn Darcy, P. McCann 471

Andrew Kessler 472

J. G. Hall, G. Ash 473

S. W. Avery, T. Boyd 474

H. Fitzpatrick 475

P. McMahon, W. Cullen. 476

M. Barron, W. Dolan 477

Marion Township 478

Biographical 479

Geo. Keith, A. McCrystal, B. Brooks, 479

C. E. Abell, J. R. Hawkins, F. H.
Church 480

Palmyra Township 480

Early History 482

Prairieville 488

Biographical 489

J. C. Jacobs 489

John H. Page and family 491

F. N. Parks 493

G. A. Tucker, W. A. Kintner, W. L.
Rogers 494

M. D. Hubbard, C. F. Furley 495

T. Wilson, M. W. Brauer, W. Mc-

Gaffey 496

S. T. Martin, H. E. Johnson 499

C. Lawton, J. P. Goodrich, C. A. Guyot 500

S. R. Rutt, B. Stauffer 501

H. S. Fischer, E. Hughes 502

H. Decker. Diana Warn, J. H. Mc-

Wethy 504

D. A. Holly 505

E. H. Johnson 505

C. A. Martin, A. Goodwin 506

J. Martin, M. Schick 507

J. L. Lord, C. A. Becker 508

W. Myers, E. B. Chase 509

J. L. Klostermann, G. Rickert 510

J. F. Stager, J. T. Lawrence 511

C. B. Thummel, A. E. Thummel,

A. A. Beede 512

F. Hutton, D. G. Book 513

A. Harms, R. E. Johnson, H. Miller. . 514

B. Miller, A. R. Rutt 515

R. C. Peck, W. Seavey, T. A. Butler. . 516

E. A. Hughes 517

Nachusa Township 517

Early Settlements 518

Village of Nachusa 521

Churches 523

Biographical 523

Jonathan Depuy 523

J. A. Heaton . . 524

Z. T. Stover, D. Johnson 525

W. W. Darker, S. Crawford 526

W. H. Fiscel, J. P. Brubaker 527

B. Kesler and family 528

J. Hill 530

A. P. Dysart 530

W. C. Dysart, W. Dysart 533

John Leake 534

Thomas Leake 535

J. C. Leake, H. Wingert, J. W. Win-

gert 536

J. Wingert, J. Heckman, D.N. Strat-

ton 537

S. Miller, J. B. Eicholtz 538

S. A. Bender, J. Atkinson, S. Boyer. . 539

C. Burkett, E. Hart 540

F. Miller, J. M. Allwood 541

J. M. Crawford, J. H. Abbott 542

L Brink, J. R. Merrill 543

William Garrison 544

The Hausen family 544

G. Palmer, J. H. Burkett 545

J. Wertman, T. J. Wertman, W.

Brandon 546

J. Emmert, M McNeel 547

J. Eicholtz, J. Hittle 548

C. Harrington, J. Garrison 549

A. Depuy, G. J. Hitt, H. Bothe 550

I. Slothower 551

Alto Township 551

Organization 552

Creameries 553

Schools, Churches, Lodges 554

Steward 555

Biographical 557

Wesley Steward 557

Gardner W. Thompson 557

T. J. Lawton 558

W. H. Tibals, H. P. Bly, J. P. Bly. . . 559

V. W. Wells, M. L. Barnett 560

0. L Selgelid, V. A. Billion, J. Sever-

son, J. J. Patterson 561

W. E. Hemenway, A. H. Todd, M.

Miller 562

M. Cook, H. Southard, C. B. Davis. . 563
W. T. Preston, H. W. Dunning, Caro-
line Hill 564

C. Osmundson, W. S. Herrick 567

H. Van Patten, W. F. Carpenter. ... 568

G. F. Henning, H. A. Robinson 569

Reynolds Township. . . . 569

Organization 570

Churches 571

Biographical 572

Martha E. Sandbrock, M. Wagner. . . 573

J. Trotter, G. Boley 574

C. Gooch, Margaret Vaupel 575

J. Griese, E. Wiener, H. Speek 576

J. A. Griese, Lydia A. Horton 577

China Township 578

Tragedy, Schools 581

Organization 582

8T2

INDEX.

Military 583

Franklin Grove 584

Incorporation 586

Secret Societies 588

Religious 590

Schools 593

Biographical 594

Nathan Whitney 594

A. R. Whitney, W. Dysart 595

S. Dysart, B. F. Dysart 596

A. Hussey, G. H. Taylor 597

U. C. Roe 598

C. Durkes, E. A. Wood 601

H. A. Black, T. W. Scott 602

W. C. Robinson, D. R. Minor 603

D. F. Lahman, I. Zug 604

J. D. Sitts, D. B. Senger, J. Hughes. . 605
G. F. Fishback, J. L. Strock, J. Blocher 606

L. M. Blaisdell, 0. G. Smith 607

Joshua Lahman, Joseph Lahman. . . . 608

G.W.Hewitt 609

J. Leake, W. Graves 610

Viola Township 611

Schools 612

Officers 613

Biographical 613

M. W. Harrington 613

Catharine J. Gray 614

W. W. Gilmore 614

Margaretta H. Barr 614

M. B. Van Campen, J. M. Abell .... 614

C. F. Van Patten 615

J. Merrill, B. F. Johnson, E. Adrian . . 616

H. B. Cobb, C. Noe 619

Ashton Township 620

Ashton Bank 622

N. A. Petrie and S. F. Mills 623

S. Beach, J. King 624

P. Plantz, M. Beach 625

Riley Paddock, E. Anderson 626

H. Saunders, A. A. Heckart, J. A. An-

drus 627

Hamilton Township 628

Schools 630

East Grove Township 631

Wyoming Township 640

Incidents 655

Patriotism 658

Tragedies ... 659

Schools 664

Pioneer Preachers, Postoffice 666

Organization and Statistics 667

Paw Paw 668

Newspapers 675

Churches 676

Sunday Schools. _. 678

Fraternal Organizations 678

Physicians 681

An American Elephant 683

East Paw Paw 684

South Paw Paw 687

Biographical 692

John Colvill 692

William McMahan 693

Israel F. Hallock 694

J. Rosenberger, A. B. Clapp 695

0. W. Bryant 696

Daniel Pine ,

John Edwards

Almeron Potter, E. A. Stanton

J. Beemer, F. M. Case

W. M. Strader

J. Baker, F. E. Rogers

A. Merriman, A. May

Lowren Sprague ,

I.E. Hunt

J, H. BrafFet

T. D. Palmer, A. H. Rosenkrans. . . ,

I H. L. Roberts, W. P. Hampton

j B. J. Agler

i A Florence, C. Qiiackenbush ,

T. W. Marble

0. Marble, H. D. Merwine

A. R. Harp

J. Little, G. S. Hunt

Ira Baker

J. B. Briggs

S. A. Abbott

M. R. Reams, A. Field, A. Siglin . . .

S. C. Mitchell

J. Patrick, A. Prentice

G. W. Miller, A. C. Radley . ........

N. Lane, F. H. ChafFe

L. Potter, J. Brittain

W. J. Brittain, W. Mayor, L. Jones.

W. A. Pratt

J. Hendershot, S. Bunker . .

J. N. Jacoby, H. Lewis

G. W. Lindsey, W. M. Geddes

J. W. Mayor

W. C. Bryant, Pierce & Barringer . .

E. Swarthout, W. C. Runyan

William Merrell

H. H. Harrington, T. H. Stetler . . . .

G. T. Noe, B.J. Wheeler

A. G. Fowler

Jesse Brittain

C. Pierce, J. H. Thompson

John Allen

Mrs. Susan P. Detamore

W. M. Sproul

W. Moftatt & Bro., J. Buchanan. . . .

John Harding •

E.G. Cass

J. Fonda, J. Epla

Lester Harding

D. M. Harris. \

W. A. Conant, I. B. Berry

Willow Creek Township

Germans, Norwegians

Pioneer Facts

Educational

Post-offices, Pioneer Woi'ship

Political and War History

Tornado

Country Churches

Village of Lee ....

Biographical

Robert Smith

David Smith

N. A. Nettleton .'

L. M. Fail-child, L. E. Durin

E. W. Holton

D. Davenport, A. Glasspoole

698

699

700

701

702

704

705

706

709

709

710

711

712

713

714

715

716

717

718

719

720

721

722

723

724

727

728

729

730

731

732

733

734

735

736

737

738

739

740

741

743

745

747

747

749

750

752

753

754

755

756

757

766

768

770

772

778

776

778

783

786

786

788

789

790

791

792

INDEX.

873

C. Vandeventer 793

J. C. Howlett 794

H. G. Howlett 795

S. W. Weeks, W. H. Bryant 797

0. G. Jelle, Edwin Edwards 798

William Grove, L. P. Boyd 799

John Tetter 800

G. L. Erbes, George Erbes 801

0. W. Oleson, Amund Hilleson 802

Henry Barnhard, R. J. Thompson. . . 803

J. B. Fisher, W. Dunkelberger 804

L. P. Smith, H. L. Hilleson 805

J. E. Miller, Andrew Stubbs 806

Nathaniel C. Allen 807

Noah W. Davenport 808

G. A. Brittain, S. Vosburgh 809

Thomas Nelson, C. B. Bacon 810

Lars Larsen Risetter 811

Henry Stevens 812

Jacob .Edwards, S. B. Miller 813

Ralph Kettley, James Thompson. . . . 814

Patrick H. Daugherty 815

Adam Miller, 0. J. Heng 816

George MuUins 817

Charles Childs 818

Additional Matter 819

John W. Wodsworth 819

James Santee, D. R. Bowles 820

B. B. Higgins, J. A. Wernick 821

E. B. Stilee 822

Richard B. Loveland 823

J. M. Santee, The Hetlers 824

Jeremiah Hetler, T. J. Buckaloo .... 825

S. Fuller, W. Depuy 826

Joseph Crawford 827

N. A. Cortright, W. P. Cortright. . . 828
J. B. Dille 828

C. C. Hunt 829

D. W. McKenney, P. Atkins, J. Hess 833

G. M. Berkley 834

H. C. Higgins, J. W. Reardon 835

Harriet Garrison 835

Alex. Charters, H. C. Brookner 836

E. H. & D. B. Raymond 837

H. E.Williams 837

B. W. Harnish, R. J. Drynan 838

F. Seavey 838

W. W. Tilton 839

Abijah Powers 839

C. H. Hughes, John B. Wyman .... 841

P. H. Shock 843

Daniel Reichart, H. P. Parks 844

James L. McGinnis 845

P. L. Brecunier, T. Paddock 846

J. C. Bowers, Kmcaid Runyan 847

H. E. Chadwick, D. Sanford, H. Bly, 848

M. Hardesty, E. M. Blair 849

A. J. Tompkins, J. H. Ives 850

A. P. Wasson, B. Wasson 851

T. Brown, S. A. Griswold 852

The Reinharts, The Hansens 853

S. C. Hansen 854

W. Forbes, H. W. Hillison 855

G. W. Martin 855

L. W. Hale, Thomas Gilbert 856

A. Gilbert, Thomas Gilbert 857

G. Gilbert, J. W. Pankhurst 858

W.G.Bell 858

L. F. Ramsdell, E. A. Bliss 859

Jacob Riddels barger, J. L. Miller . . . 860

J. D. Lahraan, Charles Brackett 861

Ezra Withey 862

J. Seebach, S. W. Riegle 863

Josiah Hughes, Robert Hullah 864

Adam Grim 865

Errata , 866

Family Records 866

SAUK VALLEY CC LIBRARY

3 1516 00016 2758

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547

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67667
History of Lee County

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547

67667

5 History of Lee County

SAUK VALLEY COLLEGE LIBRARY
Dixon. IL 61021

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N. MANCHESTER.
INDIANA J

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